I, Alice Jenkins Christensen, daughter of John and Mary Oviatt Jenkins, was born September 28, 1872 in the early history of Newton, Utah.  My older brother William E. was the first child born in Newton.  His older brother, John F., the 1st child, was born at his mother's, Ruth Bennett Oviatt's, home in Farmington, Utah.  Her husband, Ira Oviatt, was a blacksmith, carpenter and wheelwright.  He was called by Brigham Young to remain at council bluffs, Iowa to assist the emigrants in crossing or fording the Missouri River.  Sometimes [he] was in the cold water most of the time for several days [from] which later he suffered with rheumatic fever.  They settled in Farmington where he met and married Mary Oviatt, daughter of Ira and Ruth Bennett Oviatt.  Their first child John F. was born in Farmington [at] the home of their parents.  They then moved to Newton where there was only a one roomed log house which belonged to Os and Joe Myler, later, the Mylers moved to Clarkston.

Thomas Hughs, carpenter blacksmith & wheelwright, at Farmington came up and helped build our a Rock house for my father and mother with two rooms, living room and bed room, later a slope was added to the back which served as kitchen & milk & cheese room as they had milk cows and made cheese and butter & churned in the tall churn with a up & down stroke of the center piece which sometimes lasted for a long time before it came to butter.  I worked both in the house and help with out door chores & milk cows, herding sheep around home & other things.  When Lewiston was first settled it was mostly people from Farmington who moved up there in the spring and back to Farmington to Winter and always stayed at our home over night at least on each move.  That meant giving up our beds for their convenience.

Well I enjoyed my girlhood days.  We all worked & played together.  My parents too were good sports.  Father played the violin & his brother William accompanied him at dances, and we danced in our large living room & had an open house to all visitors.  [End of Page. Is there more somewhere?]
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[The following article, in Alice's handwriting, was with, but does not appear to be a direct continuation, of the above article. ERG]

My mother had 10 children: John, Wm.E., Alice, Eva, Lewis, Ruth, Edmond, Bell, Philip & Rhoda.
I, Alice Jenkins Christensen [Barker], was born September 28th in Newton, Utah daughter of John and Mary Oviatt Jenkins, formerly of Farmington, Utah.

 I was the eldest daughter of John and Mary Oviatt Jenkins, in a family of ten -10- children 5 boys and five girls.  I had two older brothers John F. and William Evan when we grew up they served as escorts and companions for me at dances outings,  sleigh riding house parties fun.  In early days we had to sponsor many of their own entertainments at home or in the ward.  My parents were among the leaders and sports who help entertain in home as we had the largest & best home far such gatherings.  When there was no other suitable place in early days all of which we enjoyed very much.

As children were among the leaders in ward activities.  P. S. our meeting house burned down about this time as later and fast meetings were held at our home.  My sister Bell was blessed at our home.  I held her at that time.

My brother Wm. E. & I attended the B.Y. College at Logan together.  When Profs. J. H. Paul, was Pres. & Wm. Keer, Todd, Apperley & other good Profs. held sway.

I was married to Chris Christensen March (7th) seventh 1894 in the Logan Temple,  There was a good coat of snow on the ground so we drove in a sleigh over to Logan the day before and went to the court house for our marriage license then went down to his sister's, Mr & Mrs Elmer (Zina) Johnsons to spend the night.
Early next morning we were up had a light breakfast then drove up to temple where we were married.  (March 7th seventh 1894).

That evening when we drove home My Mother had a wedding dinner (as evening dinner) prepared with our family & some friends gathered to greet us .  My brother Wm. E., my elder brother whom was always my guide and companion in school and at home came in with a set of knives and forks strung on a stick with a string and shook them over the table where the gifts were placed.  Some of them fell off and broke one of the most beautiful plates, but I felt he was so proud of his lovely gift that I felt sorry for him.  He felt so bad at the misfortune, but we received so many beautiful gifts.  We had no trouble in setting up house keeping.
Three daughters were born to us viz. Vera, Evelyn and Lucile.  All very efficient & beautiful girls.

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[The following is a separate article:]

(I went to Seattle with LuDean & Ariel)
1956            (Sunshine Terrace)

I left home Thursday 20 June '57 to stay with Eldon and family in Ogden.  On Saturday, 22 June Eldon and family took me to Dee's place (home).  We went from there to the 40th Ward for a fund raising program and dinner.  On June 25th the we went to Ada May's brother's place where we celebrated Bryce's Birthday Anniversary, Birthday cake etc. in the evening we drove up the canyon to Pine View Reservoir before coming home (up Ogden Canyon).  This reservoir is drinking water for Ogden City.  A beautiful place in the Canyon.

