Smurthwaite, Margaret Eleanor (Heywood) Graduation 1838, Newspaper.

(Mother of the contributor, Richard N. Heywood)

Margaret Eleanor Smurthwaite Graduation, 1939

Arizona State Teachers College

 Margaret Smurthwaite Heywood graduated from  Arizona State Teachers College as reported in the Arizona Independent Republic 26 May 1939

 Seniors graduating with High Distinction include Margaret Smurthwaite Heywood.  Arizona Republic, Arizona State Teachers College.  31 May 1939

Smurthwaite, Margaret Eleanor (Heywood) (1895-1992) Unforgettable Teacher

(Mother of the contributor, Richard N. Heywood)

Margaret Heywood With Students at Mesa High School
About 1952

My Most Unforgettable Teacher (1)

     She stands erect behind her podium with an air of sophistication all her own. From the tips of her toes to the top strand of her silvery hair-do comes a look of having just been introduced to the President of the United States. All five-feet-two inches (2) of her stands with stability beyond comparison. She relays to her audience the pertinent message, “I’m boss of this class; don’t anyone tread on me!”

     Her horned-rimmed glasses and proud chin emit the look of a confident character not to be tampered with; however, her sparkling eyes and dimpled cheeks counteract this impression with the certainty of her wanting to have fun too.

     Upon entering her room, you feel a sense of gaiety bubbling throughout. You promptly sit down and immediately become fixed upon her presence at the head of the class, busily trying to collect her thoughts and material to execute the proceeding of another class period. She quickly takes the roll with the assistance of her pupils, who by this time have entered into jovial conversation with each other as if they hadn’t seen each other for days and wouldn’t see each other again for days to come.

     With the roll business dispatched, she straightens herself to her full height with a severe yet characteristic utterance, “Students, come to school.” You quickly stop your talking and settle down with her to the studies at hand. You are quickly brought into the atmosphere of your subject by her complete, short summarization of the previous day’s activities. She then delves into the day’s discussion with all her soul. She becomes so enraptured with her subject that you can’t help but break loose from the cares of the day and travel with her into the world of English Literature. You sit back and marvel, for her years are added-upon; and you wonder how she ever does it. It is then you realize that she is your most UNFORGETTABLE TEACHER.

     All too soon the bell, with a clang of rudeness, breaks into the class and announces that the period is over. You gather your books and reluctantly walk out of her class to her gentle announcement, “Class dismissed.”

1 Written about Margaret S. Heywood by Jared N. Huish as a student at Mesa High School (Class of 1961), Mesa, Arizona. Published with his permission. 
2 She was actually 5 feet in height.

Smurthwaite, Margaret Eleanor (Heywood) (1895-1992) Short Bios by Barb and Carol

(Mother of the contributor, Richard N. Heywood)

                                                                  MY MOTHER,

                                MARGARET ELEANOR SMURTHWAITE HEYWOOD

By Barbara Lea Heywood Price

            Margaret Eleanor Smurthwaite Heywood, my mother, was a remarkable lady.  She graduated at the head of her class in high school, attended the University of Utah where she received a certificate to teach.

            And teach she did!  For forty-seven years!  During her teaching time she received her bachelor's and master's degrees from Arizona State University.  She raised five children and always held a position in the Church.  The Church jobs were ones of considerable responsibility:  Primary President, Young Women's Stake President, Gospel Doctrine teacher, and she was the director of several Church drama productions in Primary, Mutual and Relief Society, thus utilizing the many talents she developed as she was growing up and also inherited from her family in Wellsville.

            Teaching was her love.  She was often heard to say, "I loved every minute of it!"  In Los Angeles, she was the principal of an all black school for a time.  She taught elementary, high school and college.  When she retired from teaching in Mesa she moved to Hawaii and taught in the Church College there.  Now, you may think, "How could she do all that and raise a family, too?"  Well, she certainly did, and with a wonderful flair.

            At home, she never spared herself.  Our meals were always good.  We sat down to our Sunday meals with lovely dishes, a table cloth and tasty dinners.  Of course, we helped.  She was a great supervisor.

            Her seamstress abilities were wonderful.  She made clothes for all of us, sometimes from newly purchased material and occasionally a makeover from something Jo had grown out of.  The things she made were always very fine.  My dresses were beautiful.

            Now, Mom was simply outstanding in almost everything; however, her auto driving was not her best thing.  She just didn't have that kind of talent.  She always felt that she was lacking in mechanical skills.  She had never learned to skate or ride a bicycle.  My dad, Leland, taught her to drive a car after they were married.  Mom never did like to drive so as soon as we were old enough, the keys were handed to us to be her special drivers.  First, Josephine, then, Barbara, then Al, and finally, Richard.  Then, much later, Carol gladly took on that job.

            Mom was the navigator.  When one of her grandsons, Bill Price, was fourteen years old and visiting her in Hawaii, she handed him the keys and he drove her all over Oahu.  (I didn't find that out for many years afterward.)

            Another thing about Mom and cars was she didn't recognize different makes too well, and recognizing her own car was sometimes a problem.  Such was the time she got into Bill Tucker's car and drove it home from the store (the key fit!!).  Of course, Bill Tucker thought his car was stolen.  Everything worked out though.

            Mom was cheerful and had a positive disposition.  She didn't just assign us household jobs, she worked with us cleaning windows, hanging laundry, and fixing meals.  She had a tendency to say yes to our requests (well, of course, they were reasonable---most of the time).  She told me that she needed to do that because she felt that Leland, my Dad, was a bit too negative about things.

            Mom was active, reasonably healthy and always happy to see us until the last part of her life.  The last three years were not so good.  She didn't recognize us, thought I was Sara, and I didn't mind.  Having her for a mother was one of the greatest things that could ever have happened to me!

                                                                                                                     Barbara Lea Heywood  Price      

                                                           NOTES FROM CAROL

            There are many fond memories I have of my Mother.  Mom loved to shop.  We had many great shopping trips together.  There was the "2 for 1" sale at "Lewis" Shoe Store in Phoenix.  She would really stock up on shoes then.  She loved fine things and knew where to get them.  As we shopped she taught me how to choose fine quality.  She would take me dress shopping and show me how we could buy the material and copy a pattern and how to add to the boughten pattern to make it like the dress we had seen.  Once we were in a fine crystal shop and because they had the Fostoria Red Goblets on sale, she bought all they had.  Another time when my daughter Amy was small and Mother had six granddaughters all about the same age we came across six long dresses (red checked) that she bought the store's supply.

