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- [S36] Web Site.
Horace Holley (Dairyman) was born on 1 Mar 1890 in Slaterville, Weber, Utah. He died on 5 Jan 1973 in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah. He was buried on 9 Jan 1973 in Ogden, Weber, Utah. His Social Security Number was 528-10-0598. His last residence was Ogden, Weber, Utah as reported on the Social Security Death Index. A SHORT SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF HORACE HOLLEY
(This history was written by my Grandfather Horace Holley in 1965. I have
corrected most of the spelling errors but have left the rest alone. The
final page of the history is missiing-- but the original is in the
possession of his daughter, Lucile Foster,)
Born March 1, 1890 in Slaterville, Weber County, Utah, a son of Henry C.
and Amanda Jame Knight Holley. Born in a two room doby house on Pioneer
road, our neighbors were: Mother's uncle Alme Richardson and Aunt Ellen,
on the west: cousin Alme Richardson Jr. and wife on the south west; John
R. Manning and wife on the east and Richard Howell and wife Mary across
the street to the north; this property consisted of twelve acres of land.
I started to school in the Perry school district, the district being named
after Stephen Perry, one of the oldest residents of the district.
When I was Four years old my father purchased 67 acres of land from
grandfather, Henry Holley, it was about 2 1/2 miles east of our first
home; this proberty is situated exactly on the north-east corner of
Slaterville, and there I spent the remainder of my boy-hood days, and from
there I attended school, about 1 and 1/2 miles away, if we went on a
straight line from home, which we usually did; when the trail got too wet
or the "Four Mile Creek" overflowed its banks, so we could not cross, we
rode a horse, or hitched it to a cart, which five of us were crowded into.
And when we reached the school we would turn the horse (Old Spot),
homeward , and she would return home with the cart without a driver.
At the William H, Manning home, and in Mill Creek, on Sunday the 3rd of
July, 1898 I was baptised into the Chruch of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints, by my Father, and Confirmed a Member of the Chruch the same day by
my Grandfather, John Knight, in Sacrament Meeting.
I was ordained a Deacon at Twelve years of age and soon after was set
apart as a member of the presidency of the Deacons quorum, with Arnold
Slater and Guy Allred; I remained in this position until I was old enough
to be a Priest.
It was customary for the Deacons to do the janitorial work, so that many
Deacons were retained as Deacons, so the janitor work would be taken care
of properly, for that reason I never was Ordained a Teacher in the
Priesthood.
At eleven years of age I was stricken with T.B. of my hip joint, and as a
result I was confined to and tied to the bed with a weight tied to my foot
and by using a pully on the foot of the bed the weight pulled on my leg,
thus pulling the ball out of the socket until it was necessary to allow me
to turn over because of other complications. However, I remained so tied
day and night for six weeks on my back.
Because of this illness I lost one and one half years of school
When I had about despared of ever being able to walk again, and on my 12th
Birthday, Lester Perry and his brother Jasper, came with a large sack of
Oranges, to cheer me up, I watched them through the window coming down
from the railroad track, down the Plain City canal,(they chose this route
because the mud was so deep in the road it was almost impossible to get
through). It was a warm day for the first day of March and it brought the
water snakes out of their hiding on the south side of the canal bank. And
I shall never forget how wonderful I thought life would be if only I could
get well again, to enjoy it.
About this time, perhaps a week later, I was visited by Bishop James A
Slater and Henry Manning, who was then Ward Clerk, these two faithful men,
assisted by my father laid their hands upon my head and gave me a blessing
annointing me with oil; After the blessing, Bro. Manning told me about
the Prophet Joseph Smith having the same affliction, that trough faith he
was healed, and said he "If he could be healed through faith, you can be
healed also, if you will exercise enough faith."
I witness to my family, to all my relatives and to all who know me that my
hip began to mend, that no Doctor was ever called to even look at my hip
again, up to this date.
When school started the next fall I was still using crutches, I wanted so
much to playball with the other boys. And one day I batted the ball and
tried to make it to first base and hurt my leg and was unable to walk
home. My father was sent for to drive me home in a a carriage; that ended
that year of school for me. I slept with my knees curled up that night to
ease the pain. The next morning to my surprise, and to the surprise of
all my folks, I couldn't straighten my leg out, it stayed that way for
weeks, but by constant effort and determination it gradually straightened
out, I laid on my stomach with the weight of my hips bearing down, (only a
good sleeper could have done it).
