My mother, Mary Frances Anderson Stokes, was born in Bear River City, Utah on the 16th day of August in the year of 1881 to Sophia and Andrew Andreason. (The Andreason was later changed to Anderson.) Very few people were settled in this area at that time. When Mother was six (6) years old, the family moved to Point Look Out, known now as Bothwell.

They were the only people for miles around and the drinking
water had to be carried for about two miles. The other water, where they did the family wash,was at Salt Creek.
Mother was the oldest of fourteen children. She was a great help to Grandmother with the other children, and all through their lives they were dear comparisons and comforters to each other, both being widowed very young.
More and more people began settling in the valley and soon they had a school and a church.

They rode horseback to the dances. I have often heard Mother tell of their dances and their In 1889, Mother and Father, Heber Stokes, son of William Stokes and Mary Jane Pilkington,were married in the Logan Temple, Logan, Utah.
Father was born in Syracuse, Utah. They were poor, but very happy; they even borrowed the money for a marriage license.
They lived in Bothwell in a two-room house across from the church and the school. Most of the children were born there. Mother always took an active part in church and community affairs. She was Primary President for many years and also President of the Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Association. She gave birth to ten children - three girls and seven boys.

On 17 February 1913, their little girl named Lydia Fay died with diphtheria. This disease was very treacherous and was taking the lives of several members of families. Mother's faith in God saved the rest from contracting this dreaded
disease.

The Danish people were coffee drinkers and Mother, being Danish, was drinking coffee at that time. She asked God to forgive her for breaking His commandments and promised Him
that if he would spare the rest of her family, she would never drink tea or coffee again, and she never did. Many times when she was ill, someone would tell her a cup of tea would help her, but she would say, "No, I promised the Lord I would not. He did what I asked Him to do, and I must always do as I promised Him." Her faith, humility and courage were dominating factors of her life.

About 1914, Mother and Dad took up a homestead at Black Pine, Idaho. There were very few people there and so pioneering was again taken up by them. They took part in church activities. Mother was Relief Society President for
many years. The years there were very hard for them. They
hauled the water in barrels or tanks for miles. After a few years, a well was dug on the dry farm. For the first few years they would spend the summer months in Idaho and go back to Bothwell for the school months. These trips were made in wagons and would take about three days. They were always pleasant events.

Father passed away 01 July 1925. He had been working for the U.S. government as a predatory animal trapper. He was bitten by a deer fly and had tularemia. He was partially paralyzed for some time before he died. He never complained
of his lot; he was always kind and patient. Mother was constantly by his side, helping him walk and doing the other necessary things to make him as comfortable and happy as possible.

She was very lonely after his death, being only forty-three years old. She had six children who were not married and three married. She never faltered, and her testimony became more strengthened with each suffering. While she was Relief Society President, on meeting days she would have one of the girls drive her around and pick up the ladies of the
ward and take them to meeting and then home. Most of the time she would give them lunch. I doubt if she ever missed a meeting of any kind, even the stake meetings which were held either at Holbrook or Snowville, both quite a distance
away, but she always found a way to get there.

The teachings which she gave to her family were to be honest, prayerful, and faithful. The government took over the Black Pine Valley as people were compelled to move out to be able to make a living for their families. At first when the soil was cultivated, the crops were good, but the fertility in the soil soon wore out, and people were forced to leave.

My mother then moved to Salmon, Idaho. She worked there in the church and had many friends. In fact, her friends were numerous. She was generous and kind to the less fortunate.
Many were the people she befriended and fed. Her hands were never idle. During her last years she was unable to work and get around as she had been accustomed to doing; she was a wonderful crocheter and made and gave hundreds of doilies, baby caps, pillows and what-nots to give to friends and relatives.

She always enjoyed temple work and did as much of this as she possibly could and even though it was the widow's mite, she was always a full tithe payer.

Mary Frances Anderson Stokes passed away 12 January 1954 at the age of seventy-two (72) in Salmon, Idaho. She was buried 16 January 1954 in Bothwell, Utah. A funeral was held at Salmon and also at Bothwell. At both funerals the
buildings were filled to capacity with her numerous friends and loved ones. She has now nine (9) living children, thirty-five (35) grandchildren and sixty (60) great grandchildren who shall always cherish her memory and teachings.

CHILDREN:
Heber Earl STOKES - born 22 Feb 1900 - Bothwell, Box Elder, Utah
Archibald Andrew STOKES - born 25 Jun 1901 - Bothwell, Box Elder, Utah
Mildred Nellie STOKES - born 31 Jan 1904 - Bothwell, Box Elder, Utah
William LeRoy STOKES - born 17 Mar 1906 - Bothwell, Box Elder, Utah
Leonard Elvin STOKES - born 23 Jun 1908 - Bothwell, Box Elder, Utah
Lydia Faye STOKES - born 31 Aug 1910 - Bothwell, Box Elder, Utah
Richard STOKES - born 31 Jul 1912 - Bothwell, Box Elder, Utah
Robert Wayne STOKES - born 05 Nov 1914 - Bothwell, Box Elder, Utah
Rhoda Mary STOKES - born 25 Jul 1917 - Bothwell, Box Elder, Utah
Lyle Anderson STOKES - born 11 Feb 1920 - Bothwell, Box Elder, Utah

by her daughter, Mildred Stokes Anderson