Daughter of William Flint and Mary Jane Goodridge

Married Edward Laird, 15 Jan 1872, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah

History - Valeria Ann Flint was born in Farmington, on January 14, 1853. William Flint, her father, was born at Spafford, Onondago County, New York, on January 28, 1813. When but a young man heard the Prophet Joseph Smith preach, he knew his teachings were true. He married Mary Jane Goodridge on December 4, 1850, a daughter of Benjamin Goodridge and Penelope Gardner, pioneers of 1850 (Wilford Woodruff company). She was born June 11, 1825, and came to Utah with her parents.

William Flint presided over a branch of the Mormon Church in New York State. He also had the privilege of driving Joseph F. Smith's Mother's team from Elk Horn seventy miles west of Winter Quarters to the forks of Sweet Water and was sent back to help other poor emigrants to the valley. He arrived in Salt Lake with President Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball Company on September 26, 1848.

Their courtship was rather short, having known Mary Jane but three weeks but with the blessing of Heber C. Kimball that he should raise a noble family, they were married. Valeria was the second daughter. Not much is said of her childhood days only at a young age she lived with her Aunt Hattie Hardy in Parleys Canyon at the Hardys Station. During the winter Valeria's uncle procured timber from the hillsides for fuel.

While at Hardys Station, Valeria met Edward Laird, who was a freighter from Heber City to Salt Lake. On one of their camping grounds in Park City they found a piece of ore. Later, he, his father and Dick Winmill sold their rights for fifteen hundred dollars. That spot of ground became the famous Silver King Mine where it has turned out millions.

Edward was born February 12, 1853, at Anet Lodge, Scotland, a son of James Laird and Mary Rainey, coming to Utah with Captain Willie Handcart Company of 1856, experiencing many of the trials and sufferings of that epic-making march. It is well known historically that of all the Companies crossing the plains, those veterans of 1856 experienced the hardest trials.

James Laird pulled a handcart with luggage, and taking his wife and three week old baby and little son Edward but five years old, and one other child. Brother Anderson said Ed was the life of the camp, such a bright sunny lad. Anonymous letters and warning setting forth the hardships and impossibilities of such a journey were conveyed to them, by sympathizing with outsiders, offering them an inducement to stay. Many who started out with them backed out in a few days.

Footsore and weary with weeks of walking was it possible for them, faith or no faith, to walk five hundred miles further. The flesh certainly was weak but their spirit was willing, so they went on and on, and by the blessings of God, he pulled that handcart a thousand miles and never rode one step.

Thrilling scenes and suffering accompanied that journey, being entirely out of provisions; they stopped for want of strength to proceed and never should they beheld (with mortal eyes) the City of the Saints had not Brigham Young sent out a number of brave-hearted brethren with food and clothing to their relief. May they all be everlastingly blessed.

Edward admired the pretty, slim girl with big brown eyes, as she served him his dinner. A lasting friendship sprang up and one year later they were married, January 15, 1862, at the age of 19, making their home in Parley Canyon, about one half mile beyond his father's place, who ran a half-way house. His father's family first settled at Spanish Fork, living there for a number of years as a farmer until later when they were called by Brigham Young to help colonize Heber City. In his later years, he moved to Parley Canyon and operated a halfway house. Edward followed the freighting and, being a thrifty type started with the sheep on a small scale, but gradually his business grew with cattle, and flourished until he was a leader in that industry.

Their first house was made of logs about eighteen feet square. This hut, like most of those built the first few years, was roofed with willows and earth, the roof having but little pitch, so when it rained, dripping in one place and then another, they dodged about. Aunt Lizzie Winmill's first baby was born in that hut, they holding an umbrella over her. The earth overhead was thoroughly saturated and after it commenced to drip it was much worse indoors than out.

With her eighth baby, the mother did a washing when it was five days old which brought on chills and fever. This together with the anxiety of the rest of her children, threatened her to the gates of death. It was months before she was able to take care either of herself or child. But the Lord was merciful in so ordering things that made it possible for Aunt Hattie Hardy to live with her for five months.

Soon after this, a third home was built consisting of five rooms, a large kitchen, a living room, and small bedroom; two bedrooms upstairs, and a front porch was completely hidden by large poplar trees (which trees still stand).

There never was a compulsion in the family and there never was resistance, but there was kindness every day. Valeria was always doing kindness. She grew in favor of them all. Valeria was honest in doing everything to the best o£ her ability, industrious to an astonishing degree, fair with her neighbors, and stainless in her character. She lived a faithful wife, the exemplary mother, and Latter-day Saint in whose heart benevolence and native goodness was abounded.

Edward manifested high qualities of honesty and integrity while not having the advantages of schooling, he was decidedly well informed and of remarkable judgment. He was a success through hard work and economy. He was a foundation for many of the industries of Sugar House, Salt Lake City, Utah.