Gene Mikkelson-born in Ft. Green; lived in Salt Lake, but a Nephi, Utah hero!

Like his son declared at the funeral today, one could talk forever about the life and times of Gene Mikkelson. He learned how to work hard on the farm, but kept thinking how to make more money shearing men's hair rather than sheep. He eventually got his barber shop going in SLC on 17th South and Main in 1954, and had difficulty giving it up last year-at age 87. Before he graduated from Moroni High in 1953, he was on the basketball and baseball team, and a love of sports, especially golf- right to the end. In the 1950's, like in Viet Nam during the 60's, young kids often went straight from school to the front lines of a foreign country to fight for freedom. Although he was a Medic, there were times he had to do perform difficult duties, as he was on the front lines. As a kid, he loved dancing, and started with his sisters. Local rumor has it, he and his good looking brother-Leon got a ride to Mona, where they did the "Box Step" with the gals that danced at the café the Brock family had-every Saturday night. But eventually, he was smitten by the stunning blonde and classy Ute Stampede Queen-Marian Garrett, and soon hitched with a perfect blend. Gene loved helping and caring for Marian's folks-Joe and Ellen Garrett. When he came to Nephi, he was often seen feeding apples to the horses; digging weeds or mending tools. As a youngster, he was taught that "Life is too short to give a dam what people think of you". To this writer, he was a qualified but unlicensed teacher, willing and able to help and teach all others. His heart was full of love and kindness, although he put up a good fake "Mean Gene". One can't help but love and admire Gene Mikkelson. When I visited with him a few weeks ago on Decoration Day, he didn't put up his fists ready to fight me, and looked pale. Out of the blue, he wanted to hug me. It felt good to give both he and Marian hugs. Perhaps what he was taught as a kid came true. "When you stop living is when you start dying." I think we both felt that on that very Memorial Day!

"The Golden Spike That Changed the World".

There were nearly 200 Fourth Graders who did their best to win a replica of the Golden Spike that connected the Union Pacific with the Central Pacific Railroad at Promontory Point, Utah on May 10, 1869. Although that "wedding of the rails" occurred 150 years ago, the students in the Juab School District acted like it happened on this years May 10th, when the winners were announced. In a way, all participants were winners, as they were actively taught by great teachers. Below, we have the photo and list of those who received the golden spikes. If you or your kid wants a photo copy, they can be gazed upon and purchased at Livingston Photo in Nephi, Utah. Mavanie Ariza was the photographer and took several photos which are available there. An article about the historical event is in The Times News today and..... some day..... we will figure out how to computerize the old photos of the train going up "Track Street" in Nephi, America. Our railroad caps and hats go off to the Daughters of Utah Pioneers(DUP), who sponsored such a terrific and historical event. And parents, your kids are in good hands with the Juab School District.

Tax Audits often require a heavy dose of medicinal mixtures.

We knew it was goin happen some day and apparently so did our grandfather during the Great Depression. He left a blank from "The Commercial Bank" of Nephi and I will send it to IRS, once we know what they demand of us. I have now learned the hard way-it is better NOT to keep financial records for too long! I have been the family record keeper since the Jones family arrived in Nephi, America during the 1850's. As such-it makes me who the Feds want to prove that our family legally obtained our ranch lands directly from the Territory of Utah, as I have all the journals; church donations; expenses to run the farm; and how my father purchased trucks and equipment for the farm and part time job plasterer, plus medical woes. We will also present evidence how the five Jones kids and their parents had a total family income in 1960 of $4,076.66. Poor brother Wes received only $8.00 for helping Juab County spray weeds all summer and he still sneezes just watching his wife do yard work! My personal issue is I only got paid three bucks for mixing plaster, while cousin Gordon Jones got a whopping $5.00. Also concerning is we may have overpaid our LDS tithing by $2.50 in 1955! Well, the fun thing is folks from round about can see the different people & stores of Juab County, and a portion of our Territorial Deeds along with Nortonville water shares from 125 years ago. Also, the IRS wants proof we are still on the look out for that lost Crossbred Durham-Guernsey cow of 1944.

