Midwife Mary Curtis Miller. The Fox Family.

The following items are taken from the book Castle Valley: A History of Emery County, by the Daughters of Utah Pioneers.  I put the first story in because the Mrs. Miller was Mary Curtis who is a daughter of Simmons Philander Curtis.  Her husband Scott was a veteran of the Civil War and I may tell that story in more detail in a later post.  The second story I put in because there was a question or comment about someone wanting more information about the Fox family.  I don't have much but I did find a paragraph from the same book.

     "There were no doctors within a hundred miles or more.  The neighbors took turns caring for each other during sickness.  Mrs. Miller delivered most of the babies.  Strange to say, so far from doctors or hospitals, there were few deaths other than by accident or infirmities subject to old age.  Mustard plasters, onion syrup for coughs, sulphur and molasses for spring tonic, were the usual remedies; but many herbs served too." 

     "For recreation we had country dances in the school house, music being furnished by a fiddle and later on a piano.  Mrs. Hinson played the piano.  The entire family would go.  Children were put to sleep on the floor.  About midnight we would serve lunch and when day break came we would all wend our way homeward to start a new day.  We also went skating and sleigh riding in the winter.  In the summer we had picnics and straw rides.  We had very little money but received our full share of pleasure and enjoyments.  One event we looked forward to was the candy-pull at the home of the Foxes.  We really put on our best social manners as they were considered 'Society.'  They had an upstairs and a  piano and to be invited  there was an event on the social calendar."

The Buchanan cousin relationship outlined.

The relationship of Emaline Buchanan Curtis to President James Buchanan.  In my last post I said that Emaline is a first cousin once removed of President Buchanan.  I will outline that relationship.  Their common ancestors are John Buchanan and his wife Jane Russell.  Below is the line for President Buchanan and then the line for Emaline: 

For President Buchanan.
John Buchanan and Jane Russell
James Buchanan and Elizabeth Speer
President James Buchanan

For Emaline.
John Buchanan and Jane Russell
John Buchanan and Nellie Reid
John Buchanan and Nancy Ann Bache
Emaline Buchanan and Simmons Philander Curtis

The line continues with the four Josephs:

Joseph Augustus Curtis (Joe)
Joseph Augustus Curtis (Dode)
Max Joseph Curtis (Max)
Nicholas Joseph Curtis (Nicholas)

So I can safely say that I am related to President James Buchanan.  In future posts I may show relationships to other prominent figures in American History.

There is no First Lady buried at Woodside.

On the website this link http://www.pbase.com/talshiarr/woodside goes to there is some discussion about the First Lady of James Buchanan being buried at Woodside.  This is a big mistake.  Do an Internet search on Harriet Lane.  Harriet was the First Lady to President James Buchanan.  Harriet is the niece.  Harriet IS NOT buried at Woodside.  Harriet is still a very interesting story/life.  She just isn't the one buried at Woodside. 

Some are familiar with Emaline Buchanan.  Emaline did in fact marry Simmons Philander Curtis.  Emaline is the one that is buried at Woodside.  Emaline is a cousin to President Buchanan.  Emaline's father, John, is a first or full cousin of the President.  I believe that makes Emaline first cousin once removed.  Even though there is no First Lady buried at Woodside it is still good to know that there is a cousin buried there.  It is good to know the truth or as Paul Harvey would say, "The rest of the story".  Now we know it.

When I think of Easter I think of the meaning of the mission of Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.  His celebrated birth.  I think of the crucifixion and his suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane.  I think of the records of his Apostles that is left to us and the testament that it represents.  I think of his nature and character which make up his personality.  Of course I also think of the resurrection and what it represents. 

The resurrection represents a new beginning.  It represents spring.  It represents growth from almost nothing.  Most of all it represents Christ's gift to us.  The promise and hope of the resurrection.  Jesus being the first fruits of the resurrection.  It is a gift promised to all regardless of their circumstances.  The gift of immortality.  The resurrection also represents the hope of a better resurrection.  The hope that through our own individual merits and actions we can have Eternal Life.  The greatest gift of all.

One of Dode's Claims with John C. Forrester

On January 25, 1925 Dode and John C. Forrester located a mining claim.  John C. Forester recorded the claim on January 21, 1925 in book J-5 on page 456 in Emery County at 4:00 in the afternoon .  This claim is known at the Jim Loman Mining Claim No. 1, and is located on a bed of black shale mineral used for hardening metals. 

The mineral used for hardening metals is Vanadium.  To quote further, "This mining claim is on the Bradley Ranch on the northeast side of Price River.  The Bradley house being about 300 feet on the east side of this claim."

Grandfather Comparison.

Apparently Mondays and Tuesdays are not good days for me to post blogs.  I must be too busy on those days.  I had hoped to have already posted this. 

This looks like a brief comparison on the surface but really these were different men.  My desire is not to be judgemental of either man.  They were just different. 

Nicholas was born in England. 
Dode was born in America. 

