George Franklin Larsen History
Handwritten by his wife, Sarah Florence Brough
Edited by Robert Curtis and Birdean Tippet Larsen
(from the Robert Curtis and Birdean Tippets Larsen collection)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
George Franklin Larsen was born at Fairview, Sanpete County, Utah August 9th, 1892. His father was Niels Lewis Larsen; mother Mary Eleanor Vance.
His father died when Frank (as he was called) was almost 4 years old and his brother two years younger. Their mother never remarried but devoted her life to taking care of the boys and making a living for them and herself.
The mother took her two small boys to Salt Lake City with her while she attended the Dr. Ellis R. Shipps School of Obstetrics and Nursing. They all lived with Mary's mother-in-law, Anna Marie Larsen, during this period of time.
The Midwife and Nursing Diploma was signed and dated 25 March 1898. An opportunity to practice her skills in Mink Creek, Idaho was offered to Mary, which she accepted. They lived there for about a year and a half (January 1901 to May 1902).
MINK CREEK IDAHO EXPERIENCE:
The boys were at home alone when an expectant father came wanting Mary and her obstetrical services immediately. Upon learning that Mary was away on another case, he demanded that Frank go get his mother to come speedily to his home.
Because the man was so insistent, and Frank realized the urgency of the situation, he was forced to find a way to notify his mother. He borrowed a partially broken thoroughbred horse from a neighbor (probably without permission) and set off down a muddy road. The horse even had to cross a river swollen with spring rains. As they neared their destination neither the horse nor the rider were expecting a barbed wire gate that had been strung across the lane. The valuable horse was fatally injured; the rider was muddy and bloody after being thrown off the horse and his mother was furious when she saw Frank approaching the house on foot with the urgent message. Furious, not at the messenger, but at the man who forced her young son to embark on a mission so dangerous under the circumstances.
The widowed mother felt that she and her boys would be more safe living closer to their Utah relatives and before long the little family packed up their belongings and returned to the home that Mary's husband, Niels, had built for his family.
HOME AGAIN IN FAIRVIEW:
Mary opened up another practice and the boys attended school.
Frank was fourteen when he felt that he was old enough to help make the living and got a job with Bishop Nielson bailing hay. One day Frank's left foot got caught in the bailer and almost cut off, in fact it was hanging by the Achilles tendon only. Frank was taken home to his mother who sent for the Doctor immediately.
The Doctor predicted that the foot would not grow back together but finally relented and stitched it on anyway after Frank repeatedly insisted. Recovery was painfully slow taking most of the next year.
That injured foot was much smaller than the other one even when Frank was mature, so he always wore high top shoes to compensate for the size difference as well to add support for the weaker ankle. The leg and foot gave him much discomfort and he walked with a slight limp for the rest of his life; but it was not his nature to complain.
UNCLE OFFERS TO TEACH FRANK NEW SKILLS:
When he was about fifteen and still using crutches sometimes, his aunt Cadie and her husband Lon Forbush took him to Monroe, Utah to live with them while he learned the blacksmith and machinist trade from Uncle Lon. It was hard work for a young man who was not fully healed and up to his full strength but he stayed there until he was near seventeen years old before going to Idaho to work for a while.
CLEAR CREEK WORK AND SOCIALS:
Next he moved to Clear Creek, Utah to work as a mine mechanic. He was now a large man ... 6' tall and 185 pounds. (adding a few pounds over the years so that he weighed over 200 pounds.) Frank was a very good dancer and liked to socialize with crowds of people.
It was spring 1916 at Clear Creek when I was helping my sister, Ina, that Frank and I first met. We didn't get very well acquainted that first year but I came back to visit my sister a year later and when a social was held that all the young ladies were supposed to bring a ‘box lunch for two', Frank outbid all the others for my box which meant that we were partners for the evening, and we went' steady' from then on.
MARRIAGE AND FAMILY:
We were married in a Civil Ceremony in Manti, Utah, 1st of October 1917 and spent that first week in Salt Lake City choosing some furniture for our first home in Clear Creek, Utah.
At the time we were married Frank was 25 years old, 6 feet tall, 175 pounds, brown eyes and light brown hair. Florence was 24 years old, 5 foot 6 inches tall and weighed 120 pounds, with dark brown eyes and hair. (As this is prepared for posting on the web in May 2007, several people who knew Florence well, estimate that she seemed more like 5'8" at least.)
