Biography of Andrew Vinson Gibbons (1849-1932) Part 4—Glendale and Marriage

Cemetery in Glendale, Utah

Biography of Andrew Vinson Gibbons (1849-1932)

Part 1—Childhood

Part 2—Santa Clara
Part 3—St. George and the Muddy Mission
Part 4--Glendale and Marriage
Part 5--Arizona
Part 6--St. Johns

By Andrew Smith Gibbons, III, Ph.D.

GLENDALE 

But the Muddy Mission years were destined to end as the two states of Arizona and Nevada both claimed the area for taxation purposes, A.V.'s father elected to move to Long Valley on Utah's Sevier River. Townsites which Mormon settlers had abandoned earlier due to Indian pressures seemed a good location for settlement, and the Gibbonses were among those who chose to relocate there. On March 1, 1871, after a one-month journey filled with many hardships, the party entered southern Long Valley. Some families remained in the Southern end of the valley and settled in an area they named Orderville while others including the Gibbonses, continued north to Berryville Fort, later renamed Glendale. When they arrived measles were spread through many families. Poor weather was no help, and three of A.V.’s brothers and sisters—Charles Rudolphus, Evaline and Adeline—died shortly after arriving. Once again there was sorrow and a sense of loss, this time greater because the children had grown in age and formed attachments with the family. As if to deny death power over its members, the Gibbons family continued to add new members. On September 4, 1872 a child destined to live, Le Roy, was born. 

Also in reaffirmation of their hopes for life, the older Gibbons children began to marry at this time. Sarah had married previous to coming to Long Valley in September of 1863. William married during the trip from the Muddy Mission to Berryville Fort in February 17, 1871, and Eliza married on June 30, 1872, two months before Le Roy's birth. This left four children in the Gibbons home after September 1872: A.V., 23; Richard, 14; Joshua, 10; and infant Leroy. Andrew Vinson was not to marry for three years and so remained the only one of the older children free to devote full time to his father's household. Since Andrew Smith Gibbons spent much of his time at home during this period (until the end of 1873), it means that A.V. may have had much of the company of this distinguished man during work and while attending to church duties during that period. 

One of A.V.'s memories of this period related to his grandson, Andrew Smith Gibbons, Jr., illuminates the character of A.V. and his father and something of their relationship. A.V. remembered that the job of weeding the garden was handled in the form of a challenge. The challenge was to determine who had the longest reach. A.V. and his father each stood in one spot and picked as large a radius of weeds as was possible standing, then kneeling, then finally lying flat. There is no information as to whose radius was larger, but the image of father and son lying on their bellies in the garden, probably laughing at each other, is wholesome and appealing and makes us wonder what it was that the pioneers were missing that we have so much of today. 

Rizpah Gibbons bore her final child, Lola May, in 1874, while A.V. was still at home. By now he must have fully mastered the moves of the expectant brother/father and been an efficient assistant to the midwife when that was necessary. 

MARRIAGE 

Bishop John Smith Harris,
Father of Nancy Elizabeth Harris,
Performed her marriage to
Andrew Vinson Gibbons

It was not long after this event that A.V. married seventeen year-old Nancy Elizabeth Harris, also of Glendale, and entered a sequence of events that was to draw him into a whole new world of experience and to still another new home. The exact date of A.V.'s marriage is not clear. Three sources give conflicting dates. The LDS Encyclopediagives the date of December 26, 1876. Nancy Elizabeth Harris, the girl that he married, told a reporter (or at least the reporter remembered it that way) that the date of marriage was December 6, 1875. Family group sheets in possession of family members give both dates. The marriage was performed by Nancy's father, John Smith Harris, the Bishop in Glendale, Utah. 

On December 27, 1875 family group sheets show the couple being sealed in the St. George temple. The date of sealing is more supportive of the 6 December 1875 as the original wedding day, since it is a considerable overland trip from Glendale to St. George, and the date would allow time for that trip between the wedding and the sealing. Besides there being some doubt as to the date of the marriage, there is also some doubt as to its location. Family group sheets show the sealing taking place in St. George. Nancy, however, in a published newspaper account describes travelling to Salt Lake City by wagon to have the Glendale marriage sealed in the Endowment House.

Regardless of exactly where and when they were married, it is sure that the young couple decided to settle in Glendale following their marriage, where A.V. practiced farming and stock raising skills he had learned in his youth. 