In a way Nicholas was  a pioneer.
Dode was of Utah pioneer ancestry. 

Nicholas was a convert to the LDS Church. 
Dode was a nonmember despite his pioneer heritage. 
Dode and his father certainly pioneered around Woodside.

Nicholas lived in the city. 
Dode at times lived in the city but was comfortable and at home on the desert. 

Nicholas had a certificate which helped him do clerical work. 
Dode went to school but any specific training is unknown or non-existent. 

Nicholas was comfortable in a suit and tie. 
I believe Dode usually work Levis that were cuffed on the bottom. 

Nicholas apparently traveled a bit of the world. 
I don't know that Dode went far from Emery County. 

Nicholas spent nearly his entire life working.  He worked til 80 years of age. 
Dode worked at times but apparently did a lot of prospecting. 
Looking at the records in Emery County almost provides a diary of Dode. 

Despite all these differences they both worked for the railroad at least briefly.

Joseph Augustus Curtis, Jr. (Dode)

Joseph Augustus Curtis, Jr. was eventually known as Dode.  Dode was never baptised into the LDS Church despite his rich pioneer heritage not only for pioneers in Utah but also pioneers in the LDS Church.  Dode was born in Castle Dale.  From what I can tell he never really went far from  the area of the Price River drainage and spent his life in Carbon and Emery Counties near Woodside, Summerville, Humbug and Grassy.  I could also throw Cedar Mountain into that mix.

Dode is often associated with two men.  His father Joe and his brother Guy.  Dode had many mining claims with different family members.  That will be explored in more detail in later posts.  Dode once bought a horse with his father Joe and the Whitmores.  That too will be explored more in future posts.  Where as my grandfather Nicholas was a city dweller, Dode spent a lot of time on the desert.  A lot of this time was spent in a tent.  A lot of that time was also spent alone as far as I know.

There are a few landmarks which bear the name of Joe or Curtis which I believe are attributed to Dode's father who was one of the first settlers of Woodside.  Joe's Holes near Cedar Mountain is one of those.  There is also a Joe Spring near Park Wash which I believe is a strong candidate for being associated with Joe Curtis, Sr.  Dode had mining claims in Park Wash.  There is also a story of Dode having a wolf attack a young colt in the Park.  The colt later died from it's injuries.  The Park is in the Bookcliffs just above Horse Canyon and at the head of Park Wash.

Joe, Dode and Max had much in common.  I know Joe and Max herded sheep and I suspect Dode did as well.  Dode and Max had mining claims and it is also reported that Joe was known to prospect when he had time.  Joe and Max were farmers and Dode even attempted a homestead on Cedar Mountain with Guy.  I believe they were the first to attempt farming on Cedar Mountain.

I would also like to mention another landmark which I believe was named for Joe Curtis.  In the San Rafael Group of formations there is one called the Curtis Formation.  It borders the Summerville Formation which was named for another early settler of Woodside named Summerville.  I believe that the Curtis Formation was named for Joe simply because he was one of the first settlers of Woodside.   The Curtis Formation reaches as far as Flaming Gorge, Moab, near Hanksville and surrounds the San Rafael Swell.  The Entrada Formation, Summerville Formation and Curtis Formation were all named at the same time.  At the same time the formations were named there was also places named.  Entrada Point, Summerville Point and Curtis Point were named where these formations were prominent. 

In my next post I will summarize my comparison of my two grandfathers.

Nicholas Peter Pettersson

I mentioned previously that I was named after my grandfathers.  I talked a little bit about them.  Right now I would like to talk a bit more about my grandfather Pettersson.  I would like to show a contrast between my two grandfathers, who were different in their own ways. 

Nicholas was born in Sunderland England though his ancestry is Swedish.  His father was a ship captain.  He was born a nonmember of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  He joined as an adult with his whole family.  He came to the United States and to Utah with his wife and children.  He worked as a clerk in many jobs in Utah.  Some with the railroad and many for the coal mines.,  He was postmaster for a time in Winter Quarters, Utah.  He was County Treasurer in Carbon County for many years.  He served in many callings in the Price 4th Ward of the LDS Church.  He once played on a soccer team. I believe this was in Winter Quarters.  He was chorister for priesthood meetings at 90 years of age.  Eventually he was finance clerk for the seminaries in Price.  He wasn't noted, to me, as an outdoors man though he had the head of a deer mounted at his home in Price.  As I recall it was a deer he had bagged. 

Nicholas was well respected in his church and community and was always cheerful with a "contagious smile."  He was easy going and mild mannered.  His children followed in his footstep and were also clerks both in business and in their church.  Nicholas visited his children often in Salt Lake City.  I remember him taking vacations.  It seems like he was always taking vacations to me but it was apparently only a few times.

10 Best Superfoods for Spring

I found this article on Yahoo.  Here is the link. 

http://shine.yahoo.com/event/green/top-10-superfoods-for-spring-2469506/

The ten best:
 
1.    Artichoke
2.    Asparagus
3.    Avocado
4.    Blueberries
5.    Fava Beans (aka  Broad Beans)
6.    Fresh Figs
7.    Leeks
8.    Oregano and Other Fresh Herbs
9.    Spinach
10.  Strawberries

One of Dode's claims.