Many years after and when my family was nearly all born, I made
application for life insurance and was referred to Dr. Conroy for
examination (the Dr. that had treated me years before). When I gave my
name he said: "are you related to Henry Holley of Slaterville" I said,
"yes, I am his son", then he said: "what became of that boy that had T.B.
of the bone." I said; you are looking at him. Thereupon he turned me
around and said "let me look at you, I am surely surprised, this is a
miracle." He then cautioned me never to tell another Dr. that I had had
T.B. said he: they would never pass you. But I am giving you a clear
slate" (this Dr. was not a member of our Church).
I was ordained a Priest when I was 17 years old, and was set apart as
secretary of the Priests Group of the ward.
Before I turned 18 I was set apart as assistent Supt. of the Sunday school
of the Slaterville Wars (Jame R. Slater was Supt.) I had previously been
a S.S. Teacher.
After I became able I continued to help my father on the farm and in my
spare time worked at the Harrisville brick yard.
On April 15, 1910, feeling that I was now old enough to get out on my own,
and knowing that I had three other brothers getting large enough to help,
I left home, but before I left, I had all the crops planted. (father being
unable to work because of ill health).
I found work near Idaho Falls, but had only worked a short time when I
received a call to go on a mission. Returning home in late August I
prepared for a mission to the Central States, went to the Temple on Sep
7th. Bid my folks good bye and left that night for Independence, Mo.
I will not dwell long on the wonderful experiences of my mission, a day by
day account of my mission is found elsewhere) SUFFICE TO SAY that my joy
has been made full, in knowing that, still now after more than fifty years
I am finding some who give me credit for changing their way of life.
Bro. Asbery of Herrington, Kansas, still meets me in the Arizona Temple
with a fond embrace. (Now 95 years old-1965)
Elizabeth Elgin, now living in Fort Collins, Colo. found me after twenty
years to tell me how grateful she was that I had found her Mother and two
daughters (including herself).
Herman Blau of Poe Kansas, I see in Mesa Arizona every winter, and I have
set in Fast Meeting, and listened to the converts (about five in one
meeting) of the son of Herman Blau, bear testimony to the joy that has
come into their lives, through accepting the Gospel, Herman Blau was only
about ten years old when I visited them (the family) and explained the
truth to them: I should state here that my brother-in-law, Elder Melbourn
M. Wade and companion had found them about a year before I visited them
and though they had not yet joined the Church they were sure it was true.
Sister Dighton, later of Hutchinson, Kansas with her husband, sat up until
long after mid-night listening to the truth as it fell from the lips of
Elder Scot Gudmunsen and I: it was my companions first week in the mission
field, when we met this good sister, whose husband was away but she urged
us to return the following Sat. night when her husband would be home. On
our return her husband had not yet arrived but she was sure he would be
there that night, she fixed an evening meal for us and then she wanted to
hear more about the Mormon story: My companion and I sang "Come Come Ye
Saints" which touched her heart, it was getting late, and the man had not
yet arrived, and when we suggested that we come again later, she said "no,
don't leave; I have an extra bed" she wanted to hear more about the
Mormons crossing the plains, and then sing that song again. Then we went
to bed, and soon fell asleep. Some time later we were awakened by a knock
on the door, I got up and half dressed, and opening the door, I saw a very
plump man standing there holding a lighted lamp, he was as dumb-founded as
we were, finally, I told him we were Ministers of the Gospel, and hoped
that might soften him up a little; but his wife was soon at his side, and
begged us to sing that song again; we sat on the side of the bed and sang
a few other songs also. and we had to tell the story again; we stayed over
the week end, and left promising to return the following week.
On our return we found that Mr. Dighton had made arrangements for us to
hold a meeting on Sunday Night, in the school house, and he wanted us to
go there in the afternoon and hear another Minister talk; When we met the
"Reverend" I asked him if he would please, announce our meeting for the
evening, which he consented to do, in the presence of our newly found
friends. But he didnt do it, instead he chose his subject, on the
"reception of the holy spirit" : after he dismissed his meeting, I went to
the front of the room and called the people to order, and then announced
that we were holding a meeting in the evening, and would talk on the same
subject; In the evening we had a bigger group than he had. As a result,
Bro. and Sister Dighton were convinced that we were true servants of God.
Many years after Sister Dighton (after her husbands death) came to Ogden
and visited with us.).
I left St. John, Kansas on Xmas day, Dec. 25, 1912, arriving home two days
later.
The following March I was set apart as a member of the Y.M.M.I.A. Stake
Board, and was assigned to start F.F.A. Club work among the young men of
the Stake.
The following July I was called to serve as second counsilor to Bishop
James A. Slater in the Slaterville Ward.
Nov. 12, 1913 I was married to the finest and purest girl I had ever met,
in the person of Estella Lucile Kingston, in the Salt Lake Temple.
We rented the John F. Allred farm and there our first child was born, Our
lovely daughter Lucile.