            Mother had a great gift for putting her thoughts on paper.  She knew how to word a letter to me, especially when I was down.  Her letters were so special and she knew how to pick one's spirit up.

            She had a zest for life and was full of enthusiasm.  When she told a story to her family or read to her English Literature class, she became engulfed in her stories.  She loved a lovely home and was a wonderful example of what a mother stands for.  I am so blessed to have had her as a parent.  She taught me the finer things in life and how to enjoy life itself.  Our holidays were great.  She made them special.

            My Mom even shopped for the best housekeepers, gardeners, ironers, etc.  She knew the true meaning of "Shop until you drop!"

Carol Jayne Heywood French

Smurthwaite, Margaret Eleanor (Heywood) (1895-1992) Bio by Al and Phyl Heywood

(Margaret is the mother of the contributor, Richard Neal Heywood)

Margaret and her daughter, Josephine.

Click for Pioneer Ancestry

Our Mother

Margaret Eleanor Smurthwaite Heywood

By

Alfred and Phyl Heywood

            We are grateful for the opportunity to add to the history of the Smurthwaite Family, a brief account of a very beloved member of that family, our mother, Margaret Eleanor Smurthwaite Heywood.

            She was born October 9, 1895 in Ogden, Utah, the third child and first daughter of Alfred and Margaret Eleanor Brown Smurthwaite.  The family later moved back to Wellsville where she spent her childhood and growing-up years.  She was christened "Margaret", but in her early years she was called Marguerite because of a popular song of the day with that title. Her parents sang the song together and began calling her "Marguerite."  They did this until "Marguerite" discovered who she really was, "Margaret"; then she insisted on being called by her real name.  Propriety was always one of her trademarks!

            Margaret was filled with zeal for life, much like her mother, and she seemed bequeathed with virtuous characteristics from her wonderful parents.  She was particularly influenced by her parents' English background, her father having emigrated from England at an early age.  She loved the amiable and enthusiastic atmosphere of her childhood home, and this was very apparent to the outsider looking on.  At the time of their courtship, Margaret's future husband, Leland Heywood, likened the family to that portrayed in the book and play, "Little Women," because of the love and affection he observed in their home.

Mildred died when almost 18.

            This love and affection within the home surely must have aggravated the pain caused by the loss of two of her eight siblings due to accidents.  Margaret often spoke with a certain wistfulness of her sister, Mildred, who was paralyzed from a fall from a tree at 8 years of age and died of complications when she was almost 18.  She remembered with sadness the Thanksgiving Day accident that took the life of her beloved brother, Armand.  He was just two years older than she, and was a great companion.  They had much fun together.  He would dance with her at the children's dances, and at home would practice the dance steps with her to give her confidence.  When it was his turn to select players for his side in active games like "Prisoner's Base" and Baseball he would choose her.  One can understand the terrible void that his passing left for her.

            Margaret was a quick, enthusiastic student.  She loved to learn and did exceptionally well in her studies.  She loved music and spoke of having a lead role in a school musical.  By the time she was in the eighth grade she had made such a good impression on her teachers that she was called upon to be a substitute teacher when the 1st grade teacher was absent.  This seemed to be the beginning of a great love for much of her life’s work, teaching school.

            Mom was the valedictorian of her graduating class and soon enrolled at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City.  She was not able to finish her education at this time, but received her certificate to teach.  She returned to her beautiful Cache Valley to begin her teaching career at Logan, Utah. 

            It was in Logan while rooming with Velma Heywood that she met Velma's brother, Leland.  From the beginning she became attached to the Heywood family, as she, Velma, Leland and their brothers David and Yates spent many enjoyable times together.  The foursome planned to meet for an outing, but Leland caught Margaret alone before the others arrived.  He made what became a most memorable proposal in the kitchen with the dirty dishes and blots of jam and crumbs decorating the table.  He hurriedly asked her to marry him and her answer was an immediate "Yes", in spite of what she described as the "crumby, unromantic place to propose!"

            On August 16, 1921 Margaret received her endowments in the Salt Lake Temple.  The following day she and Leland both were given patriarchal blessings by Hyrum G. Smith, the Church Patriarch.  Then, the following day, August 18, 1921, Margaret and Leland were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple by Hyrum G. Smith.  Mother Smurthwaite was in attendance at the wedding.

            This marked the beginning of a very full and wonderful life together.  Margaret was truly a helpmeet to her husband, always willing to help him achieve the dreams that he had as a young man.  After Leland's first degree in pharmacy and working at drug stores in Mesa and Chandler, Arizona they decided that his interest was more in dentistry.  So Leland enrolled at the University of Southern California School of Dentistry and Margaret helped sustain the family by teaching school.

            Margaret and Leland did not wait to begin their family.  On November 18, 1922 Margaret Josephine was born in Mesa, Arizona.  It was while they were in California that Barbara Lea was born, October 2, 1928 in Los Angeles, California.  Alfred Leland was born in Snowflake, Arizona on June 17, 1930.  Richard Neal was born April 10, 1933 also in Snowflake.  Carol Jayne was born July 3, 1940 and became a member of their family in April of 1945.

            Margaret has left a legacy for her family as a gracious, able and giving mother and grandmother.  She created a comfortable and beautiful home wherever she lived.  Carol remembers the shopping trips to Phoenix, seeing the newest styles and fabrics and then going home to have them recreated at home for a much-reduced price.  One way or another she saw to it that her family was well dressed, had educational opportunities, music lessons, all of the benefits that would lead them down the path to a full life. 

