It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any copyright clearances. Permission to publish material from this/these transcript(s) must be obtained from the Supervisor of Reference Services and/or the L. Tom Perry Special Collection Coordinating Committee. W. G. Reese Journal #15 Biographical Sketches, etc. MSS 1952 1 Biographical Sketch of Charles and Sarah G. Reese, by their Son W.G. Reese. Charles Reese, the son of Charles Reese and Mary Morgan Reese was born in Stepaside May 27, 1830. Sarah Griffiths Reese was born at the Slade Mill, in Stepaside, Feb. 15 1833. She was the daughter of William and Mary Williams Griffiths. Sept. 6, 1856 Charles Reese and Sarah Griffiths were united in marriage in the Ambroth Church. They had previously become members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As children they attended school together and vey early in life formed a warm attachment for each other. After their marriage father continued to work in the Grove pit where he earnd a good wage, and mother started a little store which enabled her to earn a little means with which to aid in their contemplated emigration to Zion. As father’s father died young due to wounds received in the battle of Trafalgar and left a family of five daughters and two sons, father began working in the Grove pit at the age of 7 years, and the schooling he received was mostly by self effort and the help of his sisters. When mother was 14 years of age, her father met with a fatal accident which was such a shock to her mother that she died two year’s later leaving dear mother an orphan girl at the age of sixteen to make her way in the world. About this time the Elders of the L.D.S. church visited the locality in which mother and father resided and when mother heard them 2 preach she became converted and at the earliest opportunity told her mother who became much allarmed telling her daughter that these people had a bad name. However mother insisted that she knew they were preaching the true gospel. Her mother urged her to exercise great caution in her procedure regarding the teachings of the Elders are there were many bad re- ports about the Mormons. Mother dropped on her knees by her mother and offered a very ernest prayer that her mother may know that she had a conviction of the truthfulness of ther gospel as taught by the Elders. Her mother was touched and told her little daughter to proceed with caution; which mother but soon after was baptized into the church and so was father, and in Sept. 6, 1856 they were united in marriage as previously stated. In 1860 they embarked on the Under- writer for the U.S. with their two children, [---], nearly 3 years of age and Chas. A about 6 mo. 3 Record of father’s ancestors George Reese Green Plains born [-] 1759 Buried Mar 12, 1848 Ann Reese, his wife 4-5 By W.G. Reese, Record of father and his ancestors Great- Grand Parents {George Rees, Green plains Born 1759 buried, March 12,- 1848√ {Ann Rees, his wife “ July 18 - 1819√ Grand {Charles Rees Born 1793 Dec. 25 – 1837- parents. {Mary Morgan his wife Jan. 10 - 1798 Mar. - 6 – 1859- Died Sept. – 17 - 1904 Father Carles Reese Born May 27 – 1830 Died Sept. – 17 - 1904 Mother. Sarah Griffiths, his wife Born, Feb. 15 1833 “ May 3, 1918 Father’s mother’s people. Great grand- father {Thomas Morgan Born 1770 Buried Aug. 14-1914 aged 44 Great grand-mother {Esther Morgan Born Their children as follows of Thos. & Esther Morgan. Elizabeth Morgan Born Jane Morgan. Born Jan. 14, - 1796, √ Mary Morgan- Born Jan. 10 – 1798 √ Thomas Morgan Born Oct 20 – 1799 Buried May 2 – 1848 aged 54 Ann Morgan Born Mar. 7 – 1804 Sarah Morgan Born Dec, 26 – 1806 Martha Morgan Born Mar. 15, 1810 g= great G. Grand father George Rees Born – 1759 [-] Died, Mar, 1848 G. Grand mother- Ann Rees Following are the children of Geo & Ann. James Rees Born 1786. Buried