The Early Life of Andrew Smith Gibbons: Memories of His Mother and Daughter

Wives and Children of Andrew Vinson Gibbons:
Standing behind: Andrew Smith Gibbons, Nancy Naomi Gibbons ("Noni")
Seated: Nancy Elizabeth Harris, Sarah Ella Harris
Standing in front: Marion Vinson Gibbons, Orpha Sophia Gibbons

April 28, 1946

Sunday

Dear Frank—It has fallen to my lot to gather the material that you asked Grandmother to send you about Dad. Grandmother is very feeble and doesn’t get around at all and Harvey isn’t much better when it comes to activity, and so you’ve had to wait longer than usual because I have been working. I found very little in the Church records concerning Dad’s early Church activities—the Ward has two very old records, one is being used now and the other has been mislaid and the information in the one isn’t very satisfying. I talked with Grandmother on two different occasions about Dad and I believe she has forgotten a great deal about his early life. I remember so much that Dad told me years ago that with what Grandmother can remember, may give you a small start.

Grandmother was born August 6, 1858 in Washington Town and Washington County in Utah as Elizabeth Harris. She was baptized by Mosiah Hancock when she was eight. Date has been forgotten. She and Grandfather were married December 6^th1875 by her father, John Smith Harris, in Glendale, Utah. 

Grandfather was born April 3, 1849 Council Bluffs, Iowa. Grandmother doesn’t remember anything concerning his younger life. One reason I suppose was that she didn’t know him only as a grown man.

Grandmother said their first home was just a three room shack—nothing very good—the town was small and unprogressive. (20 families) Royal J. Cutler was Bishop. They moved to Arizona when Dad was three years old—in October.

Dad:

1. Born December 16, 1880 Glendale Utah, Kane County

2. Baptized May 2, 1889 by L. P. Jensen. Confirmed same day by Wm. H. Gibbons (Uncle Bill)

3. Ordained to High Priest 1915. (The above is all I could find—maybe something else can be found later when the records are straightened up)

4. General disposition as a baby—boy—young man—very quiet, reserved, liked to play by himself in preference to companions. This held true throughout his life.

5. Liked to read, was a great conversationalist on subjects of value, disliked idle talk and gossip. (I wonder where I get my desire to gab? Ha!). He liked corn meal mush, salt rising bread, disliked macaroni, noodles & spaghetti (as who doesn’t). Liked nice clothes, good books and magazines—enjoyed editorials and loved everything connected with England. The High School now has a set of his history books pertaining to England. Enjoyed a good game of chess & checkers. Had a secret passion to “strike it rich” in wildcat mining—got great satisfaction out of helping someone out of a difficulty—disliked politics but loved his work as a Judge while he held the office. Was modest in taking credit for a great many things he made possible to happen—liked Shakespeare, especially “Hamlet” and “Macbeth.”

6. His attitude toward school—particular scholastic interests. He enjoyed his school very much—mathematics was his great love. The family lived in the field and he and Aunt Noni walked to and from school daily. The schoolhouse was up on the hill south of town. The entire walk was about four miles. He read through McGuffy’s “5^th Reader” which to put it mildly was an accomplishment only the very best ever attained such success! (I’d like to see the book). He was very possessive where books were concerned. He owned a great many, starting the collection very young.

7. Interesting experiences connected with boyhood: Grandmother doesn’t remember anything, only an ordinary humdrum existence. I believe that is why Dad read so much (Grandfather was a slave driver, to put it mildly)—this must be off the record, because Dad has often told me that he didn’t know how to relax and really enjoy life until you and Ruth came along. He skimped and saved to buy a bicycle.

8. Nature and extent of Church activity: Attended regularly. Grandmother said he did everything that was required of him.

9. Athletic interests: Baseball was first with Dad. He enjoyed football a while in College. Took up tennis and became very good in it. He excelled in all the sports he undertook because he took everything so serious—he acted as if his whole existence depended on winning.

10. Social Life: Wasn’t too much of a social soul but enjoyed dancing and took part in several plays, played the guitar rather nicely, which kept him in the social whirl. I’m sure if he were here he’d admit that he was just a “square in a social circle,” because petty chatter bored him.

Grandmother said that the only undesirable thing about the polygamist home was the fact that the law kept them in a state of unrest and anxiety all of the time—the children were scared to death all the time. Dad once told me that it was his fear of the law that drove him to studying it. He couldn’t understand why the law that was to protect one’s rights should continually keep one in hot water all the time. He read Blackstone when he was thirteen or fourteen years old. The two families got along very nicely. I’m sure they had their ups and downs as all families must have but nothing grew into a major issue and the petty differences were quickly forgotten.

11. Cherished ambitions he might have had—He had a secret desire to write. His ability to express himself in writing was one to be envied. But he felt that it took more time than he could afford to spend (don’t we all feel that way about a non-profit desire). I really believe Dad had the ability to have “gone places” in the literary field. He also wanted to be a great teacher—he really was but so darned modest about it he’d have you believe that he really had not talent along that line. He once told me that when his family was all married off and he and mother were again alone, his desire was to devote his life to teaching, reading and writing.

12. Fears and apprehensions: Dad’s whole life was shadowed with the fear of being paralyzed. This fear was strengthened when Grandfather was stricken. He also was afraid of losing his hearing—he made the remark one day that if he had to part with one of his senses he’d rather lose his sight than his hearing. I know he spend weeks in Phoenix having his ears treated. I believe this fear grew from the fact that Grandfather had a sister that was stone deaf.

13. His demeanor around the home: He was intensely interested in the family’s interests—their little everyday accomplishments and setbacks, their desire to improve and surge ahead. He enjoyed “kids”—he used to have us line up against the wall, close our eyes, open our mouths and hold one foot up—the reward was always a piece of candy. Around his mother’s home I’ve an idea he was very patient and understanding because Grandfather inclined to be brisk, outspoken and harsh, and some one had to be a mediator. Grandmother admits that she had a hasty tongue in her day, and for all her years her tongue is still very sharp and hasty at times.

14. Grandmother said you might contact John Brown for some of his young friends’ opinions and associations. I don’t know where John is—I’ll have to find out. Dad used to play ball with June Gibbons—you might write him.

Wall, there might be some things you can use and again I don’t know—as I said in the beginning, Grandmother’s memory is 87 years old and she’s had a great deal to think about in the past twenty years, so it’s no wonder that she remembers hazily.

Is Mother still in Salt Lake? Hope she is well—tell Helen hello—hope you guys are doing nicely.

Bye for now
Le Von

Source: Personal Documentary Record of Francis M. Gibbons, Volume II, (Salt Lake City, 1992).