At the end of the first year we rented the old Ed Smout farm and also
worked at the Brick Yard.
Feb. 22, 1915 I, with all my belongings except my wife and child, (they
followed later) left in a box-car, for Mud Lake to homestead.
We built a 2 room shack, and stored most of our new fine furniture in the
attic; we used sage brush for fuel, built a large cistern for water for
our horses and cow. And hauled water in barrels on a wagon from a lake 3
miles away; drinking water was available one mile away, but it was so hard
to pump, we usually went to a neighbor 3 miles away.
We cleared, plowed and planted 55 acres of land and it came up
beautifully, green but the spring winds cut it off, and the jack rabbits
kept it clipped short.
In May of 1916 we went to Idaho Falls to be near a Dr. as we were
expecting another child; My wife rode the entire distance in a lumber
wagon (40 miles).
June 25, 1916 our second lovely girl was born in Ammon, Idaho, where we
lived for a short time in Charles Owens house and worked for him until our
baby was born (Charles Owen married my wifes sister).
Later that summer we moved to Lincoln, Idaho, and rented 2 rooms from
Jesse Neilson (another brother-in-law). I found work on the farms near
by, then worked at the sugar Factory until the following spring.
On March 1 (my birthday) we drove back to Mud Lake, the snow was so deep
and frozen we were afraid the single-trees on the light spring wagon would
break.
That summer I got work 12 miles away on the Owsley farm, working my team
for $4.00 a day and board also horse feed; I had to be gone all week,
leaving my wife alone with 2 babies, with cayotes howling in all
directions; sometimes she would have to ride the horse 3 miles through the
tall sage brush, to find the cow and milk her; We had one pig which had
to live on potato peelings and dish-water, on Sat. Night I would return,
and spend all day Sunday, hauling water and cutting sage brush to keep the
family warm, for another week.
Finally I list my fine team of horses (one horse was locoed, the other got
the scours and I had to shoot them both) and I decided I had had enough.
I will now go back to the time that I was riding in the box-car from
Odgen, to Idaho Falls;
When the freight train reached Mc Camon, it side tracked for a while, so I
opened the car door and looked out, I had been admiring my horses and
other things I had packed in the car, thinking of the success I had been
blessed with, during the 2 years since I returned from my mission; I had
sent a new wagon, new set of harnesses, new scraper, a plow and other
equipment up with my father the year before. But as I looked out the
door, a gloomy feeling came over me and something told me I was making a
mistake; that I should turn and go back. That God had called be to a
position and that is where he wanted me.
Well I said, to myself, I cant go back now; what would my folks say, and
especially, my father? Then there were my friends, they would no doubt
scoff at me; Then hope came, I said, almost aloud; I am a young man,
strong, and I have got what it takes, I will make a success any way.
I think I never mentioned the above incident to my wife, fearing she would
get discouraged, and I knew I would need all the help I cound get from
her.
I now, after 5 years struggle, decided I should return to where the Lord
wanted me; and I told Him, that if he would help me I would be glad to do
anything he wanted be to.
After I started to pray about it, I rented Jesse Nielsons farm and raised
100 sacks of potatoes, besides hay and other crops; I sold enough crop to
clear $1,000 over my expenses; Here was enough to return on; but I still
could not bring myself to a point where I could face the folks back home.
I used that money to make a down payment on a farm in Coltman, Idaho; At
the end of that season I just broke even, so I thought I had better begin
to break the ice, I wrote my father, telling him I thought we were going
into a depression and asked his opinion as to what I should do. He
advised me to return to Utah, and said I could run part of his farm.
We now had 4 children; Elma born 27 Mar 1918, Cecil, born 26 Jan 1920 and
on 22 Feb 1920 I was in a frieght car (Washington's Birthday) returning to
Utah, just 5 years to the day from the day I left, a humble, but wiser man
than when I left.
On the first Sunday after I returned to Slaterville, Bishop Slater asked
me to be Superintendent of the Sunday School, and I accepted.
We milked a lot of cows, but we only got 5 cents per gallon for it, so I
called on Oscar Madson, and made a deal with him, in which I could haul
the milk to his dairy, he would bottle it and I could deliver it in Odgen
if I could get customers to buy it, and he gave me an old milk wagon to
get me started.
That was the beginning of a long hard struggle.
In September of that year, by selling a horse that I could spare and a few
other things, I was able to buy a home at 368 ?th street in Odgen, where
we made our home (purchase price was $3700 with only $300 down).
Shortly after we were Married, my wife and I were riding along Washington
Avenue not 1/2 block from where we later bought a home, when I said to
her; "Wouldnt this be a wonderful place to live" and she agreed. I am
sure we bote had a glimse of the future.