Aug. 2[-]- 1843. age 57 Charles Rees Born 1793 Buried Dec. 25 – 1937 “ 44 √ Benjamin 1795 added by Norma Reeder David 27 apr 1797 Jennie Chr 10 aug 1800 Children of Father’s parents. √ Esther Reese Christened Apr. 24 – 1825. Ann Reese “ Feb. 2 – 1823 Thomas Reese “ Oct. 7 – 1827 Died 19 Feb 1897. Burried at Hyde Park Utah √ Charles Reese “ June 2 1830 1904 Benson. “ “ Martha Reese “ Apr. 1 – 1832 Mary Reese “ Jan. 11 –1835. Margaret Reese “ Oct 16 –1839. Taken from record of Ambroth Church. [the following computation is written upside-down, on the left side of the table about half-way down] 44 93 [-]7 6-7 Record of James Rees & Jennet Reese his wife James Reese - Born 1786 Buried Aug – 22 – 1843 age 57 yr. Jennet Reese his wife “ 1777 “ May 29 – 1853 – 74 Children of James and Jennet. Charles Reese Baptized Aug. 29 – 1813 William “ “ Feb. 29 – 1820 Husband { {Benjamin Reese of Calves - park and wife { {Elizabeth Reese Children of above George Reese Christened May 5 – 1814. Mary Ann Reese “ Feb. 28-1917. David Reese “ May 14 – 1819 Elenor Reese “ Nov. 12 1829 Man & wife {Thomas Reese of Green-plains {Elizabeth Reese “ “ “ children George Reese Christened Nov. 20, 1825 Elenor Reese “ “ 20 - 1825 8-9 Mother’s ancestors - Father William Griffiths Born May – 1790 mother May Williams Griffiths “ July 1[-] <11th >-1797 children Chr. 23 Mar. 1815 Sarah Griffiths Born Apr. 12, 1815 Died June 11, 1831 “ Thomas Griffiths “ Dec. 12 – 1816 “ Martha Griffith Feb. 16 – 1819 “ Wm. Griffiths Mar. 28 – 1821 died June 28 – 1822 “ Ann Griffiths May – 4 – 1823- Apr. 27 - 1825 “ Wm. Griffiths Apr. 27 – 1825 July 6 - 1827 died June 4, 1883 “ Richard Griffiths void Apr. 12 – 1829 void: July – 6 1830 Rebecca Griffiths Apr. 15 – 1829 July 6 – 1830 – Bur. 18 May 1830 Richard Griffiths July 6 – 1827 June 4 – 1883. Isaac Griffiths Apr. 27 – 1832 29 1831 12 Feb 1876 x Sarah Griffiths Feb. 15 – 1833 May 3 – 1818. 1918 Benson Utah Eliza Griffiths July 26 – 1836 1910 md. John Prout. Rebecca Griffiths. abt 1843 10-11 Following named children of Chas. & Sarah Reese William Griffiths Reese born Aug. 15 – 1857 Died – Oct 13 1938 Logan Utah Chas. Albert Reese “ Nov. 16 – 1859 Died July 24 1919 Logan “ Isaac Reese “ Oct - 1861 Died Oct 6- 1861. Willard Utah Thomas Heber Reese “ Sept. 17 – 1852 Died June 19 1938 Logan “ Mathew Henry Reese “ Nov. 24 – 1864 Died Dec. 25 – 1866 Hyde Park “ John Reese “ Jan. 5 – 1867 Died Jan. 5 1867 Hyde Park “ Andrew James Reese “ Nov. 28 – 1868 “ Sept 8 1942 Benson “ George Willard Reese “ Oct. 7 – 1870 died Jan. 1 – 1871 Benson “ Richard Ohsmond Reese “ Oct. 12 – 1871 “ June 1943 Logan “ Herbert Manti-Reese “ Oct. 12 – 1873 died July 16 – 1885 Benson “ Alma Victor Reese “ May 11 – 1874 died Feb 15 1956 B Logan Utah Moses Martin Reese “ May 9 – 1878 Logan - UT 12 Biographical Sketch of Charles and Sarah Reese. written by their eldest son William Griffiths Reese. Charles Reese, son of Charles and Mary Morgan Reese was born May 27, 1830 in the village of Stepaside and Parish of Ambroth Pembroke Shire, South Wales. At the age of seven his father died due to a weakened body caused by wounds he received in the battle of Trafalgar. Charles was the third <4th> child of a family of seven children – two boys and five girls. The financial condition of the family made it necessary for Charles to go to work in the coal mine near by – called in that vicinity the Grove Pit. At an early age Charles Reese and Sarah Griffith, who lived in the same village where her father operated a grist mill, became very much attached to each other and finally re- sulted in their marriage Sept. 6, 1856. Prior to their marriage they became members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints and shared in the antipathy manifested toward those who identified themselves with th[-] Church. However they worked hard, econiomized