Nancy Elizabeth Harris as a young woman

A.V.'s judgment in selecting a companion appears to have been fortunate, for he married a woman of energy and principle. Elizabeth was born August 6, 1858 by her own account (or 1856 by some existing pedigree charts) in Washington, Washington County, Utah, near St. George. To place the date in perspective, it was only a few years after the "Utah War", in which the U. S. Government army entered Utah for the purpose of dealing with the "Mormons." Elizabeth's family consisted not only of brothers and sisters, but the father John Harris, and his father, Moses Harris, and Moses's wife Fanny Smith Harris. Also associated with the family in its moves was Elizabeth's maternal grandfather, William Aldredge, who died in Washington only a few years after Elizabeth's birth.

Elizabeth is remembered as a lively companion, energetic, determined, intelligent, and concerned for the spiritual welfare of her family. Reminiscences characterize her as a person of strong conviction—religious and otherwise—and as being willing to follow up conviction with action, even when it was unpopular and sure to net unpleasantries in return. If she was impulsive, then her history shows that that trait was balanced by long-term commitment to worthwhile goals. At a time undetermined, the Harris family moved to Harrisburg, then to Leeds, and finally to Glendale when Elizabeth was about eleven years old (about 1869). 

It did not take time for the young family to expand. On April 3, 1878 a daughter, Naomi, was born to Nancy. In less than a year after Naomi's birth, on December 20, 1878 the family grew again. This time it was not a brother or sister that was added to the family, but another mother. Following the example of his father, and in accordance with the Latter-day Saint principle of celestial marriage, Andrew Vinson married Sarah Ella Harris, sister to Elizabeth and five to seven years her junior. 

Elizabeth is remembered as a person of action and energy, and Ella as a person with a more sensitive, thoughtful nature. Her emphasis, too, was on the spiritual welfare of her family, and she trusted the Lord implicitly. Her patience and industry, as that of most women who took part in multiple marriages, appear to have been exemplary. 

It must have been around this time that A.V. and his families lived in the white house at the north end of Glendale. The house, which still stands today, is a handsome white frame, two-story structure. Judging from its age, it was well-built. 

The family did not grow again for almost exactly two years. On December 16, 1880, a son, Andrew Smith Gibbons, was born to Elizabeth. He was born in the white house, and being the first son no doubt was the object of much pride for A.V. Given a few years this son would not only be a valuable worker in A.V'S farming and stock raising pursuits, but with time would become the one to carry on that work. There would certainly be much to do, for it is reported that during the years in Glendale A.V.'s fortunes continued to grow steadily under the hands of the experienced, well trained husbandman. 

Somewhere in this period the constant motion of A.V.'s father, which had been stilled for a few years, began again, at first with assistance trips to work with Indian matters, but eventually with a call to join the effort of colonizing northern Arizona lands. A.S. Gibbons as usual accepted the call and left the southern Utah home in which he had spent so many undisturbed years with his oldest son. Not only was A.S. Gibbons involved in this call, but A.V.'s brother William, and his family and A.V.'s father-in-law, John Smith Harris as well. The calls appear to have been made as part of an apportioned quota of calls made throughout Utah under the direction of the First Presidency of the Church. These calls were made to fill an urgent need for the settlement of St. John's, Arizona Territory, and other northern Arizona LDS colonies just being settled. 

No doubt A.V. watched the departure of his father with some of the feelings he had experienced as a boy, when he had also watched his father prepare to travel and then leave. This time, again A.V. was not to travel with his father, and it must have crossed his mind that his father was advancing in years and the northern Arizona country was still quite wild. 

A.V. could not have guessed the circumstance through which he was to be reunited later with his father. As his father left he may have felt the pull of adventure or of filial ties, but projects in Glendale had been started and required attention, particularly the job of further building his own family. The next major event in that effort took place April 5, 1883, when Lovina Ella was born to Ella in Glendale. 

To be continued . . .

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).

Grandma Gibbons: Stories of Nancy Elizabeth Harris, by Roy Wilhelm

I am proud to be a Harris and it is a pleasure for me to come here and talk about my grandmother, Nancy Elizabeth Harris Gibbons. She was not only one of my favorite people; she was, for all practical purposes, the only mother I ever knew. My own mother having been taken from this life when I was only eight years old, I don't remember too much about her. 

Grandma Gibbons was born in Washington, Washington County, Utah, to John Smith Harris and Nancy Aldridge Harris. After living in the Leeds-Harrisburg area for a while, the family moved to Glendale where old Grandpa John Harris became a somewhat wealthy man. 