Six months later, 3rd April 1918, we were endowed and eternally married in the Salt Lake Temple. Church Patriarch, Hyrum G. Smith performed our ceremony.
On the 26th of August 1918 we were blessed with our first child, a girl whom we named, Grace. Frank was very fond of children and always was kind to his family as well as a good provider.
The winter of 1918 was extremely cold and the first year of the flu epidemic.
Many people died that winter and we were all called upon to help where and when we could. Frank had the flu and was very, very sick, but his life was spared at this time.
Frank was still working as a mechanic in the mine at Clear Creek when our first son, Richard Lewis was born. We were very happy with our babies.
SPRING CITY, SUNNYSIDE AND CASTLE GATE:
In the spring of 1922 Florence went to Spring City, Utah to help take care of her mother, Mary C. Brough who was very ill at the time.
About that same time there was a strike at the mines so Frank went back to Clear Creek; had our furniture shipped to Spring City where we rented a house and stayed until that fall. Frank started work at Standardville, where we lived for a year before he transferred to working at Sunnyside,Utah.
However, Grace, Richard and I had to live in Price until February, 1924 when we found a house to live in Sunnyside, just in time to get settled before our second son, Robert Curtis was born on 2nd April 1924.
Bob was a wonderful baby and we loved him very much.
A big mine explosion where many lives were lost required Frank to spend some time in Castle Gate during March 1924. Frank was sent there to help clean up from the disaster. When work resumed in Castle Gate and after our baby was born we moved from Sunnyside to Castle Gate. We lived in a small house near the store at first and moved to a larger house where we now stayed for three years.
PROVO, FAIRVIEW, COLUMBIA, BACK TO FAIRVIEW:
We moved to Provo briefly, almost purchasing a home there but decided to buy a home in Fairview instead. (July 1927) At first, Frank worked in the Blacksmith Shop in Fairview but when the work was not providing sufficient income Frank went back to the mines and his wife and children lived in Fairview without him for two years except for an occasional visit.
We moved to Columbia, Carbon County, Utah next, but we moved back to Fairview for a short time before returning to Columbia to stay for sixteen years.
COLUMBIA TO STAY FOR SIXTEEN YEARS:
Our children attended Grade school at Columbia, Sunnyside Junior High and High School in Price.
We made many good friends in Columbia; had lots of good times and the family was finally able to live altogether in one place for a few years. Frank and Florence held many offices in the church and community.
Frank was very generous with his means and time, not only to his own family, but to anyone in need. He was particularly mindful of the widows in the town.
CHURCH OFFICES THAT FRANK HELD:
1st Counselor in the Mutual Improvement Association in Standardville, 1922-1923
Ward Clerk at Castle Gate, Utah, 1927
1st Counsel with Bishop Wilton Liddell in Columbia, 1931
(set apart by Stake President A. W. Horsley)
Ordained a High Priest by Angus E Johnson, 30 December 1934
Columbia Ward Bishop, November 27, 1938 to May 1944
COMMUNITY OFFICES HELD:
President of the Medical Board
President of the Credit Union
Leader in the Scout Program
CALIFORNIA TRIP:
25th August 1939 we left on a real vacation to California.
Grace was already living in California;
Richard had just begun to work for the Company and didn't wish to leave his job.
(I always felt badly that Richard didn't go with us; but Grace did return from California with us so the family was all together once more.)
Robert was the only one to go on this wonderful trip with us.
We spent a week in the Los Angeles area first; then onto San Francisco and the World's Fair, which we enjoyed very much. On the way home we stopped at Pittsburg California to tour the steel plant. We also spent one night in McGill, Nevada where Florence's cousin, Evan Crawforth lived. Evan took us on a tour of the copper mill.
HEART ATTACK AND MOVE TO PROVO:
All three of our children were in the Armed Services in February 1944, when Frank was stricken with a heart attack, and had to spend a month in Salt Lake City under the care of heart specialist. The Dr. advised us to not go back to the mines to do the heavy mechanics' work anymore. Arrangements were made so that he could work in Orem, Utah at the Geneva Steel Mills as a ‘scales man'. He worked here for three years beginning May 27th, 1944.