and saved means with with which to emigrate to Zion. The mother of Charles Reese felt much dis- tressed for fear that her sons; Chas. and Thomas, would leave her, but they gave her a promise that they would not leave while she was alive. They were true to their promise. About six months after their mothers death Charles and Sarah Griffiths left their home in Wales and took voyage on the Underwriter in the Spring of 1860 for America. The voyage lasted between five and six week and then reached New York. Here Charles and Sarah Reese with their two sons – William G. and Charles A. born res- pectively Aug. 15, 1857 and Nov. 16, 1859; and 13 Thomas Reese and his wife Mary and James Davis and his wife Margaret father’s sister. took a steamboat up the Hudson to lake Era. then they sailed to the landing on the North end of that lake where they took train to Bevier Macon Co, Mo. where they were recommended to go as the coal mines there were giving employment to those accustomed to working in coal mines. When they arrived at Bevier they were given work in the coal mines and the following spring Chas. and Thomas bought an oxteam and a wagon in partnership and at the earliest opportunity started with a company of Mormon Emigrants for Utah. Upon their arrival in S.L. City they decided to go on to Willard where John T. Thain and wife settled. Mr. Thain was a cousin of Mrs. Chas. Reese. Upon arriving in Willard they were given employment in the harvesting of the corn crop and in doing other farm jobs thus enabling them to secure food supplies for the coming winter. Learning that George Thomas and Thomas Rogers – two warm friends from childhood were living in Hyde Park, they hiched Buck and Berry on the wagon and started for Hyde Park which in due time they reached and were given a warm welcome by the companions of their youth and if standing for the Gospel which they embraced about the same time in South Wales, Pembrokeshire. They began at once to excapate a hole in the ground and get logs from the mountain to make a place in which to live during the winter. In due time their wives were brought from Willard and they were identified with the church organization in this ward under the bishop Wm Hyde. The following Spring Thomas Reese left H.P. 14 and started on the return tip to Missouri and settled in Becier shere he took up again the work in the Coal mines Chas. and Sarah Reese “lived and toiled and prospered” in H.P. when, in order to secure larger land holdings, They and George Thomas & family settled on a quarter section of land in what was afterward named Benson. However they remained members of the H.P. ward until the organization of the Benson ward in the year June 14 – 1877 with Alma Harris as bishop and Robert Kewley and Jonathan Ricks as his counselors. Father was later ordained a High Priest. Mother served many years as president of the Relief Society and as president of the Primary. Charles Reese had unusual business ability and his wife was a splendid manager and together they supported a large family and acquired a good deal of property, considering the handicaps of lack of irrigation water, destruction of crops by grasshoppers and a frequent appeal by relatives for help. They became the parents of the following named sons. William G., Charles A, Issac (who died in Willard when an infant) Thomas Heber, Mathew Henry <1864>, John <1867>, George Willard <1870>, , Alma Victor <1875>, Herbert Manti <1870>, Richard Osmond <1871>, Alma Victor, and Moses Martin. At present there are only six living viz, W.G., 76 hr, T.H. 72, A.J. 65, R.O. 63 A.V. 59 and Moses Martin 56. A.J., A.V., and W.S. are the only sons living in Benson. T.H, R O and Moses live in Logan. Two of A.J’s sons Charles and Foster and their daughter Sarah Funk live in Benson. Three of Chas. A’s. sons – Parley, Reynold, And David’s family