Son of William H. Dalley and Mandana Hillman

Married Catherine Melissa Hulet, 8 Nov 1877, St. George Washington, Utah

Children: Erma Lenora Dalley, Laverna Dalley, Effie Catherine Dalley, Ethel Mandana Dalley, James Franklin Dalley, Marion Dalley, Josephine Dalley, Melvin Dalley, Eva Estella Dalley, Luella Melissa Dalley, Ida Marilla Dalley, Mamie Tryphena Dalley, William Sylvanus Dalley, Katie Dalley

James and Catherine drove from Summit, Iron County to the St. George Temple by team and buggy to be married.

William and Mandanna Hillman Dalley were present when the mantel of the Prophet fell upon the new Prophet Brigham Young.

The Dalley's settled in American Fork by assignment from their Prophet Brigham Young.

James Hillman Dalley and his parents William and Mandanna found themselves in Southern Utah and eventually lived in Summit. Catherine and her parents lived in St. George until 1872 when they moved to Summit. That is where she and James Dalley met and were married and lived there for a few years.

Catherine and James both grew up in a wholesome pioneer atmosphere, experiencing the hardships, labor, love and joy of pioneer life. Their parents taught them well the fundamentals of making a home. They were well prepared for married life when that time arrived.

James Dalley was not what you would call a tall man, but he made up for it as he performed his labors ans a a son of God, and as a husband and father. He was noted for his skill at handling livestock and farming. At one time, he built a canal and brought water from one canyon, around the ridge and into another valley where the land could be farmed. He was a very dedicated man and never faltered throughout his life.

After James and Melissa were married, they spent time in Summit where their parents farmed. Sometime between 1889 and 1891 they moved to Circleville, Piute, Utah. While they lived there they leased some land from the Betenson's.

While living in Summit, they were blessed with 8 children as follows: Luella Melissa, 1878; Mamie Tryphena, 1879; James Franklin, 1881; Josephine, 1883; Ida Marilla, 1884; William Sylvanus, 1886; and the twins Effie Catherine and Ethel Mandanna, 1889.

While they lived in Circleville, 6 more children were born; Eva Estalla, 1891; Laverna 1894; Melvin, 1896; Katie, 1898; Erma Lenora, 1899; and Marion, 1902. Both Katie and Melvin died while still small children.

After farming in Circleville for a few years, they moved the family to Greenville, Beaver, Utah. They stayed there for a couple of years where James hauled freight from Beaver to Milford and Frisco.

During the time they lived there, their daughter Josephine met and married James Thompson. Later on, another daughter married William Theodore Thompson, a brother of James, and of course, Laverna is a sister of Josephine.

When they left Greenville, they moved to a ranch north of Panguitch in Garfield County. This was a settlement called Spry. There they engaged in farming, raising milk cows and goats. Because of the illness of their oldest daughter Luella, it became neccessary to make a home for their 3 little granddaughters: Sylvia, Hazel and Hettie. Ethel also came home to live after the death of her husband. She brought her little daughter Stella with her.

After their family was raised, James and Catherine lived for a short time in Milford. During that time, James purchased a small farm east of Milford and brought some of his Holstein heifers with him from Spry. His son in-law furnished him with a little mare to ride. James was allergic to something in Milford Valley--it was probably some type of ragweed. They eventually had to move back to Circleville.

During the time they lived in Milford, their youngest son Marion lived with them. He had been suffering from infantile paralysis for several years.

In August 1937, while living in Circleville, their son Marion passed away in Salt Lake City while receiving treatment. While traveling to Marysvale to the railroad to pick up his body, the family had a very serious automobile accident. James died seven months later as a result of the injuries received in the accident.

In those days when James died, they couldn't afford to have his body embalmed. It was during the Great Depression of the thirties, and nobody had very much money. 3 of James grandsons volunteered to take care of his body. It was a new experience for them but they loved their dear grandfather, and it really was the least they could do for him. They bathed him, shaved him and cut his hair, then they kept bottles of ice around his body until time for the funeral. Other members of the family went to the Sevier River and brought tubs of ice for them to fill the bottles. It's an experience that they will never forget.

After the funeral, Catherine purchased a home in Joseph, Utah where she resided until her death. She lived next door to her daughter Ethel and her son William Sylvanus "Vene" lived with her. Thus ended the lives of two very wonderful people. Neither of them ever really enjoyed the luxury of the modern conveniences that we have today, but they survived with what they did have. James and Melissa enjoyed the simple things of life. They loved going to a movie. They loved desserts such as cake, pie and ice cream. They loved their children, and above all-life itself. They accepted their lot and never complained.