Postcards and letters-from 1895; World War One and World War Two.

In the 1890's it was common for LDS Leaders to call men on missions, directing them to their country of family origin. Such was the case in Nephi, Utah, when J.W. McPherson and Wm. Jones were directed to the British Isles, where their parents came from in the 1850's. These two were friends and often wrote letters to each other, and thought they were coming home together. As noted in the letter, J.W. McPherson was delayed. Back then, they traveled without purse or script, often finding family to help. Wm. Jones had been called, leaving the Nortonville farm up to his wife and other folks that shared the labor. The next card is from Vic Jones while serving in World War One. He was cheerful at the time, but later suffered from a severe wound. The last is from LaVon Harris to Alma Jones during World War Two. May we always take the time to write a letter to those we love, even if it goes just across town.

Vic Jones & Alberta Blackett sealed the deal 99 years ago!

When we ran across this invitation for the Golden Wedding Anniversary of Vic & Alberta Jones, we thought we better put it down in writing, as many of the participants have already passed through the veil as well. To give a brief background-this Jones couple lived on the corner of 6th North and Main in Nephi, Utah. They moved there in 1933 and raised eight kids. Vic was raised in Nortonville, being born of Wm & Elizabeth Jones. He completed the mandatory 6 years of school, then went to BY High in Provo. His next adventure was during World War One, working as a Mounted MP in France, where he served for three years before being severely wounded and came home. With a gimp in his gallop, he still wanted to go to the dance in the old North Ward Amusement Hall. There he met Alberta Blackett, whose father-Andrew Blackett escorted her to the dance, but Vic escorted her home and the mother-Sarah Jane Worthington approved. They were married on March 24, 1920 and their first summer was at the Jones ranch in Nortonville, but both decided Vic needed more education, so he attended the U. of U. for two years. At the same time, he worked for New York Life, then Interocean Elevator Co. and Utah Fire & Clay. Sadness came when they lost their son-George Eldon at 8 months old, from pneumonia. It was 1933, and our country was suffering from financial depression, so Vic came back to Nephi and started to work for the U.S. Postal until he retired in 1963. Vic and Alberta were faithful members of the LDS church and both served in various positions. Alberta made sure their home displayed her handiwork including quilts, afghans and crochet doilies, and always good food. Their children are Melba, LeNora, Mildred, Barbara, Darlene, Richard, Sherman and Gordon. May this great pair of people and their kin never be forgotten or their service to others.

Rula Gowers was 100 years old, but died young!

Rula Yearsley was born in Malad, Idaho, one of 9 children, so she learned early how to sleep in a bed with three siblings laying crossways. While attending college in Logan, she met Don Gowers, and quickly decided to become a Nephite, being welcomed and admired in Juab County for her devotion to family, community and church. She also had an enormous love for music and shared her talents for nearly a century. Not only she played the piano well, but passed her music skill on to her kin, as her funeral  showed various family members leading the choir; playing the organ; piano and singing. And anytime you saw her, she had beauty, and her hair was groomed as perfect as those others she made beautiful. Her husband has already passed away, and he did so without glory and fanfare, and little do most folk know that soft spoken Don Gowers was a ferrous fighter during World War II, being a member of the new and elite "US Navy Seals" who believed "The Only Easy Day Was Yesterday".

"Truth, The Key To Happiness"- at least that was proclaimed in 1931.

When folks assembled for the May 17, 1931 Commencement Exercises for the Seminary Graduates of the LDS Juab Stake in Utah, the pageant was titled "Truth, The Key To Happiness". Sounds prophetic way back then, but when you read or see proclamations made on social media or on TV, perhaps we could all re-examine what facts we have, then we could all sing "O, Say What Is Truth". Regardless, it is fun to see what supporting business' were in Juab County back then, and if you are from these parts, you will surely recognize a name or two. Have fun reading and try to recognize the truth, although we all have different versions of it!