A home was purchased in Provo at 345 East 6th North.
Frank had another heart attack and died on 14th June 1947. He was buried in Provo City Cemetery 18th June 1947. Block 15 Lot 61.
Handwritten by his wife, Sarah Florence Brough
Edited by Robert Curtis and Birdean Tippet Larsen
(from the Robert Curtis and Birdean Tippets Larsen collection)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
George Franklin Larsen was born at Fairview, Sanpete County, Utah August 9th, 1892. His father was Niels Lewis Larsen; mother Mary Eleanor Vance.
His father died when Frank (as he was called) was almost 4 years old and his brother two years younger. Their mother never remarried but devoted her life to taking care of the boys and making a living for them and herself.
The mother took her two small boys to Salt Lake City with her while she attended the Dr. Ellis R. Shipps School of Obstetrics and Nursing. They all lived with Mary's mother-in-law, Anna Marie Larsen, during this period of time.
The Midwife and Nursing Diploma was signed and dated 25 March 1898. An opportunity to practice her skills in Mink Creek, Idaho was offered to Mary, which she accepted. They lived there for about a year and a half (January 1901 to May 1902).
MINK CREEK IDAHO EXPERIENCE:
The boys were at home alone when an expectant father came wanting Mary and her obstetrical services immediately. Upon learning that Mary was away on another case, he demanded that Frank go get his mother to come speedily to his home.
Because the man was so insistent, and Frank realized the urgency of the situation, he was forced to find a way to notify his mother. He borrowed a partially broken thoroughbred horse from a neighbor (probably without permission) and set off down a muddy road. The horse even had to cross a river swollen with spring rains. As they neared their destination neither the horse nor the rider were expecting a barbed wire gate that had been strung across the lane. The valuable horse was fatally injured; the rider was muddy and bloody after being thrown off the horse and his mother was furious when she saw Frank approaching the house on foot with the urgent message. Furious, not at the messenger, but at the man who forced her young son to embark on a mission so dangerous under the circumstances.
The widowed mother felt that she and her boys would be more safe living closer to their Utah relatives and before long the little family packed up their belongings and returned to the home that Mary's husband, Niels, had built for his family.
HOME AGAIN IN FAIRVIEW:
Mary opened up another practice and the boys attended school.
Frank was fourteen when he felt that he was old enough to help make the living and got a job with Bishop Nielson bailing hay. One day Frank's left foot got caught in the bailer and almost cut off, in fact it was hanging by the Achilles tendon only. Frank was taken home to his mother who sent for the Doctor immediately.
The Doctor predicted that the foot would not grow back together but finally relented and stitched it on anyway after Frank repeatedly insisted. Recovery was painfully slow taking most of the next year.
That injured foot was much smaller than the other one even when Frank was mature, so he always wore high top shoes to compensate for the size difference as well to add support for the weaker ankle. The leg and foot gave him much discomfort and he walked with a slight limp for the rest of his life; but it was not his nature to complain.
UNCLE OFFERS TO TEACH FRANK NEW SKILLS:
When he was about fifteen and still using crutches sometimes, his aunt Cadie and her husband Lon Forbush took him to Monroe, Utah to live with them while he learned the blacksmith and machinist trade from Uncle Lon. It was hard work for a young man who was not fully healed and up to his full strength but he stayed there until he was near seventeen years old before going to Idaho to work for a while.
CLEAR CREEK WORK AND SOCIALS:
Next he moved to Clear Creek, Utah to work as a mine mechanic. He was now a large man ... 6' tall and 185 pounds. (adding a few pounds over the years so that he weighed over 200 pounds.) Frank was a very good dancer and liked to socialize with crowds of people.
It was spring 1916 at Clear Creek when I was helping my sister, Ina, that Frank and I first met. We didn't get very well acquainted that first year but I came back to visit my sister a year later and when a social was held that all the young ladies were supposed to bring a ‘box lunch for two', Frank outbid all the others for my box which meant that we were partners for the evening, and we went' steady' from then on.
MARRIAGE AND FAMILY:
We were married in a Civil Ceremony in Manti, Utah, 1st of October 1917 and spent that first week in Salt Lake City choosing some furniture for our first home in Clear Creek, Utah.