            Her attention for these things did not stop with her children, but carried on with her grandchildren.  They could not help but remember her and "Granddaddy's" willingness to help out in about every situation.  Her annual New Year's Eve parties for her children and grandchildren were anxiously awaited by all.  She and Jo would fill a piñata with a myriad of goodies and little toys for the children.  A delicious buffet was served with her most beautiful serving pieces.  She would give her readings for us all, "Betty and the Bar" and "The Twins", and then everyone would go on the hunt for a personal gift.  She would hide the gifts around the house.  It was a tradition long to be lovingly remembered.  Yes, Margaret was a wonderful family person.  But to the Mesa community she is remembered as "teacher".

            Actually, Margaret began her teaching career in her late teens.  She said that once she had successfully taught school at that young age she always retained a sense of security.  In addition to this sense of security she always displayed self-confidence.  These two attributes surely must have played a part in a lifetime optimism and self-confidence in the classroom where she was always in control.

            It was probably in her first teaching assignment where she first displayed her ability to "take charge" in the classroom.  Margaret was short, 5 feet, and slight of stature, but she could stand much taller than that and knew how to assert more than a slight effect upon any who might challenge her.  This was displayed throughout her career but began early on when she first taught in a one-room school with big and somewhat older farm boys who were bigger and stronger and (seemingly) tougher than Margaret.  When she recognized the potential problem, she confronted their leader and let him know who was in charge.  It seems that she, in effect, stared him down and the potential bullies were subdued.

            To say that she never had classroom problems would be to exaggerate, but few would compare in her ability to control a classroom.  She not only knew how to rise to any occasion, but also knew how to call upon a resource beyond herself.  She reported that sometimes, when things were not going just right, she would turn to the blackboard, as though writing something, and say "a little prayer", then things would just "smooth out."

            But classroom discipline is only a part of teaching, and Margaret excelled in other aspects as well.  Her students learned the facts, feelings and inspiration of great literature.  They learned to think and to systematically express their thoughts.  They learned the mechanics.  They learned to create.  They wanted to learn more.

            Margaret's teaching was without respect of persons.  She had the ability to bring out the best in the gifted, interested student as well as the disinterested.  She corrected without hesitation, but without demeaning the student.  She extended more help to those with extra interest and to those with extra needs.  It was not uncommon to find a student seated at her kitchen table in the evening receiving help on a writing project.

            One student expressed the impossibility of his being able to write a research paper.  He lacked the interest and the skill.  He disliked school and was ready to quit.  He had no hope for success in school.  Margaret, listened to his discouraged, despairing words and then asked what he was interested in.  He said, "Chickens."  She then sparked an interest and helped him write about his hobby of raising chickens.  This proved to be a turning point in his life.  He later became a successful teacher himself.

            Margaret's career included forty-seven years of teaching, ranging from the one room grammar school to the college classroom.  She taught in Plymouth, Wellsville, Smithfield, and Bingham Canyon, Utah; St. Johns and Youngberg, Arizona; she taught for twelve years in Los Angeles, California and for twenty years at Mesa High School in Mesa, Arizona.

            It was while at Mesa High School that she reached the mandatory retirement age of 65. How she happened to teach there for two extra years makes an interesting tale.  Margaret claimed neither interest nor skill in mathematics.  As a child she knew her age, but she felt no confidence in figuring the year of her birth.  She decided to rely on a fellow student for this fact and asked a boy her age "who was good at math" to give her year of her birth.  It seems he knew his year of birth and related to her with confidence -- 1896.  She assumed that it was correct and entered that date on documents from that time on.  All official and unofficial records included this year of birth.  Margaret didn't discover her correct year of birth until proof was needed for a passport application.  During the research needed to create a birth certificate, it was discovered she was born in 1895 instead of 1896.  She let the record stand and was therefore allowed to teach an extra.    Then, because she was a department head they allowed an additional “extra” year.  Thus, she taught at Mesa High School two years beyond the usual mandatory retirement age of 65.  Then, she taught an additional 5 years at the Church College of Hawaii (now BYU Hawaii campus)!

            As we, her family, meet her former students we have good feelings as they express their love and appreciation for the influence of their teacher.  She will be long remembered in the schools, community and church.

            One's greatest influence is within the home and family, and Margaret will always have the love and admiration of her posterity.  She saw to it that each need was fulfilled.  Her energy, enthusiasm and optimism were boundless.  At least ninety of her ninety-six years found her in excellent health, which we attribute to her prudent living, i.e., daily exercises, good eating habits and positive attitude.  Margaret was full of faith, loving and serving the Lord throughout her life.  Her family is very grateful for the legacy that she left for them.

            In her later years Margaret was called to teach a class on child rearing in Relief Society.  One of her lessons was on "Grandmothering".  She wrote the following:

"What Can Grandmothers Do?"

            As the matriarch of the Leland Heywood family, just what can I do to help that family?  Well, I have written for them and for my brothers and sisters the life stories of my parents, Alfred Smurthwaite and Margaret Ellen Brown, both estimable people.

            I am planning my life story and that of my husband, hoping that our influence with our extended family might prove beneficial and inspirational in their lives.  In fact, I hope that we shall never be forgotten!

            As an old woman, lonely and frail in health, I can still do some constructive things if I will to do so; and I so will it!

            I can be cheerful, not complaining or bitter, not, as my father would have phrased it "forever belly-aching!"  Yes, I can smile and be cheerful.

            I desire the approval of my grandchildren.  I can turn on the charm for them.  I can still talk of optimism and courage with a pair of shining eyes and an optimistic giggle.  Over and above that, I can give them assurance of my approval of them, of my acceptance of them as they are, no matter what.  I might find it difficult to refrain from pointing out faults and weaknesses; but always, on closer view, I can find something to praise, to stimulate faith and to awaken courage.

            Then we settle down to a discussion of material needs.  Somehow we manage to meet the semester fees and book needs.  We see that those ever-recurring repair problems with the car are paid for when need arises.  Yes, somehow, they must manage to get to and from.  Above all, they must have a scholastic, technical or mechanical education sufficient to insure fair and equal competition in our industrial world.

            I can keep my home a pleasant place for my grandchildren to enjoy.  They seem to relax here where they find quiet and order.  I can work in the yard keeping the walks swept, the weeds pulled and flowers planted.  I enjoy work.  "Work", you know, "is love made visible."

