James and Emma Bulkley Gottfredson ~~~ Pioneers of the Month ~~~ September 2023

 

James and Emma Bulkley Gottfredson

 

Mt. Pleasant Pyramid

June 21, 1929

 Reunion of Gottfredsons Well Attended 

Richfield Reaper September 3, 1931

 “More than 200 members of the Gottfredson family attended the reunion held here recently at the call of Peter Gottfredson, the well known pioneer and Indian war veteran, who is now completing a history of the family, dating back 120 years. The crowd consisted of three families from California, two from Nevada, one from Wyoming, three from Idaho, and a number from Utah. The young old man who financed the entire affair, at a cost of around $250, said with enthusiasm, ‘I surely have had my money’s worth,’ and expressed satisfaction in bringing the large family together.” “The reunion started Saturday evening when all members of the family located at the camp on the county fair grounds, met for a general social. Sunday morning the various wards were visited, and in the afternoon the family organization was effected as follows: J.E. Gottfredson, president; Merrill Gottfredson, general secretary; Adell G. Jensen and Estella P. Poulson, assistant secretaries, representing two branches of the family; Mrs. Anna Waltamer, vice president of the first branch, and Chester Allen, vice president of the second branch. Bylaws, rules, and regulations were adopted. Dr. D.B. Gottfredson acted as master of ceremonies for the meeting, following which Mrs. Adell Jensen conducted a program. Mrs. Edith Rasmussen led community singing. An original song, ‘Howdy-do,’ by Merrill Gottfredson was sung by the entire crowd. Members of the family who took part in musical numbers during the two-day’s reunion were Bishop E.L. Swalberg of Gunnison, Uhlan Swalberg, Merrill Gottfredson and Mrs. James Bradfield, Mrs. Merrill Gottfredson, Miss Carol Swalberg, Mrs. Josephine Brower, who was assisted in an Indian costume song by Reed Rasmussen, Doyle Shaw, Kenneth Gottfredson, Melba Brower and others; Reed Rasmussen, Leda Dalby [Reva Dalton’s aunt] of Leadore, Idaho, Maxine and Beth Orrock and Laurel Jensen. Delora Payne of Aurora, Ruth Hansen of Salt Lake, Carrie Allen of Circleville and Joan Brower entertained with readings. Speakers were Peter Gottfredson, Reva Dalton of Salt Lake, President J.E. Gottfredson and the oldest member of each family: Anna Waltamore of Salt Lake, Mrs. Ruth G. Urie of Cedar City, Conrad Payne of Aurora and Mrs. Addie G. Barney of Salt Lake. Prayers were by Lewis Jensen and Jacob Dastrup. Mrs. Estella Poulson gave sentiments of appreciation of the efforts of Peter Gottfredson in arranging the reunion, which was followed by nine rahs for Peter, led by Bishop Ernest Swalberg. Mr. Gottfredson delighted the crowd with a reading, ‘The Bumble Bee,’ and a song, ‘Courting in the Kitchen.’” “After a program Monday, the crowd went to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Rasmussen and were treated to Danish Beer ‘like Grandma Gottfredson used to make,’ and cake. In the evening a free dance was held at the Rendezvous. Tuesday the camp was broken up, many going to Fish Lake and others to visit in the homes of relatives the rest of the week.

Sarah Thompson Pritchett Wilson ~~~ Pioneer of the Month ~~~ August 2023

 

Levi Franklin Pritchett 

 

The Pritchett Family

 The family name of Pritchett originated in Wales and according to all known records, is a name of great antiquity, having an unbroken male descent from the princes of Wales, between Wye and Severn, a dynasty that lasted from the time of Caradoc Vraich, who reigned in 520 AD to the death of Bleddyn, the last prince in 1190 AD. 

During this time the family became very numerous and began to spread out into other parts of the British Isles. Many went into Ireland and the middle parts of England. From the period of the close of the reign of Bleddyn until about the middle of the 15th century, little is known about the family as few or no records were kept. It has to date been impossible to bridge the gap between 1190 and the first Pritchett who came to America. 

The records of Virginia Historical Society record that Miles Pritchett came to America on a sailing ship, the Star, in the year 1612. This was eight years before the pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock. Apparently, he settled in Jamestown, Virginia, and from there the family spread out into the area known at that time as the Virginia land grant. This area comprised what is now known as Virginia, Kentucky, Delaware, Tennessee, and parts of Georgia. The Pritchetts were also in Delaware and Maryland as early as 1669. It is in this area that most of the Pritchett family are found today and from which the branch of our family originally came. It has been difficult to trace a direct line of Pritchetts beyond the middle of the 17th century. Most of this difficulty is the direct result of the Civil War. During the various campaigns that the northern troops made into the South, many of the churches where the records of our people were kept were burned and it is therefore impossible to verify many of the stories and much of the information that has come down from generation to generation and from family to family. James Mitchell Pritchett, the father of Leonidas Pritchett, was born in Smyth County, Virginia on June 1, 1817, and later married Mary Ann Fulcher. To them were born nine children: William, Leonidas, John, Nancy, Thomas, Levi, James, Rebecca, and Douglas. Douglas died at the age of three years but all the other children lived to marry and raise a family. William, the eldest, married Peggy Heneger. Leonidas married Elizabeth Ann Heninger. John married Mary V. Hambrick. Nancy married John Floyd Young. Thomas married Lovina Chadwick Heninger, and later, after her death he married Ida Huntsman. Levi married Ellen Thompson. James married Kate James. Rebecca married Lindsey Brady. 

The descendants of these eight children have spread into nearly all the western states. Many of them have at one time or another become interested in their genealogy and have made an attempt to find the records of their families. As a result, there has been a tremendous duplication of effort and in many cases, each one has interpreted the existing records in their own way, which has resulted in many conflicting claims and dates of births, marriages, and deaths. Written by La Von Fuller Shreeve; date unknown. Found in papers belonging to Hazel Smith Carver, a great-granddaughter.

Wilson's Blacksmith Shop was located on the south side corner of State Street and Main, where the Pharmacy is located now. You can see main street buildings in the background.

James Wilson
Blacksmith

 

James M. Wilson

BIRTH: 25 Dec 1836
Muskingum County, Ohio, USA

DEATH9 Jun 1911 (aged 74)
Mount Pleasant, Sanpete County, Utah, USA

BURIAL:
Mount Pleasant City Cemetery

Mount Pleasant, Sanpete County, Utah, USA

PLOTA / 93 / 3 / 2MEMORIAL ID141394  

 
 

Five Generations: Front--Mina Pritchett, Myrna Pitts, Sarah Ellen T. Pritchett Wilson. Back--Elaine S. Pitts, Vivian P. Smith