At the time we were married Frank was 25 years old, 6 feet tall, 175 pounds, brown eyes and light brown hair. Florence was 24 years old, 5 foot 6 inches tall and weighed 120 pounds, with dark brown eyes and hair. (As this is prepared for posting on the web in May 2007, several people who knew Florence well, estimate that she seemed more like 5'8" at least.)
Six months later, 3rd April 1918, we were endowed and eternally married in the Salt Lake Temple. Church Patriarch, Hyrum G. Smith performed our ceremony.
On the 26th of August 1918 we were blessed with our first child, a girl whom we named, Grace. Frank was very fond of children and always was kind to his family as well as a good provider.
The winter of 1918 was extremely cold and the first year of the flu epidemic.
Many people died that winter and we were all called upon to help where and when we could. Frank had the flu and was very, very sick, but his life was spared at this time.
Frank was still working as a mechanic in the mine at Clear Creek when our first son, Richard Lewis was born. We were very happy with our babies.
SPRING CITY, SUNNYSIDE AND CASTLE GATE:
In the spring of 1922 Florence went to Spring City, Utah to help take care of her mother, Mary C. Brough who was very ill at the time.
About that same time there was a strike at the mines so Frank went back to Clear Creek; had our furniture shipped to Spring City where we rented a house and stayed until that fall. Frank started work at Standardville, where we lived for a year before he transferred to working at Sunnyside,Utah.
However, Grace, Richard and I had to live in Price until February, 1924 when we found a house to live in Sunnyside, just in time to get settled before our second son, Robert Curtis was born on 2nd April 1924.
Bob was a wonderful baby and we loved him very much.
A big mine explosion where many lives were lost required Frank to spend some time in Castle Gate during March 1924. Frank was sent there to help clean up from the disaster. When work resumed in Castle Gate and after our baby was born we moved from Sunnyside to Castle Gate. We lived in a small house near the store at first and moved to a larger house where we now stayed for three years.
PROVO, FAIRVIEW, COLUMBIA, BACK TO FAIRVIEW:
We moved to Provo briefly, almost purchasing a home there but decided to buy a home in Fairview instead. (July 1927) At first, Frank worked in the Blacksmith Shop in Fairview but when the work was not providing sufficient income Frank went back to the mines and his wife and children lived in Fairview without him for two years except for an occasional visit.
We moved to Columbia, Carbon County, Utah next, but we moved back to Fairview for a short time before returning to Columbia to stay for sixteen years.
COLUMBIA TO STAY FOR SIXTEEN YEARS:
Our children attended Grade school at Columbia, Sunnyside Junior High and High School in Price.
We made many good friends in Columbia; had lots of good times and the family was finally able to live altogether in one place for a few years. Frank and Florence held many offices in the church and community.
Frank was very generous with his means and time, not only to his own family, but to anyone in need. He was particularly mindful of the widows in the town.
CHURCH OFFICES THAT FRANK HELD:
1st Counselor in the Mutual Improvement Association in Standardville, 1922-1923
Ward Clerk at Castle Gate, Utah, 1927
1st Counsel with Bishop Wilton Liddell in Columbia, 1931
(set apart by Stake President A. W. Horsley)
Ordained a High Priest by Angus E Johnson, 30 December 1934
Columbia Ward Bishop, November 27, 1938 to May 1944
COMMUNITY OFFICES HELD:
President of the Medical Board
President of the Credit Union
Leader in the Scout Program
CALIFORNIA TRIP:
25th August 1939 we left on a real vacation to California.
Grace was already living in California;
Richard had just begun to work for the Company and didn't wish to leave his job.
(I always felt badly that Richard didn't go with us; but Grace did return from California with us so the family was all together once more.)
Robert was the only one to go on this wonderful trip with us.
We spent a week in the Los Angeles area first; then onto San Francisco and the World's Fair, which we enjoyed very much. On the way home we stopped at Pittsburg California to tour the steel plant. We also spent one night in McGill, Nevada where Florence's cousin, Evan Crawforth lived. Evan took us on a tour of the copper mill.