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 [Following is another typed draft article I have:]

She was born September 28th 1872 at Newton, Utah.  The eldest of John and Mary Oviatt Jenkins.  She had nine brothers and sisters, (John, William E., Eva, Lewis, Ruth, Edmond, Belle, Phillip and Rhoda) and 25 half brothers and sisters.  (Her father practiced polygamy under the LDS Church doctrine of the time and had three wives.)

She was very active in church and community activities during her childhood and youth.  (She was, for example, appointed councilor of the President of the YWMIA at the age of 14).  Her schooling was in the local district school and 2 years (1891-93) at the Brigham Young College in Logan.  Throughout her life, education was one of her highest values.

On March 7, 1894 she was married to Christian Christensen in the Logan LDS Temple.  They homesteaded near, and made their home in, Newton.  Their farming operations were very successful.  He was called to a Mission for the LDS Church in England.  He left her with two small children and the farm to manage for two years (May 1899 to June 1901).  Immediately upon his return form that mission they built a new home of which she was very proud.  He served for 25 years as councilor to the Newton Ward Bishopric and she never missed an opportunity to 'put up' visiting Church officials.  (e. g. Apostle George Albert Smith, Pres (YWMIA) Martha Tingey).

A very active and social woman, she was prominent in church and civic organizations such as the MIA, Relief Society, Red Cross, 4-H Club, and Farm Bureau.  She was an organizer and first Captain of the John Jenkins Camp of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers.

Three daughters were born of Christian and Alice Christensen.  Vera (Born Jan 3, 1895; died Feb. 13, 1913); Evelyn (Born Nov. 22, 1896); and Lucile (Born July 8, 1898; died July 26, 1898).  Evelyn married Royal Griffin and through this daughter Alice had 6 Grand Children.  At the time of this writing (Jan. 1969) there are 4 surviving grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren, and 6 great-great grandchildren.

Christian Christensen died Feb. 3 1924.  Following his death, Alice lived a very different life.  Her farm was rented out and she travelled.  She made a 3-month tour of the East.  Most of this trip was spent in visiting her Mothers relatives in Pennsylvania where she gathered genealogical information about the Oviatt family.  Later she spent several Winters in California.  She then spent one winter as house-mother and cook for the Theta Upsilon Sorority in Logan and another with the Sorosis group.  For about 15 years she was housekeeper-governess for a number of Logan families.  (Dr. H. R. McGee, Dr. S.M. Budge, Julia Howell, Seth Blair, Dr. J. W. Eliasen, Dr. J. C. Hayward).

On August 17, 1947 she married William J. Barker, a retired widower of Newton.  They spent that winter in Mesa, Arizona and touring the South West.  Following this they lived in Mr. Barker's home in Newton until his death January 8th 1956.  She then moved to the home of her daughter, Evelyn, in Logan.  Her later years were spent in a rest home where she was comfortable and well cared for.

[Editor's note:  After many years of severe mental loss Alice Jenkins died 22 Oct 1969, at a Salt Lake City hospital at age 97 years and 24 days.  She was buried 25 Oct 1969 at Newton, Utah. -- ERG]

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[The following was copied on 2 Aug 1994 from a handwritten draft of what appears to be her obituary which can probably be found in the Logan Herald Journal newspaper.  She died at Salt Lake City 22 Oct 1969 at the age of 97 years and 24 days.  She was buried at Newton Cemetery 25 Oct 1969.]

"Alice Jenkins Christensen Barker, 96 of Newton.

Born at Newton, Sept 28, 1872; the daughter of John and Mary Oviatt Jenkins.

She was a member of the LDS Church and was for many years active in church & civic activities.  YLMIA; Relief Society, Red Cross, 4H Club & Farm Bureau.  She was an organizer & first Captain of the John Jenkins Camp of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers.  She attended the B. Y. College at Logan in the years 1891-1893.

She was married to Christian L. Christensen in the Logan Temple, March 7, 1894.  They homesteaded and farmed in Newton.  He died Feb. 3, 1924.  Three daughters were born to them; Vera, Evelyn and Lucile.  She married William J. Barker Aug 19, 1947.  He died Jan. 8, 1956 (at age 89).

She is survived by a daughter, Mrs Evelyn Griffin, Logan; 2 sisters, Mrs. Frank (Ruth) Bracken, Logan and Mrs. Leroy (Belle) Sparks, Logan; and two brothers (Edmond Jenkins, Calif., and Phil Jenkins, Star Valley, Wyo.
4 grand children
23 Great grand children
6 Great-great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Sat 2 PM at Hall Mortuary 34 East, Center, Logan.
Burial will be in the Newton Cemetery."
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 [Note: The following was on the next page of the notebook:]

"A member of the LDS Church she was councilor to the Newton Y.L.M.I.A. at 14 (1886) and later served as President of that organization.  She served at various times as Sunday School and Primary teacher, Gleaner leader and in the Ward Relief Society.  Her civic activities included 4-H Club leader & Farm Bureau activities.  She was the President of the Red Cross in Newton during World War I.  She was one of the organizers of and 1st Captain of the John Jenkins Camp of the D.U.P.