            I can make my small contribution to the Church and the community.  I try to support civic projects such as the Community Chest, the Mesa Symphony and the Mesa Little Theater.  I desire my grandchildren to grow up in a town furnishing much in cultural advantages.  Surely they should know that I do my bit towards making their home city a desirable place in which to live.

            I set my example before my family in keeping family records.  I urge them to begin their accurate record keeping now.

By Margaret S. Heywood, at age 87

     Love and service to family, school, church, and community are her legacy.   She truly did have the “will to do” and she “did it” for each of us.  For her, we express our love and appreciation.

Heywood, Joseph Neal Jr. (1876-1968) Bio sketch by Bess Erickson

(Uncle of the contributor, Richard N. Heywood

See Also:     

     Musings

     Mattie's Death by Jospeph Neal Heywood

     Reminiscences

     Find A Grave

Joseph Neal Heywood, Pioneer Doctor 

By Bess Ericksen White Mountain Independent, Apr 20 1976

Snowflake’s history could hardly be told without including the life and services of Dr. J. Neal Heywood, who served this community and all the little communities along Silver Creek for over 36 years as their medical doctor, and cherished friend.  Many of his calls were made on horseback before the advent of the automobile, on roads that were non-existent.

But with all the years of struggle as a country doctor, underpaid or never paid, and overworked, he still found time for the beautiful in life.  “Snowflake was his love,” was written on a card of floral offerings at his funeral services.  And that love of his “hometown” never left him even though in his later life with eye-sight failing and strength declining, he was forced to move to Mesa to a warmer climate.

“He lived in a house by the side of the road and was a friend of man,” could well exemplify his life.  Three things he loved:  His family and friends,  love of knowledge, and love of beauty.  His love of fellowmen was only a little less than his love of family…the long-forgotten call of service that he rendered to those in distress, no matter the weather or the darkness of the night, and which found him there whether or not the patient could pay for the call.

His love of knowledge began as a small child at his mother’s knee.  He was born in Spring Valley, Lincoln Co., Nevada, October 23, 1876, and was brought to Alpine in 1880 where he experienced some of the most rugged conditions of Pioneering as he grew up.  He attended the little one-room school, and it was here he first learned to love knowledge.  He longed to know more.  During these early years of manhood he served as a missionary in Texas, returning home just before the death of his father.  He assumed his father’s place providing for and helping with the rearing of the younger brothers and sisters.  To do this, he entered the teaching profession.  At 19 he attended Brigham Young Academy and returned after two years to take a teaching position at Amnity, Greer, St. Johns, Central and Layton.  He also taught a year at Thatcher and was principal there seven years.  He served as principal in Snowflake for many years.  He served on the Snowflake School Board for many years also.

But that did not satisfy his thirst for knowledge, when the time came that he felt he was free enough to launch out for himself, even though he had a young family of his own to care for, he moved to Los Angeles and began the difficult struggle to prepare for the practice of medicine.

After receiving his medical degree in 1915 he practiced in Thatcher, ST. Johns and Snowflake, making Snowflake his permanent home.  But still his quest for learning continued even into his reclining years, until his eyesight became so dim he could no longer distinguish the written word.  With his mind still alert and keen he remained a devout listener.

Dr. Heywood was health officer 25 years for Navajo County and served for nearly 20 years a medical physician for the Snowflake Maternity Hospital.  He was credited with delivering more than 3,000 babies in Navajo County.  He also helped establish the Snowflake water system, and planted trees around the water tank—these trees are now beautiful tall trees, a living tribute to his untiring efforts.  The first immunization program in Navajo County was under his direction and skill.

During World War I he was appointed superintendent of the State Industrial School for Boys at Ft. Grant and had sever 13 years on the State Welfare Board.

Dr. Heywood knew first hand the heartache and pain of losing loved ones.  Many he tried with all his skill to save, but was not successful.  Those were the discouraging times.  When death touched his family, he lost his beautiful young wife, who died, leaving three small children for Neal to care for.  Later he married a brilliant young Danish Woman, Emma Fredrickson, an English teacher at Snowflake High School, and they were parents to five children.  His love of beauty had no bounds—he loved winter’s cloak…Spring’s awakenings belonged to him…every tree, bush, shrub, flower, he knew, and summer and fall each had its season for his love of nature was for all.  After his retirement, he gave generously o his knowledge of growing things, and served for many years, almost without pay, as gardener for the Church.  He introduced many beautiful trees, flowers, shrubs, and plants into the area, and gave generously to those around him.  His dream was to have Snowflake as the “Dahlia Capitol of the State.”  His fame spread far and wide as people stopped to walk around the Church grounds.  He bought many beautiful varieties of iris and every spring the yards were alive with color.  His tall, erect figure, with snowy white hair will long be remembered around Snowflake, but more than that, Snowflakers will remember his kindness, gentleness and patience in time of suffering, and those in outlying ranches will never forget those nights he came, often on horseback, to help when it seemed impossible.  He was a man of his word—and it didn’t matter what personal sacrifice it cost him to get to his patients.

Dr. Heywood was featured in the Ladies Home Journal in the late 1930 for his work as an outstanding “country doctor.”  And what better example could they use.  He died Feb. 20, 1968 at age 92 and was buried by his beautiful young wife in Thatcher.  He truly lived the first commandment:  “To love the Lord, with all his heart, mind and soul; and his neighbor as himself.”

Heywood, Josesph Neal Jr. (1876-1968) Funeral Program

(Uncle of the contributor, Richard N. Heywood)

See Also

     Musings

     Pioneer Doctor by Bess Ericksen

     Mattie's Death by Jospeph Neal Heywood

     Reminiscences

     Find A Grave

Joseph Neal Heywood Jr. (1876-1968)

Funeral Program

In Loving Memory of

Dr. Joseph Neal Heywood, Jr.

635 West Second Street

Mesa, Arizona

Born October 23, 1876

Spring Valley, Nevada

Passed away February 20, 1968

Mesa, Arizona

Funeral Services

Saturday, February 24, 1968, at 9:00 A. M.