HEART ATTACK AND MOVE TO PROVO:
All three of our children were in the Armed Services in February 1944, when Frank was stricken with a heart attack, and had to spend a month in Salt Lake City under the care of heart specialist. The Dr. advised us to not go back to the mines to do the heavy mechanics' work anymore. Arrangements were made so that he could work in Orem, Utah at the Geneva Steel Mills as a ‘scales man'. He worked here for three years beginning May 27th, 1944.
A home was purchased in Provo at 345 East 6th North.
Frank had another heart attack and died on 14th June 1947. He was buried in Provo City Cemetery 18th June 1947. Block 15 Lot 61.
George Franklin Larsen History
Handwritten by his wife, Sarah Florence Brough
Edited by Robert Curtis and Birdean Tippet Larsen
(from the Robert Curtis and Birdean Tippets Larsen collection)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
George Franklin Larsen was born at Fairview, Sanpete County, Utah August 9th, 1892. His father was Niels Lewis Larsen; mother Mary Eleanor Vance.
His father died when Frank (as he was called) was almost 4 years old and his brother two years younger. Their mother never remarried but devoted her life to taking care of the boys and making a living for them and herself.
The mother took her two small boys to Salt Lake City with her while she attended the Dr. Ellis R. Shipps School of Obstetrics and Nursing. They all lived with Mary's mother-in-law, Anna Marie Larsen, during this period of time.
The Midwife and Nursing Diploma was signed and dated 25 March 1898. An opportunity to practice her skills in Mink Creek, Idaho was offered to Mary, which she accepted. They lived there for about a year and a half (January 1901 to May 1902).
MINK CREEK IDAHO EXPERIENCE:
The boys were at home alone when an expectant father came wanting Mary and her obstetrical services immediately. Upon learning that Mary was away on another case, he demanded that Frank go get his mother to come speedily to his home.
Because the man was so insistent, and Frank realized the urgency of the situation, he was forced to find a way to notify his mother. He borrowed a partially broken thoroughbred horse from a neighbor (probably without permission) and set off down a muddy road. The horse even had to cross a river swollen with spring rains. As they neared their destination neither the horse nor the rider were expecting a barbed wire gate that had been strung across the lane. The valuable horse was fatally injured; the rider was muddy and bloody after being thrown off the horse and his mother was furious when she saw Frank approaching the house on foot with the urgent message. Furious, not at the messenger, but at the man who forced her young son to embark on a mission so dangerous under the circumstances.
The widowed mother felt that she and her boys would be more safe living closer to their Utah relatives and before long the little family packed up their belongings and returned to the home that Mary's husband, Niels, had built for his family.
HOME AGAIN IN FAIRVIEW:
Mary opened up another practice and the boys attended school.
Frank was fourteen when he felt that he was old enough to help make the living and got a job with Bishop Nielson bailing hay. One day Frank's left foot got caught in the bailer and almost cut off, in fact it was hanging by the Achilles tendon only. Frank was taken home to his mother who sent for the Doctor immediately.
The Doctor predicted that the foot would not grow back together but finally relented and stitched it on anyway after Frank repeatedly insisted. Recovery was painfully slow taking most of the next year.
That injured foot was much smaller than the other one even when Frank was mature, so he always wore high top shoes to compensate for the size difference as well to add support for the weaker ankle. The leg and foot gave him much discomfort and he walked with a slight limp for the rest of his life; but it was not his nature to complain.
UNCLE OFFERS TO TEACH FRANK NEW SKILLS:
When he was about fifteen and still using crutches sometimes, his aunt Cadie and her husband Lon Forbush took him to Monroe, Utah to live with them while he learned the blacksmith and machinist trade from Uncle Lon. It was hard work for a young man who was not fully healed and up to his full strength but he stayed there until he was near seventeen years old before going to Idaho to work for a while.
CLEAR CREEK WORK AND SOCIALS:
Next he moved to Clear Creek, Utah to work as a mine mechanic. He was now a large man ... 6' tall and 185 pounds. (adding a few pounds over the years so that he weighed over 200 pounds.) Frank was a very good dancer and liked to socialize with crowds of people.
It was spring 1916 at Clear Creek when I was helping my sister, Ina, that Frank and I first met. We didn't get very well acquainted that first year but I came back to visit my sister a year later and when a social was held that all the young ladies were supposed to bring a ‘box lunch for two', Frank outbid all the others for my box which meant that we were partners for the evening, and we went' steady' from then on.