After the death of her first husband she spent a number of years in Logan.  She served as Housemother to the Theta Upsilon Sorority and as Housekeeper-Governess for a number of Logan Physicians.

For over 40 years she was local (Newton, ERG) correspondent for the Logan Journal-Cache American.

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[Following is page 7 of a hand written history of Alice.  I found it with her family reunion notes.  I have no idea where the rest of it is. -- ERG]

7) "if I would come I would always have a good job, so I went and they treated so well and sent me lovely gifts when ever their children rec. any thing I was sure to get some thing nice too.  When they returned another Dr. in the clinic would go east for 6(?) weeks, & I would the house mother for them.  then each Dr. had 2 weeks vacation and I would go there etc. from one place to another and being a leading Dr's clinic I soon became very popular as this continued for 8 or 10 yr.  Never had a minutes trouble with any of their children and rec. a steady wage with good homes & lovely people for 10 years of more so I rented my farm and did not go home again to live for many years and then just to look after things and rest for a short time.

Later I got to going to other leading peoples homes and church leaders such as bishop Nibbley's, Mrs. Ellen Eccles' daughters, and many others which I enjoyed very much, after a time.  Then I spent my summers at home and went to Los Angeles 5 months in the fall winters returning for conference. I had a niece, Myra Jenkins, there stake Pres of the gleaner girls organization of the Los Angeles Stake with Veda Eccles Savage as stake leader & her husband stake pres so I was invited to Sake banquets and leading parties & socials as well as meetings.  during the summers I was home I was chosen as captain of the Daughters of Pioneers the first organization in the Newton ward, In

1st officers Alice Christensen Captain
Zina Hansen and Stena Nelson
Mary Ann Jenkins Sec, Treasurer
Evelyn Griffin organist  Della Griffin, Assistant"

 [THAT'S ALL I COULD FIND-- ERG]
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 I, Eldon Griffin, would like to add an anecdote Grandma once told me when she was very old.

Grandma Alice told me that when she was a girl she was living with John Jenkins, her father, and his wife Maria on his dairy farm north of Clarkston, Ut. (I guess this is what they called the Big Meadow).  They made cheese and sold it in Ogden.  The federal marshals were trying to catch him and arrest him for practicing polygamy.  Their cabin was on a slope and they could see far to the south.  If the marshals were coming her father would get on his horse and ride over the mountain to Malad.  (When she told me this I didn't realize the family connections to Malad, Idaho or the legal jurisdiction factors).  Anyway, one day, the marshals caught them by surprise and Great Grandfather Jenkins was in the cabin when they came.  Grandma, Alice, wrapped him up in the bedding and stood him in the corner.  The marshals came in, looked for him and left without finding him.

I'd also like to add that Grandma, (Alice) lived to be very old (96).  She was always very physically active.  During my life I never knew her to have a car or telephone.  She lived on the north west corner of town and had to walk wherever she went, unless someone gave her a ride.  Even so, she was still able to keep abreast of everything that happened in town for the newspaper article she wrote.  She was always picking up dead sticks which fell from her big silver poplar trees to kindle a fire for cooking and heat.  Her mind died long before her body.  She must have had Alzheimer disease.  When I'd visit her in a rest home she would say, "Who are you".  "I'd say, "I'm Eldon", and she'd say, "I knew you were one of the Jenkins boys.  I guess they are all married now".  She thought I was one of her many brothers, and they had all been married for many years.  She would ask the same questions repeatedly such as, "How many children do you have now?".  It was really sad to see her that way.  She was put in several different rest homes from Logan to Salt Lake and eventually she lay in a coma in a Salt Lake hospital for several months on "life support" until she died.

The original, hand written copies of the above articles are in the possession of and were edited (spelling corrected) and copied by:
Eldon R. Griffin
555 So. Main
Garland, Utah 84312
(801) 257-3921
September 21, 1994

  Alice Clarissa Jenkins was born 28 Sep 1872 in Newton, Utah.  She was the third child and first daughter of John Jenkins and Mary Oviatt.  She lived most all of her life in Newton.  On 06 Oct 1887 she married Christian Laramie Christensen.  They were later sealed in the Logan Temple...on 07 March 1894.  Three daughters were born to Alice.  Vera Marzella on 03 Jan 1895.  She died when she was 18 years old...in 1913.  Mabel Evelyn was born on 22 Nov 1896.  The third daughter died just a few weeks after her birth on 08 Jul 1898.  She was named Alice Lucile.

  My grandfather died the month that I was born (Feb. 1924).  Being the fourth child and almost four years younger than my sister, also being that my grandmother thought that I looked a lot like the daughter that died in her teens...I was elected, often to spend time with my grandmother.