Snowflake Ward, L. D. S. Church

Snowflake, Arizona

Officiating

Bishop Ronald Reed

Snowflake Ward, L. D. S. Church

Snowflake, Arizona

Music     Snowflake Ward Singing Mothers

Directed by Cleon Soloman

       Organist                                       Annella Hall

 …..

Prelude

Music:       “I’ll Go Where You Want Me To Go”

Invocation                              Raymond Stratton

Speaker                                          Ammon Hunt

Music                                            “O My Father”

Speaker                                       David A. Butler

Music                                       “Unanswered Yet”

Benediction                                       Barr Turley

Interment

Thatcher City Cemetery at 4:00 P. M.

Dedication of Grave    Chester E. Lewis

    Casket Bearers

David E. Heywood                        Robert C. Jones

Yates Heywood                         A. Neal de Gaston

Max W. Heywood                        Clifton M. Lewis

…..

God hath not promised skies always blue,
Flower-strewn pathways all our lives through;
God hath not promised sun without rain,
Joy without sorrow, peace without pain.

But God hath promised strength for the day,
Rest for the labor, light for the way,
Grace for the trials, help from above,
  Unfailing sympathy, undying love.

Heywood, Leland (1892-1976) Pioneer Heritage

          (Leland is the father of the contributor, Richard N. Heywood)

Leland Heywood's Family in 1941

Leland Heywood’s Pioneer Heritage

Leland Heywood
Birth:  17 Apr 1892, Alpine, Apache, Arizona
Death:  6 Dec 1976, Mesa, Maricopa, Arizona
Father:  : Joseph Neal Heywood (1851-1904)
Mother:  Sarah Francelle Coleman (1860-1937)

  

  Joseph Neal Heywood (1851-1904) –   Leland’s Father

Neal, born 18 Nov 1851 in Nephi, Juab, Utah    

His birth as recorded by his mother, Martha Spence Heywood —

January 1^st 1852; it is more than two months since making any record, in which time my darling boy was born on the 18^th of November, about half-past nine forenoon in the wagon. . . (I) suffered much unnecessary pain and distress from taking a wrong position as, also, from the smallness of the wagon and its openness.  Sister Anna Gifford was all the assistance I had and after my sweet one was born left pretty much to myself, having taken all the care of my babe from the time he was first dressed.[1]   

     He lived with the Joseph Leland Heywood family in SLC after his younger sister’s death in Nephi, 8 Oct 1853.  Later he accompanied his father and mother to Southern Utah where he lived until his migration to Alpine, Apache, Arizona in 1888.  He was a farmer and a school teacher.[2]  The following table lists his places of residence as an adult with highlights

He was Bishop of the Alpine Ward, St. Johns Stake, Arizona, from 1891 to 1896.  He was baptized when eight years old, ordained an Elder July 17, 1875 by Wm. J. Smith, filled a mission to New Zealand in 1888-1891, and was ordained a High Priest and Bishop Sept. 5, 1891 by David K. Udall.[3]

     Tragic Death:  The Thatcher Justice of Peace is Found Dead in His Hay Field With His Neck Broken—[4]

Tuesday morning of last week, the community of our neighbor town, Thatcher, was startled by the news of the sudden death of Mr. J. N. Heywood, the justice of peace of that precinct.

He went to work very early that morning and after awhile returned to his house for breakfast.

He than returned to his hay field:  but after awhile his wife noticed the team moving about over the field without any driver in sight.  Mrs. Heywood went to the field, and found her husband lying on the ground dead, his neck being broken.

An alarm was at once raised, and soon the body was taken to the house, the body having the appearance of having been dead about an hour.

The funeral took place on Wednesday.

Justice Heywood was an earnest upright man, a good citizen, a leading member of the Mormon church, and one who enjoyed the full confidence of Thatcher.

He leaves a wife and several children, some of them being quite young.—Guardian

Neal, died 17 May 1904 in Thatcher, Graham, Arizona at the age of 52 y 5 mo and 29 d.

The Joseph Neal Heywood Family Places of Residence and Major Highlights

Places of Residence		Highlights
Nephi	Utah	Neal, born in a wagon box 18 Nov 1851. Father, Joseph Leland Heywood; mother, Martha Spence
Salt Lake City	Utah	Neal, lived with the Joseph Leland Heywood family in SLC after his younger sister’s death in Nephi, 8 Oct 1853.
Washington	Utah	Neal lived with his mother where they farmed and taught school.
Pinto	Utah	Francelle, born 22 March 1860 in Pinto, Washington, Utah
Spring Valley	Nevada	Neal taught school. Francelle  met her “School Master”, “Mr. Heywood”, became engaged to him at age 14.  They married 12 Jan 1876 shortly before she turned 16; he was 25. Joseph Neal, Jr., born 23 Oct 1876.
Upper Kanab	Utah	Spence Coleman was born 19 Oct 1878.
On the Trail	Utah-Arizona	Migration:  “…move to Arizona autumn of 1880 and ending at Alpine Jan. 5, 1881…”[5]
Alpine	Arizona	Martha Emma, born 21 Feb 1883 and died 24 Dec 1893. Ella, born 1 Sep 1884 Ida Etta, born 15 Apr 1887 and died 24 Dec 1889  [That must have been a bleak Christmas.] Leland, born 17 Apr 1892 [Four hundred years after Columbus discovered America.] Sarepta (Seppy) Francelle, born 3 Apr 1894
New Zealand	New Zealand	Neal, served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
St. Johns	Arizona	Seppy, died 12 Aug 1895 David Evans, born 11 Aug 1896 Sarah Velma, born 31 Aug 1898
Alpine	Arizona	Robert (Bob) Tassie, born 17 Nov 1900 Irving Yeates (Yates), born 11 Nov 1902
Thatcher	Arizona	The family moved to Alpine in 1900. Joseph Neal, Sr., killed in a farming accident 17 May 1904. Francelle became a widow with 6 children 12 years of age or younger.
Mesa	Arizona
Los Angeles	California	Francelle died 9 Feb 1937 at the age of 77.