On 29 March 1923 another lovely girl was born to us, only to live with us
three weeks, on April 25th Wanda passed away, our first real sorrow, but
through it all, we both felt that we were just a little closer to the
other side.
Shortly after moving to Ogden, I was called by Bishop Timothy Terry to be
a teacher in the Y.M.M.I.A. in the ward, a few months later I was called
to the Superintendency of the Mutual, as a counsilor, then I was called to
be Superintendent. I held this position about a year then was chosen by
Superintendent A. D. Brown to be his assistent, I served under him as 2nd
then as 1st assistant.
When Ira A Huggins was made Bishop of the 10th ward he chose me as 1st
councilor, remaining in this position about 2 years, when Bishop Huggins
was released I was chosen as a member of the High Council of the North
Weber Stake.
In the meantime two more lovely children came to bless our home. Vernal
was born 16 August 1924 and Yvonne 2 February 1932.
About 1929 the city started a movement to force all the milk sold in the
city to be pasteurized, as a result, 14 of the small dairies joined
together and influenced the Farm Bureau to organize and establish a dairy
to furnish our trade with milk, about this time my brother Ted bought in
with me and immediately we built up a nice business, then Ted was called
on a mission and I was left alone, making it neccessary for my wife and
older children to help me a great deal, I also hired some extra help at
times.
Our venture with the Farm Bureau did not pay off (Weber Central Dairy) and
I was forced to leave there and go to the Paramount Dairy for my milk;
About a year later I built a small dairy in my back yard and processed my
own milk, which I now bought from the farmers in the county.
We just got to going good when the NRA went into effect, giving the larger
dairies power to control the amount of milk a small dairy could buy from
the farmers, so we decided to sell. (the severe strain of fighting for
our rights, added to the time I was spending in church work, influenced
our decision).
I took a good rest for a few weeks and then went to work for the
California Packing Co. remaining there for 8 years;, in the meantime Cecil
had finished school and wanted to get into the milk business, so with a
little encouragement and some equipment we had, he started from scratch
doing exceptionally well; When Vernal finished school he bought into the
business, then later I entered the business and in 1954 we sold the
business and I retired from work.
The money we got from our sale was used to buy 110 acres of land; adding
this to the 55 acres we already had (the dairy in town was moved to
Wilson, west of Ogden where we had bought 20 acres from Grandpa Kingston
and 35 acres from Percy Bond, making 165 acres in all. Horace Holley (Dairyman) and Estella Lucile Kingston were married on 12 Nov 1913 in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah.
- [S28] 1900 US Census.
Name: Horace Holley
Home in 1900: Slaterville, Weber, Utah
Age: 10
Birth Date: Mar 1890
Birthplace: Utah
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relationship to Head of House: Son
Father's Name: Henry C Holley
Father's Birthplace: Utah
Mother's Name: Amanda Holley
Mother's Birthplace: Utah
Marital Status: Single
Occupation: View on Image
Neighbors: View others on pageÂ
Household Members: Name Age
Henry C Holley 39
Amanda Holley 35
Ezra Holley 15
Delila Holley 12
Horace Holley 10
Annie Holley 8
Alice Holley 6
Amos Holley 4
Delos Holley 1
Â
- [S26] 1920 US Census.
Name: Horace Holley
Home in 1920: Ammon, Bonneville, Idaho
Age: 29
Estimated birth year: abt 1891
Birthplace: Utah
Relation to Head of House: Self (Head)
[Head]Â
Spouse's name: Stella Holley
Father's Birth Place: Utah
Mother's Birth Place: Utah
Marital Status: Married
Race: White
Sex: Male
Home owned: Rent
Able to read: Yes
Able to Write: Yes
Neighbors: View others on pageÂ
Household Members: Name Age
Horace Holley 29
Stella Holley 25
Lucile Holley 5
Mildred Holley 3 [3 6/12]Â
Elma Holley 1 [1 10/12]Â
Â
- [S31] 1910 US Census.
Name: Horace Holley
Age in 1910: 20
Estimated birth year: abt 1890
Birthplace: Utah
Relation to Head of House: Son
Father's Name: Henry C Holley
Father's Birth Place: Utah
Mother's Name: Amanda J HolleyÂ
Mother's Birth Place: Utah
Home in 1910: Slaterville, Weber, Utah
Marital Status: Single
Race: White
Gender: Male
Neighbors: View others on pageÂ
Household Members: Name Age
Henry C Holley 49
Amanda J Holley 45
Delilah Holley 22
Horace Holley 20
Sarah A Holley 18
Alice H Holley 16
John A Holley 13
Deloss W Holley 11
George V Holley 9
Edith E Holley 7
Lewis E Holley 4
Â
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1890 - 1973 (82 years)