  I remember her big red brick home that stood on the edge of town.  It was two blocks from my parents home...over a hilly, dusty road that we traversed almost daily.  The large lot surrounding the house was covered with stately silver poplar trees.  These trees were wonderful to swing on and climb.  We also loved to carve our initials on the smooth white bark of the younger branches.  These trees made grandmothers house so cold that even in July, she would have "a little fire to cut the chill".

  Grandmother was an excellent cook and loved to entertain.  I remember her hanging out her paper Japanese lanterns to light the lawn for many ward parties, wedding receptions, or what ever.  While I was too young to attend many of these functions...I loved being in the background.

  Grandmother loved mysteries and horror stories.  She often related the story of the Bear River Bridge going down just after they had crossed, taking with it a carriage that they were racing.  I was horrified at her tales and found myself being very frightened if I awoke and found that she was gone.  This happened fairly often as she was and early riser and would run errands while I was still asleep.  I remember sleeping on her back porch which was screened in.  One night after getting us to sleep, she left home.  We heard a noise and in our fright my cousin, Carma Jenkins, and dragged my little brother, Eldon, all the way to my parents home.  We went four blocks to go on lighted streets.  Poor little Eldon had some pretty badly skinned knees from our dragging him between us.  Mother wasn't too pleased.

  The year that I turned nine, and Dee eight years old, Grandmother took us with her to Salt Lake City to June Conference.  We stayed at the New Ute Hotel just across the street from Temple Square.. It was the first time we had been to the city. ...and the thrill of our young lives.

She even took us to Salt Air, riding on the Bamberger railroad.  Salt air was a large amusement park on the Great Salt Lake... and included a large open-air ballroom.  This great trip was climaxed by Dee's baptism in the Logan Temple upon our return.

 
  Many cold winters Grandmother went to Los Angeles, California.  She loved California and made many friends there.  We delighted in receiving our Christmas presents from her through the mail.  I especially remember receiving a doll with patterns for making clothes.  My next christmas she made an entire wardrobe for the doll...I was in little girl heaven!  Grandmother also made many of my clothes.  I'm certain that mother appreciated it...but I'm afraid that I wasn't as appreciative, as she "fitted" them to me...and I hated standing still for what I deemed to be eternities.

  Other memories of Grandmother are of attending the Jenkins and Christensen family reunions.  Grand affairs with many, many relatives.  They lasted two or three days...and although I never quite knew where everyone fit in the family...they were highlights in our lives.  I also had the opportunity of going to Freedom, Wyoming with Grandmother to visit her three brothers.  They were sent there to look after one of their father's three wives.

  Grandmother was very active in church and civic affairs...I know that she was YWMMIA President.  I recall young people coming to her home to put together skits, play, etc.  She believed that you should always excel.  She tried vainly to have me learn to play the piano.  (I preferred to be out climbing her trees) and didn't relish the idea of being president of anything...which seemed to be her goal.  The DUP was an important part of her life.  She was proud of her heritage and remembered the travails of her parents...living with polygamy families...having her father cross the plains seven times to bring members of the church to Utah...and having her husband leave her with two small daughters to care for while he served a mission in England.  It was the accepted way of life in the early days of the church.

  Doctors and their families considered Grandmother part of their family as she took over their homes when they went away to study..etc.  She was known as "Aunt Alice" and they revered her.

  When Grandmother was in her sixties she got cancer of the breast and had it surgically removed.  She had x-ray treatments following the surgery ...and never had a recurrence.  However, following this surgery it was the first I remember her looking "old".

  After 23 years of widowhood, my grandmother remarried.  Her second husband was William Barker.  They were married in August of 1947.  Bro. Barker owned the grocery store in Newton.  He was getting along in years...and I believe had a bit of a time keeping up with Grandmother.

  After Bro. Barker's death, and as she advanced in age, it became necessary for my mother to take grandmother into her home.  Old age made her forgetful and it was a challenge for my Mom to keep finding the belongings that were hidden around the house.  As my mother was working, and grandmother became dangerous to leave alone, mother finally put her into a nursing home.  Sometime later, she moved her to one in Salt Lake City.  By then Grandmother did not remember our visits.  This remarkable lady, in the days when a broken hip in old age meant certain death, not only lived, but in no time was running up and down the halls of the hospital.  She finally had a stroke and became unconscious...but, with tube feedings, lived for many months.  She died in 1969.

  A nephew, Arbon Christensen, said of my grandmothers heritage...you could put a Jenkins alone in the desert on a rock and they would find a way to survive...I've always thought of that in reference to my grandmother ...she was a survivor, a doer, and a goer.  She believed that she could do anything and she set her mind to and did it...

[Copied with minor spelling edits September 21, 1994 by Eldon R. Griffin, Ludean's brother.  Ludean's appraisal of Grandma is very accurate.]
 

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