MARRIAGE AND FAMILY:
We were married in a Civil Ceremony in Manti, Utah, 1st of October 1917 and spent that first week in Salt Lake City choosing some furniture for our first home in Clear Creek, Utah.
At the time we were married Frank was 25 years old, 6 feet tall, 175 pounds, brown eyes and light brown hair. Florence was 24 years old, 5 foot 6 inches tall and weighed 120 pounds, with dark brown eyes and hair. (As this is prepared for posting on the web in May 2007, several people who knew Florence well, estimate that she seemed more like 5'8" at least.)
Six months later, 3rd April 1918, we were endowed and eternally married in the Salt Lake Temple. Church Patriarch, Hyrum G. Smith performed our ceremony.
On the 26th of August 1918 we were blessed with our first child, a girl whom we named, Grace. Frank was very fond of children and always was kind to his family as well as a good provider.
The winter of 1918 was extremely cold and the first year of the flu epidemic.
Many people died that winter and we were all called upon to help where and when we could. Frank had the flu and was very, very sick, but his life was spared at this time.
Frank was still working as a mechanic in the mine at Clear Creek when our first son, Richard Lewis was born. We were very happy with our babies.
SPRING CITY, SUNNYSIDE AND CASTLE GATE:
In the spring of 1922 Florence went to Spring City, Utah to help take care of her mother, Mary C. Brough who was very ill at the time.
About that same time there was a strike at the mines so Frank went back to Clear Creek; had our furniture shipped to Spring City where we rented a house and stayed until that fall. Frank started work at Standardville, where we lived for a year before he transferred to working at Sunnyside,Utah.
However, Grace, Richard and I had to live in Price until February, 1924 when we found a house to live in Sunnyside, just in time to get settled before our second son, Robert Curtis was born on 2nd April 1924.
Bob was a wonderful baby and we loved him very much.
A big mine explosion where many lives were lost required Frank to spend some time in Castle Gate during March 1924. Frank was sent there to help clean up from the disaster. When work resumed in Castle Gate and after our baby was born we moved from Sunnyside to Castle Gate. We lived in a small house near the store at first and moved to a larger house where we now stayed for three years.
PROVO, FAIRVIEW, COLUMBIA, BACK TO FAIRVIEW:
We moved to Provo briefly, almost purchasing a home there but decided to buy a home in Fairview instead. (July 1927) At first, Frank worked in the Blacksmith Shop in Fairview but when the work was not providing sufficient income Frank went back to the mines and his wife and children lived in Fairview without him for two years except for an occasional visit.
We moved to Columbia, Carbon County, Utah next, but we moved back to Fairview for a short time before returning to Columbia to stay for sixteen years.
COLUMBIA TO STAY FOR SIXTEEN YEARS:
Our children attended Grade school at Columbia, Sunnyside Junior High and High School in Price.
We made many good friends in Columbia; had lots of good times and the family was finally able to live altogether in one place for a few years. Frank and Florence held many offices in the church and community.
Frank was very generous with his means and time, not only to his own family, but to anyone in need. He was particularly mindful of the widows in the town.
CHURCH OFFICES THAT FRANK HELD:
1st Counselor in the Mutual Improvement Association in Standardville, 1922-1923
Ward Clerk at Castle Gate, Utah, 1927
1st Counsel with Bishop Wilton Liddell in Columbia, 1931
(set apart by Stake President A. W. Horsley)
Ordained a High Priest by Angus E Johnson, 30 December 1934
Columbia Ward Bishop, November 27, 1938 to May 1944
COMMUNITY OFFICES HELD:
President of the Medical Board
President of the Credit Union
Leader in the Scout Program
CALIFORNIA TRIP:
25th August 1939 we left on a real vacation to California.
Grace was already living in California;
Richard had just begun to work for the Company and didn't wish to leave his job.
(I always felt badly that Richard didn't go with us; but Grace did return from California with us so the family was all together once more.)
Robert was the only one to go on this wonderful trip with us.
We spent a week in the Los Angeles area first; then onto San Francisco and the World's Fair, which we enjoyed very much. On the way home we stopped at Pittsburg California to tour the steel plant. We also spent one night in McGill, Nevada where Florence's cousin, Evan Crawforth lived. Evan took us on a tour of the copper mill.