    Sarah Francelle Coleman Heywood (1860-1937) [6] - Leland’s Mother

Francelle, born 22 March 1860 in Pinto, Washington, Utah

     Childhood and youth were somewhat lonely with only a few friends.  She participated in “horseback riding and helping with the milking, cooking and washing dishes.”[7]

     Francelle met her “School Master”, “Mr. Heywood,” in Spring Valley, Lincoln, Nevada, became engaged to him at age 14 and married 12 Jan 1876 when she was 15 y 9 m 21 d; he was 25.  She addressed him as “Mr. Heywood” throughout her life.

      As an adult she faced “fear of Indians on the war path; heavy rains that caused the sod roofed houses to leak long after the rains had ceased (and) much heavy work to do, that only a man should do, but no other help could be provided, as every family . . . had more than enough work to do and it was necessary for the women to help in order to survive.”[8]

     She worked with her husband in “training their children to maintain high ideals, to strive for the best education possible and to teach them doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and to teach them the importance of earnestly living God’s commandment, developing spiritual values in life, and understanding the goodness of God and His love for all His children. . .”[9]

     She became a widow at age 44 when her husband was killed in a farming accident.  She had 6 children who were 12 and less, including a 2 and ½ year old son.  Fortunately, there were older children to help with the family and its needs!  Still, they were poor and her hardship continued.

     She met the demands of pioneer life.  She worked hard to qualify as a teacher; she “taught school for 26 years.”[10]

     “Francelle was never idle even after she had reared a family, helped with grandchildren and had retired from many years of teaching.  When not doing necessary household chores, she was always knitting, crocheting, netting, sewing, reading or writing. . . . She always kept her high ideals, gave encouragement to others, and was a friend to everyone.”[11]

(See also The Joseph Neal Heywood Family Places of Residence and Major Highlights table.)

Francelle, died 9 Feb 1937 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California at the age of 76 y 11 m and 7 d.

   Joseph Leland Heywood (1815-1905)[12] [13] - Leland’s Paternal Grandfather

Joseph, born 1 Aug 1815 in Grafton, Worchester, Massachusetts      

     Joseph Leland Heywood was born in Grafton, Worchester, Massachusetts, 1 Aug 1815. After meeting the Prophet Joseph Smith in December, 1842, and accepting the teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he was baptized by Elder Orson Hyde, the Prophet, Joseph Smith, helping to cut the ice in preparation for the baptism. He was Trustee in Trust for the Church in Nauvoo at the time of the Mormon exodus. He left Nauvoo in the spring of 1848 and arrived in the Great Salt Lake Valley on 19 October 1848.  He was the first U.S. Marshal in Utah.  He helped obtain territorial government for Utah.  He was one of a committee chosen to draft the constitution.  He served as a Commissioner to establish Territorial Boundary and was named surveyor of highways.  He was the Postmaster of the Territory West of the Missouri River.         He was the first bishop of the Seventeenth Ward of the Salt Lake Stake, serving for six years.  He was the founder of Nephi, Juab, Utah, assisting Jesse W. Fox in laying-out of the city.  He was called to settle in Southern Utah.  He fulfilled various church callings while there including that of High Priest Group Leader and Patriarch.    He was the husband of four plural wives.  He had 17 children.

Joseph, died 12 January 1840 in Panguitch, Garfield, Utah at the age of 95 y 2 mo 25 d.

   Martha Spence (1812-1873)[14] – Leland’s Paternal Grandmother

Martha, born 1 8 Mar 1812  in Dublin, Dublin, Ireland

Martha and children "Nealy" and Sarepta

      Martha immigrated to the United States at age 21.  She worked as a millinerRochester, New York.  She joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, being baptized 15 Aug 1848.  She immediately made plans to join the Saints on their trek west.  She crossed the plains with the Edward Hunter Company in 1850.  Her benefactor in making this possible was Joseph Leland Heywood.  While on the trek, she nursed his nephew, Frank Heywood[15], who had tuberculosis.  When she arrived in Salt Lake City, she was apparently assigned to stay at the Heywood home.  This seemed a bit disappointing as she did not have particularly warm feelings toward Joseph Leland Heywood.  This seemed to have changed, however, when the prospect of become his wife was proposed.  They were married and sealed on 16 Jan 1851 by Brigham Young in the President’s Office.  She worked as a milliner, teaching others in the family the skills she had learned as a child and young adult.  She accompanied her husband to help settle Nephi, Juab, Utah.  While there, she lived in a wagon box where she gave birth to her two children, 18 Nov 1851) and Sarepta (b. 8 Oct 1853).  Matha was one of the first teachers in Nephi.  Martha kept a journal which has been published.[16]  It is considered a premier pioneer journal.  In it she records her experiences in crossing the plains.  She gives the touching account of death of her daughter, Sarepta, on 19 Mar 1856.  Following Sarepta’s death, she moved back to Salt Lake City where she lived with Joseph Leland Heywood family until he was called to settle in Southern Utah.  She accompanied him to Southern Utah.  She was living with her son, Joseph Neal Heywood, Sr., in Washington, Washington, Utah at the time of her death.  She was an obscure pioneer, but because of her journal, she is often noted and quoted by church historians.

Joseph Neal Heywood ( b.

Martha, died 5 Feb 1873 in Washington, Washington, Utah at the age of 60 y 10 mo 28 d.

  

   Prime Thornton Coleman, Sr.  (1831-1905) – Leland’s Maternal Grandfather

Prime, born 22 Sep 1831 in Thorncot, Bedford, England.

The following life sketch appeared in History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Thatcher, Arizona[17]

Prime Thornton Coleman, the third child of Prime Coleman and Sarah Thornton was born February 22, 1831, in Worden[18] (sic), Bedfordshire, England, coming to the United States when he was about 13 years of age.

He went through the mobbing incidents in the early rise of the Church, coming to Utah with the companies which crossed the plains, settling in Lehi, Utah, in about 1851. 

On November 10, 1856, he married Emma Beck Evans, after which event they were called as missionary settlers to the Santa Clara on the Muddy in Southern Utah. [He moved to Harmony in “Dixie” in 1854.[19]]  After arriving at their destination, the real battle of life began.  The climate was hot, the soil unproductive, and extremely difficult to till.  The Indians, while friendly, were given to coveting their possessions.