live in Benson; however Reynold is not married and hauls milk and stays most of the time with his mother in Logan. Arvel C. and Lowell S. both married, live in Benson and have charge of the land and animals of their parents W.G. and Karen A. Reese, Cecil 12 and Ruth 19 are living with their parents. Roland & Gordon the sons of W.G. & Carrie are doing road work for Olof Nelson. Our daughters, Naoma Anderson Anna F. Reeder, Ione Munk, Wanda Ashcroft, Andrew Lamb, Norma Reeder. Scattered around but are often able to come and see us. 15 At a meeting in the Benson Ward following Sunday School Feb. 18, 1934. I was called by the Bishopric H.W. Ballard jr. Lionel Munk and Marvin Thain and Foster Reese, clerk and by the vote of the congre[---] as historian of the Benson Ward As a beginning I will give the names and organizations now functioning Henry W. Ballard jr, Bishop Lionel L. Munk. First counselor Marvin P. Thain. Second counselor. Foster Steele Reese ward clerk Present Sunday School officers. LeRoy Thain Supt. Cash Smith 1st Asst. Frank W. Reese 2nd Asst. Mary Saunders Sec. & Treas. {Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Association 1931 {Melvin J. Ballard, Pres. {Earl Jorgensen 1st Counse {Wilburn Mooseman. {Lamont Larson Sec. and Treasurer. 1931 {Young Ladies Mutual Imp. Association {Isabelle R. Cardon, Pres. {Inid F. Reese sec, Counselor {Lilla G. Munk First “ {Edna Cowley – Sec. & Treas. Primary organization. Retta B. Roundy – Pres. Zella T. Beutler 1st Counselor Norma R. Reeder 2nd Counselor ___________ Relief Society – Leone R. Munk Pres. Sarah R. Funk 1st Counselor Edna R. Peterson – (Christina L. Hobbs. Sec & Trea. 16 Preceeding the before mentioned organizations were the following. H.W. Ballard jr Bishop. Silvin Peterson First Counselor. Marvin Thain Second Counselor. J. Vernon Adams. Ward clerk succeeding Alma V. Reese. Nov. 19 – 1920 Primary Organization Feb. Mar. 1933 Carrie A. Reese Sarah Cowley- 1st Counselor Emma Reese 2nd “ 17 Benson Ward was organized June 24, 1777 <1877> by Moses Thatcher, W.B. Preston and Milton Hammond, when the following named were as the bishopric of Benson. 1877 Alma Harris Bishop. Robert Kewley First Counselor Jonathan Ricks Second Counselor. June 14 Mar. 7 Alma continued to serve as bishop until 1877 to Mar. 8 1891 having served about 14 years. His Mar. 9 couselors, Robt Kewley and Jonathan Ricks 1891 “ were also released the same time having served about 14 years. The following were installed as the bishopric Mar. 9, 1891- Henry W. Ballard Bishop. Jonathan Ricks 1st Counselor. Noah Williams 2nd Counselor. Noah Williams left the ward 1895 and Philip Purser took his place in the bishopric Later Jonathan Ricks left the ward and Paul cardon took his place William Catmul served as ward Clerk, and was followed by Lorenzo Roundy, and then H.W. Ballard was sustained as ward Clerk. Nov. 19, 1911 Howard Reese was set apart as bishop of Benson with Marcus Rogers and Thomas H. Reese as his counselors. Marcus Rogers moved to Logan Sept. 1919 and M.J. Falslev took his place Jan. 21, 1912 A.A Reese was called as wd. Clerk and served until Feb. 27, 1921 when J. Vernon Adams was sustained as ward clerk the same day. 18 Feb. 27, 1921 H.W. Ballard jr. was called and sustained as bishop of Benson with Silvan Peterson and Lionel Munk as his counselors, and J. V. Adams as ward clerk. Later J.V. Adams moved from the ward and Foster Reese was made clerk. M.J. Falslev was the choir leader and Sunday School chorister many years and was released in 1931 and Arvel C. Reese was sustained as choir leader and Otto Beutler was sustained S.S. Chorister Ruth was sustained as organist, instead of Norma Feb, 1, 1934. The bishopric of Benson const of H.W. Ballard jr. Bishop. Lionel Munk First Counseler, Marvin Thain Second Counselor. Foster T. Reese Ward Clerk, Arvel C. Reese ward