It was here that Grandma met and married a young man, Andrew V. Gibbons. And it was here that her only two children were born. This would be my own mother, Naomi Gibbons Wilhelm, and LeVon Thurber's father, Judge Andrew S. Gibbons. 

The Harrises, five brothers and three sisters, were a close-knit and loving family. But somehow Uncle Bill, or Will as Grandma always called him, seemed to be a little extra special. Fortunately for them both, they were privileged to live as close neighbors here in St. Johns for the greater part of their lives. 

Along with the rest, Grandma was a very gifted person and had interests in many fields. An avid reader on many subjects, she was a well educated person by the standards of the time. And today we can see many of her gifts and talents as they crop up in individual members of her posterity. 

It is almost impossible to give even a brief account of Grandma's life without bringing Grandpa into the picture. Not only because they were a lifelong team, but on account of them being a high-strung pair, they had a very unusual relationship. 

Grandma told of an incident on their way from Utah. She had become worried about the absence of fresh milk in the children's diet. They were growing sickly and peevish. As Grandma was not one to mince words, she jumped on Grandpa and demanded that he furnish the milk. He, in turn, countered that not among his own stock nor those of the other pioneers was there one cow that was giving milk. 

Well, Grandma didn't like his attitude and so demanded that he get on the ball and get busy. “I didn't ask for an alibi. I asked for some milk. Now as the family provider, I expect you to furnish it.” 

They were hardly on speaking terms the rest of the evening, but next morning Grandpa was up early. Getting a quart cup from the chuckbox, he disappeared into the circle of wagons. In a matter of minutes he was back with a quart of fresh warm milk. Well, this stopped the little kids from crying, and Grandma had won the battle. 

Each morning it was the same story; Grandpa would get the cup and come back with a fresh quart of milk. And the children were doing just fine. 

Of course, this piqued Grandma's curiosity no end, but she had won the skirmish and decided it best to let him think that she knew from the beginning all about his source of milk. 

However, there came a time when she could stand it no longer. 

But she was too proud to ask. So after he left one morning, she shadowed him. She was harldy prepared for what she saw. There stood Grandpa alongside the old mare, merrily milking away into the quart cup. 

Her first inclination was to jump all over him for pulling such a disgusting trick on his own children. But on second thought she began to realize what might have happened to the kids without that milk. And so it was that Grandpa never realized that his good wife had discovered the source of his supply. 

Grandma always felt that our own natural mother had received a premonition that she would be taken from this life at an early aged and had, therefore, wrung a promise from Grandma to ride herd on us boys until such time as we were all settled down and matured enough to escape the pitfalls of this world. With a commitment like this, it is plain to see that Grandma had her work cut out for her right from the start. 

Though we always considered Grandma's place as home, we were actually raised on a cattle ranch by my dad, and visits with Grandma were just a some-time thing. But still she made her home our home and was such a wonderful person that we would return as often as possible. 

But when the time came that we began working farther out in the logwoods and cow camps, she redoubled her efforts to honor her commitment. On those occasions when we did come back, she would gather us around, and as we drank our coffee she would read to us from the good books. And so it was that the small thread of religion that was instilled in us when we were boys was never quite broken. 

Grandma's life was a paradox—sometimes a tragedy and sometimes a thing of joy. But she took it all in her stride. She lost her two children in the prime of their lives. Her husband was a helpless invalid for the last nine years of his life. She endured the frustration of polygamy. And to honor her commitment to her daughter, she raised our youngest brother, Harvey, from a baby to manhood.  Well into her nineties and with a realization that her work was done, this wonderful lady slipped quietly from this life. 

Again, I am proud that I am a Harris and I have enjoyed talking here about Grandma. I think Grandma would like me to finish by relating what I consider to be her ultimate triumph in her lifetime battle of wits with Grandpa. 

When Granddad left for the field one morning he told Grandma to have a hot meal ready for him when he returned because he wanted to go visit his other wife who lived in a little town several miles away. Grandma was not too thrilled about the idea, so instead of cooking dinner, she was sitting in the corner reading a book when he got home from work. 

When Granddad got mad, he was like a raging lion. And on this occasion he was certainly mad. Grabbing her book, he stuffed it in the stove. Then in a domineering way, he ordered her to get with it and hustle up some grub. 

To his great satisfaction Grandma went meekly about carrying out his order. While he was sitting at the table enjoying his meal and silently congratulating himself on his victory, she was out in the yard with a handsaw cutting the tongue off his new wagon.

Source: Given by Roy Wilhelm at the Harris Family Reunion, July 18, 1987