He later moved his family over into Kanab and settled a ranch about 1878.  In November of 1880, they started for Arizona with a company of 14 persons, 5 wagons, and livestock.  The trip was most trying because of cold weather, the scarcity of feed, fuel, and water at times.  They crossed the Colorado River at Lee’s Ferry, then traveled over what was known as “Lee’s Back Bone,” where the road was almost impassable—passing through Holbrook, Concho, Springerville, Nutrioso, and then to Alpine.  After weathering all kinds of reverses, financially and otherwise, they moved to Springerville and purchased a farm and lived there for several years, before coming to the Gila Valley about 1899.

Here he was ordained a Patriarch on November 25, 1902 [at the age of 71], at Thatcher, Arizona, by Hyrum Mack Smith.  He died on August 19, 1905.

Prime, died 19 Aug 1905 in Thatcher, Graham, Arizona at the age of 73 y 10 m 28 d.

   Emma Beck Evans (Coleman) (1840-1913) – Leland’s Maternal Grandmother

Emma, born 12 January 1840 in Illinois

The following sketch appeared in Who’s Who in Arizona Volume I. 1913[20]

Emma Beck Evans
(Coleman)

Mrs. Emma B. Coleman, member of the Arizona Central Equal SuffrageIllinois, January 12, 1840, but is one of the earliest pioneers of Arizona, and might well be christened the Mother of Suffrage in Apache and Graham Counties.  In the spring of 1888 when the first International Council of Women was held in Washington, D. C., the call for freedom was wafted across the arid plains and rustled in the tall pines that sheltered her Alpine home, away in the mountains of Arizona.  That call found an echo in her heart, and she responded, the first woman in Arizona to become a member of the National Woman Suffrage Association.  She has since been very active for the cause, and with good results, in Arizona.  Mrs. Coleman was a delegate from Graham County to the Constitutional Convention held in Phoenix in 1911, and in connection with delegates from other counties worked very hard to have a Suffrage plank incorporated in the Constitution, but without avail.  She has been a consistent and earnest worker for the cause of Equal Suffrage all her life, and though many times defeated, she has never, at any time lost hope that they will soon be realized throughout the nation.  Mrs. Coleman has been a home-maker above all, and agrees that the right of suffrage shall not cause to deteriorate in the slightest degree either a woman’s femininity or her efficiency as a home maker and mother.
Committee, was born in

On  July 5, 1912, “enough signatures were gathered to put suffrage on the November ballot.  It passed in every county of the sate.  Arizona became one of nine states that ensured the women’s vote, eight years before the implementation of the 19th Amendment.”[21]

Emma, died 12 January 1840 in Thatcher, Graham, Arizona at the age of 73 y 4 mo 30 d.

   Prime Coleman[22]  (1803-1844) – Leland’s Maternal Great Grandfather

Prime, born 20 Jan 1803 in Arlssey, Bedford, England[23].

Prime Coleman was born 20 Jan. 1803 at Arlsey, Bedford, England, the seventeenth child of George and Elsabeth Sarah Prime.  His surname, Prime, is from both his mother’s surname and his paternal Grandmother’s surname.  Prime’s siblings included three sets of twins, one set of triplets and eight single births. 

Prime and his wife, Sarah Thornton, and their older children joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1841.  They immigrated to Nauvoo, Illinois in 1843.  They had lived in Old Warden and Thorncote Parishes in Bedford. 

In England, Prime grew to manhood in Arsley and surrounding country.  He and his wife, Sarah, owned and lived on a large, well equipped farm at Thorncote, Bedsford, England.  The house was large and splendidly furnished.  They had hired help.  

They accepted the gospel in 1841/42.  On 1 Jan 1843 their emigration began.  They were enrolled on the ship, Swanton, departing from Liverpool on 16 Jan 1843 with 212 aboard and arriving in New Orleans, Louisiana after 7 weeks and 3 days. They then sailed up the Mississippi to Nauvoo on the Amaranth.  They arrived on 12 Apr 1843, the entire journey taking 3 months and 12 days.

In Nauvoo, they lived on the farm of Hyrum Smith.  Their youngest daughter, Martha J., was born in Nauvoo, 15 Sep 1843.  They suffered privation and hardships not known before.  Slightly more than a year after their arrival in Nauvoo, typhoid fever broke out.  Fifteen year old daughter, Sarah Jane, died of typhoid in May of 1844.  Prime died of typhoid on 11 June 1844, 16 days before Joseph Smith’s martyrdom.

He left his wife, Sarah, almost destitute with seven children to rear.

Prime, died 11 June 1844 in Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois at the age of 44 y 4 mo 22 d.

    Sarah Thornton (Coleman) (1806-1892)[24] – Leland’s Maternal Great Grandmother

Sarah, born 11 Jun 1806 in Little Paxton, Huntington, England

Find A Grave  

   Sarah Thornton Coleman, daughter of William Thornton and Elizabeth Christian, was born June 11, 1806 at Little Paxton, Huntington, England.

     She and her older sister, June, were left motherless at the age of 10 and 11. Their father placed the girls in a boarding school and afterward married again.  She remained at this school about ten years when she met, and after a courtship of six weeks, married Prime Coleman. 

They made their home in Thorncote, Bedsford, England where seven children were born to them: George, Sarah, Prime Thornton, Ann, Elizabeth, William, and Rebecca.

Sarah was more inclined toward religion than was her husband, and often said that while she attended church, he enjoyed more to rest at home reading and smoking his cigar.

When the Elders found them, the Coleman family was not long in making their decision to join the Church.  So with their four children who were over eight years of age, they were baptized in 1841 and 42.  They determined to join the Saints in America, leaving their home 1 Jan 1843, setting sail from Liverpool 16 Jan 1843, arriving in New Orleans, Louisiana after seven weeks and three days on the ocean, traveling up the Mississippi on the ship, Amaranth, to St. Louis, and landing in Nauvoo, Illinois on 12 April 1843, three months and twelve days after leaving their home in England.

     In Nauvoo, they suffered privation and hardships not known before by this prosperous family.  Sarah gave birth to her eighth child, Martha Jane, four months after their arrival.