chorister Gene Reese “ Organist 19 History of the Young Men’s Mutual Association in Benson George Thomas was appointed by the Church Authorities to direct the Church activities in Benson as a presiding Elder. In 1874. W.G. Reese taught a little school of 29 pupils. W.G. Reese was put in charge of a Sunday School and a M.I.A. These organizations were conducted by aides appointe by George Thomas and Charles Reese. In 1875 W.G. Reese again was called to teach school of 32 pupils. He also was appointed as S.S. Supt. and being assisted in this work by parents The following year 1876 W.G. Reese went to the B.Y.College. Miss Ida I. Cook being the one in charge. W.D.Williams located in Benson and became the teacher of the district school and Supt. of the Sunday School and Pres. of the M.I.A. As I now recall the following named persons have acted as Superintendants in the Benson Wd. S.S. named in the order of their service – W.G. Reese – H.D.Williams – H.T. Rogers, George Thomas, W.G. Reese, [20] [page is blank} [21] Copied by Nona Gene Reese Genology of Arvel Charles Reese Family Number My Father Born Died M.D. Father 1 Arvel Charles Reese 9th Sept. 1906 July 8th 1931 Mother Gene Heninger Reese 14th March 1908 July 8th 1931 Children Mona Gene Reese 12th April 1932 Merilyn Reese 30th March 1935 Arvel Carleton Reese 20th April 1938 Linda Naomi Reese 18th Jan. 1943 Kenton Henry Reese 31st July 1944 Louise Reese 30 Jan. 1948 Paternal Granparents married Father 2 Wm Griffiths Reese 15th Aug. 1857 13 Oct. 1938 15 Nov. 1899 Mother Karen Andrea Anderson 25 Nov. 1876 “ “ Children Roland Andersen Reese 7 Oct. 1900 Andrea Elizabeth Reese Lamb 29 Oct. 1902 Gordon Wayne Reese 15 Aug. 1904 Arvel Charles Reese 9 Sept. 1906 Norma Marie Reese Reeder 31 Dec. 1908 Lowell Sern Reese 24 May 1912 Ruth Maurine Reese Dahle 2 Nov. 1914 Cecil Everette Reese 3 July 1921 Paternal Gt GR parents Father 3 Charles Reese May 27, 1830 17 Sept 1904 6 Sept 1856 Mother Sarah Griffiths Reese 15 Feb. 1833 3 May 1918 “ Children William Griffiths Reese Aug. 25, 1857 Charles Albert Reese Nov. 16, 1859 Isaac Reese Oct. 6, 1861 Thomas Heber Reese Sept. 17, 1862 Matthew Henry Reese 24, Nov. 1864 John Reese Jan. 5, 1867 Andrew James Reese Nov. 28, 1868 George Williard Reese Oct. 7, 1870 Richard Ashman Reese Oct. 12, 1871 Herbert Manti Reese Oct 12, 1873 Alma Victor Reese May, 11, 1875 Moses Martin Reese May 9, 1878 [22] Genealogy of Arvel C Reese Family Number Paternal Gt, Gt, Grandparents Births Deaths Father (4) Charles Reese Mother Mary Morgan Reese Jan. 10, 1798 Children Ann Reese Hitchins Feb, 2, 1823 Ester Reese Reese Apr. 24, 1825 Thomas Reese Oct. 7 , 1827 Charles Reese May 27, 1830 Maratha Reese April 1, 1832 Mary Reese Jan. 11, 1835 Margaret Reese Davis Oct. 16, 1838 Paternal Gt. Gt. Gt Grandparanets Father (5) George Reese Mother Ann Reese Children James Reese Charles Reese [23] Family No Genealogy of Arvel Charles Reese His Mothers Family Father (6) Soren Andersen Oct. 30, 1834 Apr. 26, 1918 Mother Anne Elizabeth Plowman May 30, 1833 April 4, 1812 Children Andrew (Anders) Andersen Nov. 12, 1863 June. 15, 1919 Soren P. Andersen Nov. 11, 1865 Inger Marie Anderson Seely May 10, 1869 Anne Marie Anderson Chatland Nov. 2, 1871 July 25, 1894 Karen Andrea Anderson Reese Nov. 25, 1876 Father (7) Anders Nielsen Briden Mother Anne Sorensen [pages [24] – [72] are blank] [some pages were torn out between [72] and [73]] [pages [74]-[169] are blank] [170] A tribute to Mrs. Kinnie B. Caine upon her resignation as President of the Cache Stake Relief Society. March 1926. It is with sadness sister Caine, That we bid you adieu, As our beloved president So faithful kind and true, Through the many years that’s past Since you were chosen head Of our Relief Society You have with courage led. -2- It was with much reluctance, That we voted your release Though well we