On January 12, 1925 along with Joe Caldwell, Joe Curtis, Jr. located a mining claim in Summerville Wash about 2 miles west of Woodside Station.  It was about 1 1/2 miles up Summerville Wash from the Price River.  This claim was known as the Black Knob Mining Claim, Vanadium, Radium and Uranium No. 1.  Joe also filed this claim for gold and silver which he believed to be there.  It was recorded by J. H. Wade on January 16, 1925 in book J-5 on page 448 at ten in the morning in Castle Dale.

Paula's pierced ears.

It didn't take long to get to my first story about Woodside.  It is not my intent to offend anyone with this story.  If you are offended then you need to take a good hard long look at yourself and see what is wrong with you because you are a warped human being. 

Paula is the youngest of Verl and Joyces's children.  As I remember the story, Verl and family came over to Price for a visit.  But in order to see my dad they needed to go to Woodside.  Well, none of the kids wanted to go to Woodside but Paula.  My dad had a few faults but he had some very good points too.  One of those was that he had a good love for children.  He especially like his own grandchildren and Paula was one of his favorites. 

Well, it turns out that as they were at Woodside visiting my dad asked Paula if she wanted some money.  I don't know that she answered but she was probably thinking that she did though she probably didn't want to say it.  My dad gave her five dollars.  Then after a few minutes he asked her if five dollars was enough.  Again I don't think she gave a definitive answer.  But my dad asked for the five dollars back and gave her ten dollars. 

Well, Paula had asked her mother to to let her get her ears pierced.  I believe the answer was that if Paula got the money she could do it.  Maybe Joyce thought she couldn't get the money.  Well, now Paula had at least some of the money to pay for it.  I don't know if she actually got her ears pierced though.  Please excuse me if I get a good laugh out of this story.

Some Juicing Tips

I have been doing a lot of juicing lately.  I was juicing carrots and apples which juice very well and keep pretty well so you don't have to drink it all right away.  I was using a centrifugal juicer.  I also juiced apricots, oranges, lemons, cantaloupe and a few others I can't remember.  Apricots didn't do very well. 

Then I dug out a k-Tech blender that I have which is the same as a blend-tech I believe.  It is similar to a Vita Mix and is more of a blender than a juicer.  It does a good job and you don't have to worry about what to do with the pulp.  You just drink it in what turns out to be a thick smoothie.  I juiced anything I could get.  Kiwis, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, avocado, lemons, beets, eggplant, mango, yucca root, yam and potato were some of the things that ended up in these fruit and vegetable smoothies.  I even made milk shakes with banana, eggs, vitamin C, multivitamin, folic acid, powdered chocolate, sprouts and whatever I could think of or I had on hand. 

Well I just ran across a book about the Gerson Therapy and it had a few hints that helped me understand what I was doing a little better.  For instance I wondered about combined fruits and vegetables as it could cause gas or other chemical reactions.  They say that almost all of plant produce is compatible.  If you are ill they recommend drinking 8 ounces of  juice every hour.  That comes out to 13 glasses of juice a day.  They recommend drinking the juice immediately after juicing.  Do not store for future use.  If you have to take some with you for later use in the day they recommend a apple/carrot juice or just carrot.  Other juices especially salad greens oxidize quickly.  That's something I found very helpful.  Drink immediately.

They also recommend that you drink as much as you can if you can't meet the 13 glasses a day.  The Gerson people also believe that the juices have live enzymes which help you physically, mentally and spiritually.  It's like a vital force that helps your body.  I hope this information helps others as it has helped me.  I look forward to having cactus fruit in season as I am anxious to try it for adding to my blended juice smoothies.  I usually start off with one cup of a commercial juice in my smoothies to make them more liquid than solid.

Brother Nick

I was named after both of my grandfathers.  My mother's dad is Nicholas Peter Pettersson.  My father's dad is Joseph Augustus Curtis.  Nicholas was born in England though is of Swedish roots.  Nicholas is also a convert to the LDS Church.  Joseph was never baptised into the LDS Church even though he has a rich legacy of pioneers within the church.  There will be many more stories about them later. 

Nicholas served in many bishoprics as a clerk in the Price 4th Ward.  I remember him as the financial clerk.  He always stayed after church to count the donations.  He was frequently or always affectionately referred to as Brother Nick.  After a few callings in the Riverside 1st Ward in Salt Lake City I was called as financial clerk.  I have had this calling for well over 10 years.  I believe 1997 is the year I was called.  One day the bshop that called me as the financial clerk called me Brother Nick.  I was somewhat taken aback.  I didn't know what to think.  It was like, does he know something more than he is letting on because he said it with a certain kind of emphasis.  I have been called Brother Nick a few times since so I guess I am Brother Nick II.