After a little over a year of their new life of sacrifice and hardship, typhoid fever broke out in Nauvoo claiming the life the oldest daughter, Sarah age 15, and then the life of Prime who was buried in an old dry well along with others.

This left Sister Coleman with seven children to rear, lacking the comfort of "the olden days” in England, and almost destitute of the necessities of life.

About two weeks after these sad deaths in the Coleman family, the Prophet and Patriarch were martyred on 27 Jun 1844.

Now a widow, Sarah moved with here family into the Eleventh Ward where David Evans was bishop.  She and her family shared the persecutions and trials of the exodus from Nauvoo and crossing of the plains with the David Evans Company arriving in the Salt Lake Valley September of 1850.

     In February 1851 President Brigham Young sent David Evans south to preside over the little colony already located on Dry Creek.  Sarah Thornton Coleman and her seven children, three sons and four daughters, came with the Evans family and remained to help build up what is now Lehi, Utah.  

     She later married David Evans and was sealed to her first husband, Prime Coleman, David Evans acting as proxy.  

Sarah was called as president of the first Relief Society organized in Lehi in the fall of 1868.  She served in that position many years. She was blessed with the gift of tongues and used that gift many times.

     Sarah Thornton Coleman lived an exemplary life, passing on at the ripe age of 86 with full faith in the Gospel for which she had sacrificed so much.

Sarah, died 1 Mar 1892 in Lehi, Utah, Utah at the age of 85 y 8 mo 19 d.

"Time Only" Marriage  David Evans  18 Oct 1852

David Evans is married to Sarah Thornton Coleman, widow of Prime Coleman and daughter of William and Elizabeth Thornton, for time only at the Endowment House in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Utah. Sarah was also sealed at this time to Prime Coleman, her first husband, for eternity with David acting as proxy.  (Source unknown)

---

[1] Ancestry.com. Utah, Our Pioneer Heritage [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 1998. Original data: International Society, Daughters of Utah Pioneers.  Records 3735-3744 of 53248

[2] Miscellaneous Family Records in possession of Richard N. Heywood, 628 East Alameda Drive, Tempe, Arizona 85282, 480-967-7183, hrndr@cox.net.  

[3] Ancestry.com. Jenson, Andrew. LDS Biographical Encyclopedia: A Compilation of Biographical Sketches of Prominent Men and Women in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Salt Lake City, UT: Andrew Jenson History Co., 1901. 

[4] The Copper Era (A newspaper published at Clifton, Arizona), 26 May, 1904, vol.6. no.8. p.1.  Miscellaneous Family Records in possession of Richard N. Heywood, 628 East Alameda Drive, Tempe, Arizona 85282, 480-967-7183, hrndr@cox.net. 

[5] Reminiscences by J. N. Heywood, Unpublished Copy, Miscellaneous Family Records in possession of Richard N. Heywood, 628 East Alameda Drive, Tempe, Arizona 85282, 480-967-7183, hrndr@cox.net.  

[6] Miscellaneous Family Records in possession of Richard N. Heywood, 628 East Alameda Drive, Tempe, Arizona 85282, 480-967-7183, hrndr@cox.net.

[7] Pioneer Women of Arizona, Roberta Flake Clayton.  Repository:  Mesa Regional Family History Center, 41 So. Hobson, Mesa Arizona.  Call Number:  979.1 D3.

[8] Ibid.

[9] Ibid.

[10] Ibid.

[11] Ibid

[12] Conquerors of the West, Volume II, Edited by Florence C. Youngberg and Compiled by National Society of the Sons of Utah Pioneers [via www.google.com]

[13] Biography Files of the Utah Pioneers in Salt Lake City, Utah [via www.ancestry.com

[14] Miscellaneous Family Records in possession of Richard N. Heywood, 628 East Alameda Drive, Tempe, Arizona 85282, 480-967-7183.  These records include a copy of Not by Bread Alone and additional unpublished documents.

[15] Frank died a few weeks after arriving in Salt Lake City.

[16] Not of Bread Alone, edited by Juanita Brooks.

[17] The 25th Stake of Zion, 1883-1983 : St. Joseph Stake, February 25, 1883--Thatcher Arizona Stake, February 1, 1974 History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Thatcher, Arizona, both on a stake level and a history of each ward and branch (not all in Thatcher). Repository:  Mesa Regional Family History Center.  979.154 K2 (Includes brief biographical sketches of stake presidents, other stake officers, bishops of wards, missionary couples, etc.)

[18] Ancestral File gives Prime Thornton Coleman’s place of birth as being Thorncot, Bedford, England and his father, Prime Coleman’s (1802), as being Old Warden, Bedford, England..

[19] Pioneer Indexes, Washington County Utah, 1852-1870, Compiled by Wesley W. Craig and Roberta Blake Barnum, http://www.lofthouse.com/USA/Utah/washington/pioneers/male-c.html  (Found via Google)

[20] Who’s Who in Arizona Volume I. 1913, Compiled and Published by Jo Connors.  Repository:  Mesa Regional Family History Center, 41 S. Hobson Street, Mesa, AZ 85204.  480-964-1200.Call Number 979.1 D3c.

[21] A Historical Overview of Women’s Suffrage Movement in US and Arizona by Sumeet Aggarwal. http://www.ic.arizona.edu/ic/mcbride/ws200/sumeet.htm)

[22] Arthur D. Coleman, Coleman Pioneers of Utah (J. Grant Stevenson, Provo, Utah), Family History Library, 35 N. West Temple Street, Salt Lake City, Utah 84150, USA, www.familysearch.org, 929.273 C677.  “A biographical, genealogical and historical account of seventeen Utah pioneers who were descendants of George Coleman 1765 or Arsley, England.”

[23] Prime’s birthplace is given variously.  It is believed to have probably been in “Arlessy” because the extracted records on the  International Genealogical Index gives Arlessy as the place of his Christening: www.familysearch.org, Batch Number:  C0355, Film Number:  0826449: Parish registers, 1538-1958  Church of England. Parish Church of Arlesey (Bedfordshire).

[24] This sketch is based primarily on the biography for Sarah Thornton found on the David Evans Web Site, http://www.davidevans.org/library/book/thornton.aspAlpine