knew you earned it Wth God’s blessing and his peace. The lessons you have taught us Will be helpful in life’s work. And admonish us to diligence And duties ne’er to shirk. -3- When you have had a message For your Sisters to impart You did it with such clearness That it touched each throbbing heart. We knew you had the spirit Of your calling to preside And to guide us in our duties Whatsoever may betide -4- last Stanza In conclusion let us wish you All the comforts you desire With strength to live and labor For ideals you admire. For the Gospel ofor the Son of God Which to your heart is dear And may it grow in luster Through each succeeding year. [171] -4- The spirit of your calling was clearly mani Was clearly manifest In your solicitude for those In any way distressed For hale & forld comfort you would plead. That wants would be supplied. Your sisters never failed to heed Your wish; and aid provide. -5- Your staunch and loyal helpers By your side have firmly stood, And used their time and talent In helping all they could, To advance the great and mighty work Through Joseph Smith made knownWwhich from a small beginning. To such magnitude has grown. [172] 1938 1928 10 36 Nov. 15, 1928 8 Two and fifty years ago today, My Carrie dear first saw the light of day. ‘Twas far away across the deep blue sea, Four thousand miles and more away from me. How marvelous it was that we should meet And [ink blot]ereby make our lives the more complete. By being joined in wedlocks holy bond. Both for this life and for the life beyond. And so for nine and twenty happy years, We’ve shared together many hopes and fears. By heaven’ly Father’s blessing we’ve been given Eight of the choicest gifts of earth or heaven. Three precious daughters and five noble boys, That give to parents greatest earthly joys And help to make life’s labors passing sweet. Not only has my ever patient dear Been mother to those whom I’ve mentioned here But to dear Mary’s darling children too She has been kind devoted loving true. May she be spared through many coming years, To give her aid, her comfort and her cheer, United may we be, and ever be inspired, To guide our offspring in the path desired. That when their mortal life shall reach its close, In Father’s mansion find they, sweet repose, In the celestial kingdom may they dwell Beyond the evil powers of earth and hell. [pages [173]-[179] are blank] [180] Benson, March 23 – 1926 Agreement. This agreement entered into this 23 day of May between W.G. Reese, party of the first part and William Purser party of the second part is as follows. W. G. Reese agrees to plant twentyfive acres of sugar beets more or less, and agrees to do the work necessary for the planting of the same, and to do the team work in the cultivating of said beets. William Purser agrees to take the twenty five (25) acres of beets more of less and agrees to do all the thinning, hoeing irrigating of said beets in the season there- of in a satisfactory manner to the party of the first part. W.G. Reese, party of the first part agrees to furnish transportation of all beets raised on said acreage to the “Reese Pile” He agrees to be on hand to haul said beets as fast as one team can can do so. William purser agrees to top and load said sugar beets as fast as one team can haul. If either party fail to live up to this pro- vision of topping and loading, or of hauling then the delinquint may be sutstituted by the required help at the expense of the party failing to live up to the contract. The party of the second part, Wm Purser, shall receive one-third of the cash proceeds from thie sale of the beets including bonus. William Purser also agrees to assist in the hauling of manure during two days at least, he also agrees to do all the irrigating and to keep weeds off all ditchs banks adjoining said sugar beets. [pages [181]-[184] are blank]