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A BISTORT OF ifflStLECopy From Grantsville Observer.Five years after the Pioneers came to Utah Jedediuh M, Grant was sent out with a party to explore the country West of Salt take City. When they came to the vicinity of where Grantsville is now located they decided to follow the creek that is now known as South Willow Creek to its source. They decided that there was aufficent water to care for a settlement, There is now sotno of tho best farmb In tho country watered from that creek and no better soil is found in tho State and no better climate anywhere in this mountain region, which goes to prove the wisdom of the early planers In establishing tho settle ment of Grantsville,Tho first buildings were all built of logs with floors of mother earth. The first summer tho people erected a bowery where they held their meetings, There were no trcea_whero tho town is now situated, Aaron Scevn James McDrJde, and John W, Clark planted the first trees in the settlement.In 1SG1 William G. Young w»b sent by President Young to preside over the people, lie was the first Bishop and his word was law. He ordered tho cattle drives and took- tho lead In anything that he thought was for* tho best good of the settlers.Nearly all of the furniture was homemade anti the teaming waa mostly done with oxen, Before atores wore established tho settlers would load up a load of wood and take It to Salt hake City and trade it for groceries and other necessary articles. This would take them about four to five days to make the*trJp. There grain was cut with cradles raked and bound by hand and a man would cut about two acres a day.In tho early settlement tho children did not wear shoes or stockings and it was strictly In fashion to walk to meeting, Tho late Thomas Williams told the writer that tho first year ho was in Grantsville he spaded up an aero of ground for James MtBrido, There were but few plows In the community. Tho grass xvaa bo good that fat beef waa gotten off the range in early Spring, At tho general drives they would havo roping contests and other feats of horsemanship,Tho first real house was built by John W» Clark and was constructed of adobles and It is still standing on Clark St, Tho adoblea were made down on,what Is now called Cooley Avenue* John W* Cooley was one of tho progressiva farmers nnd stockmen for many yeara and during tho early days of tho settlement fra presided over the branch for a abort time. To William C, Rydalch belongs tho credit of doing more to improve the breds of hones and cattle than any other man in tho country, IIo Imported from Canada one ofthe finest brood matW nndythirham bulls that was in the county then, and for many ycara after, James Wrathall who I think came to CraTitsville tho sahic year that Mr. Rydalch did was tho most successful wool grower in the county .and he, like Mr. Rydalch, through their keen business tact and strict economy amassed what wa3 then con side red a fortune which was before tho days of Eilltanarcs, They both came into this valley poor men. Mr, WrathaH told the writer that he landed in Grantsville with only one .steer, but he soon managed to get n few head of sheep and from that email beginning he became the wealthiest man In tho county, Mr, Rydalch turned jib attention more to the rnls ing of cattle but was also n successful farmer, Both men were natives of England and were chums in their boylt; hood days, and this oame friendship remained throughout their lives, Ther^ were other successful business men who will be mentioned later,The first brick house was built by Bishop Edward Hunter it is now occupied by Mrs. Harriet Rowbtrry and is situated on Upper Main St.For many yeara the matt was carried on horseback. Tho lata Aaron Scevn told the writer that when ho first came to Grantsvillu that he paid as high as 25c for postage for a letter, The mail carrier would make a trip to Tooele ono day returning the next. That was In the days when the mall was carried by ttage from Missouri river to California, and the stage route waa through Tooele.All the affairs of the settlement were executed under the supervision of the Bishop and his pounrillors to whom all the difficulties of the Battle re were referred to for adjudication Emery Rarrua was the first mayor of Grantsville,Miss E: e!e Mondi tho high i day andVERhBishop Lako CitjMrs, Ji spent Sa friends.Karl II days here Lake CitjClarenc Skull Vfll with frieiRay Ft John Bel hero wltV Emi! FebFred D son who : Tooele, si their panNormal lug here to Eurekc his workMia a E Saturday parents, ModiIav-* Toocl!Mr, an aon, Dry; home her^ nths at Wyo, willTho Ve thu Bran Store,'■ by John / pmusemnl Curti CEli Whe. Bud_H-..j] Harvey 3Jlmsy FJi and rema Otto Gin chief of \ Jasper W tcm,...Negi Dom,.,.Eii Jerushn i An Orpbc Aunt HaaTickets2Go.DanceMrs. ClIng fromMr and visited h Mr. r.nlt;] Lincoln B] and Mrs,Mias Aiafteg Bpci stives in IMrs. Bl; GfantsviH Mrs, FranMr, and to Salt U the fore-pErda’s 1 steadily d just broug on the ElMiss An ing High week’s end Mrs. Augi
Newspaper Details
Tooele Transcript and Bulletin
Tooele, Utah, US
Fri, Feb 16, 1923
Page 8
Full Page
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Utah, USA 12 Dec 2024
Other Publications Near Tooele, Utah
The Tooele Bulletin
Tooele County Chronicle
Tooele Times
Tooele Transcript Bulletin
Tooele Transcript and Bulletin
