12 Characteristics of 12 Impressive Ancestors

I thought I would share some of the outstanding characteristics of our ancestors.  Most of these individuals have more complete stories elsewhere on this blog. These are characteristics that have impressed me and are worthy of emulation by their descendants. 

Perseverance-Jensine Marie Jensen Moulton
Mary was one of three plural wives who moved to Old Mexico to try to keep the Joseph Moulton family together.  Things didn't work out when the law against polygamy caused her husband to live with his first wife and "Mary" did her best to provide for her family.  First as a seamstress, then a store owner.  She ran boarding houses in Utah and California and cared for many years for her invalid daughter. 

Overcoming Obstacles-Emma Amelia Croft Chase
Emma Amelia Croft would settle for nothing less than a temple marriage in the Logan Temple. Amelia wrote letters to her fiance's Centerville Bishop to help Frank get his temple recommend.  Twenty-five years into their marriage, her husband deserted their family of nine children.  She did the best she could to carry on as a single mom.  She passed away in 1933 in the home of her daughter, Clairissa Chase Weiss, before knowing whatever happened to her husband.  

Taking Risks-George Ogden Chase
George Ogden was unafraid to try.  He fearlessly headed west with his family in 1847 as a young boy of 15.  One risk he took was marrying Emily Hyde, the Apostle Orson Hyde's daughter.  Emily had a home in Farmington and was mother to six of George's children.  She felt George was away from home to much and eventually asked to be divorced and moved to California.  George was obedient to the Prophet Brigham Young when Brigham suggested he take the young school teacher, Josephine Streeper, as a plural wife.  Fifteen children were born to that union.  George helped build the mill at Liberty Park and another mill in Farmington.  He discovered natural gas in Ogden and built the first bicycle track and lakeside resort on the shores of the Great Salt Lake.  He was a farmer and respected in Chase Park, north of Centerville, UT.  He was unafraid to take risks.

Creativity-John Croft
John was a branch president in England.  He was a counselor in the Presidency on the boat as they crossed the ocean. He married into a respected family and brought his new wife with him to America in 1860.  He did carpentry work on the Lion House, the Bountiful Temple and many of the fine homes in Salt Lake.  He helped plan and build the canals in Enterprise/Peterson area.  He helped his son in law, Frank Leslie chase, build the farmhouse that still stands in Centerville, UT.  John Croft's Enterprise farmhouse and outbuildings were among the finest in Utah.  He was an inventor and was among the first to use a power pump to irrigate his fields.

Hospitality-Phoebe Chase & Chase Family
Christmas was quite a production at Chase Park in Centerville, UT.  The tradition of hosting all the extended family continued until Kate Chase's death in 1937.  Kate learned from her mother, Josephine and her grandmother, Phebe.  Phebe regularly hosted her son-in-law, Brigham Young, and his good friend, Heber C. Kimball, at their Liberty Park home.  The Salt Lake Chase home was known a favorite "out of town" spot and the site of numerous dances, parties, and sleigh rides.

Generosity-Simon S. Weiss
Simon S. Weiss was a Jewish man with a very generous streak.  When his wife's father disappeared, he was quick to take the family in and support them during difficult financial times.  His mother-in-law, Amelia Chase, was cared for in his home until her death. 

Devotion to Family-Hyrum Chase Moulton
Chase would lower the kitchen counters to make them easier for his eleven children to help their mother.  He was continually remodeling and enlarging his Heber City home.  His Ford Garage was "through the block" and water filled inner tubes brought fun to all the neighborhood kids in summer. He left his business in Heber and worked as a plumber in Wyoming and in Salt Lake to provide for his large family during the depression. His children all learned to thread pipes and dig ditches after school to help him in his work. 

Developing a Talent-Margaret Lillian Moulton
Lilly played the organ for church functions from the time she was eight years old.   For many years she accompanied soloists and played the hymns for funerals all over Wasatch County.  Lilly could have been a concert pianist or a tabernacle organist according to her professor at Brigham Young Academy.   Instead, she became a mother of eleven very musical children, helping them each develop their own musical talents.  

Work-Henry Clegg, Jr. 
Henry Clegg, Jr. was a beloved Conference President in England for many years before leaving to come to America.  With help from the Perpetual Emigration Fund, he planned to bring his wife, Hannah Eastman, and his two sons, to Zion.  In Kansas his wife became ill and died from cholera. A few days later his infant son passed away as well and was carried back to be buried in his mother's arms.  Henry came to Utah and married two more wives.  He worked hard to provide for his large family in Salt Lake, then Springville, and was an early settler in Heber Valley.  He was always teaching his 25 sons how to work to provide for their families.  He was a cobbler, kept cattle and sheep, worked a farm, made shingles, ran a grocery store and made time to become a beloved Bishop in Wasatch Stake, Heber City 2nd Ward.

Sisterhood-Ann Lewis and Margaret Griffiths-Plural Wives
Ann Lewis and Margaret Griffiths were sealed to their husband the same day by Brigham Young.  They learned how to work well together and even sang and performed with their husband all over Provo/Springville.  They sang in the choirs and worked with their husband to build up his new businesses.  They supported him while he was Bishop in Heber.  These sister wives respected each other and learned to work well together.

True Conversion-Isaac Chase  
This good Quaker recognized restored truth and joined the LDS Church in 1840.  As one member of the family wrote:  "He left his wealth in New York and Nauvoo.  He left his tools at Liberty Park but he always kept his testimony."  "Father Chase" once spoke in General Conference.  When asked to leave his mill at Liberty Park and move to Centerville, he did.  We don't have all the details of his business dealings with Brigham Young, but we know he died faithful to the Gospel of Jesus Christ that he loved.  Some family members felt Brigham had cheated Isaac in taking over the Liberty Park Mill property.  Isaac said, "Land o' mercy, don't look at the faults and shortcomings of the people for your guidance.  Look well to the principles of your Church!"


Testimony-Emma Amelia Mitchell Croft
Emma Amelia wrote a letter to her missionary son encouraging him to be patient with those who persecuted him.  This letter to her son was read by a member of a mob in Arkansas who was about to tar and feather Frank.  The ruffian's heart softened as he read of the missionary's mother counsel and Frank was allowed to leave unharmed.  Emma Amelia was known for her powerful prayers.