HEART ATTACK AND MOVE TO PROVO:
All three of our children were in the Armed Services in February 1944, when Frank was stricken with a heart attack, and had to spend a month in Salt Lake City under the care of heart specialist. The Dr. advised us to not go back to the mines to do the heavy mechanics' work anymore. Arrangements were made so that he could work in Orem, Utah at the Geneva Steel Mills as a ‘scales man'. He worked here for three years beginning May 27th, 1944.
A home was purchased in Provo at 345 East 6th North.
Frank had another heart attack and died on 14th June 1947. He was buried in Provo City Cemetery 18th June 1947. Block 15 Lot 61.
Handwritten by his wife, Sarah Florence Brough
Edited by Robert Curtis and Birdean Tippet Larsen
(from the Robert Curtis and Birdean Tippets Larsen collection)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
George Franklin Larsen was born at Fairview, Sanpete County, Utah August 9th, 1892. His father was Niels Lewis Larsen; mother Mary Eleanor Vance.
His father died when Frank (as he was called) was almost 4 years old and his brother two years younger. Their mother never remarried but devoted her life to taking care of the boys and making a living for them and herself.
The mother took her two small boys to Salt Lake City with her while she attended the Dr. Ellis R. Shipps School of Obstetrics and Nursing. They all lived with Mary's mother-in-law, Anna Marie Larsen, during this period of time.
The Midwife and Nursing Diploma was signed and dated 25 March 1898. An opportunity to practice her skills in Mink Creek, Idaho was offered to Mary, which she accepted. They lived there for about a year and a half (January 1901 to May 1902).
MINK CREEK IDAHO EXPERIENCE:
The boys were at home alone when an expectant father came wanting Mary and her obstetrical services immediately. Upon learning that Mary was away on another case, he demanded that Frank go get his mother to come speedily to his home.
Because the man was so insistent, and Frank realized the urgency of the situation, he was forced to find a way to notify his mother. He borrowed a partially broken thoroughbred horse from a neighbor (probably without permission) and set off down a muddy road. The horse even had to cross a river swollen with spring rains. As they neared their destination neither the horse nor the rider were expecting a barbed wire gate that had been strung across the lane. The valuable horse was fatally injured; the rider was muddy and bloody after being thrown off the horse and his mother was furious when she saw Frank approaching the house on foot with the urgent message. Furious, not at the messenger, but at the man who forced her young son to embark on a mission so dangerous under the circumstances.
The widowed mother felt that she and her boys would be more safe living closer to their Utah relatives and before long the little family packed up their belongings and returned to the home that Mary's husband, Niels, had built for his family.
HOME AGAIN IN FAIRVIEW:
Mary opened up another practice and the boys attended school.
Frank was fourteen when he felt that he was old enough to help make the living and got a job with Bishop Nielson bailing hay. One day Frank's left foot got caught in the bailer and almost cut off, in fact it was hanging by the Achilles tendon only. Frank was taken home to his mother who sent for the Doctor immediately.
The Doctor predicted that the foot would not grow back together but finally relented and stitched it on anyway after Frank repeatedly insisted. Recovery was painfully slow taking most of the next year.
That injured foot was much smaller than the other one even when Frank was mature, so he always wore high top shoes to compensate for the size difference as well to add support for the weaker ankle. The leg and foot gave him much discomfort and he walked with a slight limp for the rest of his life; but it was not his nature to complain.
UNCLE OFFERS TO TEACH FRANK NEW SKILLS:
When he was about fifteen and still using crutches sometimes, his aunt Cadie and her husband Lon Forbush took him to Monroe, Utah to live with them while he learned the blacksmith and machinist trade from Uncle Lon. It was hard work for a young man who was not fully healed and up to his full strength but he stayed there until he was near seventeen years old before going to Idaho to work for a while.
CLEAR CREEK WORK AND SOCIALS:
Next he moved to Clear Creek, Utah to work as a mine mechanic. He was now a large man ... 6' tall and 185 pounds. (adding a few pounds over the years so that he weighed over 200 pounds.) Frank was a very good dancer and liked to socialize with crowds of people.
It was spring 1916 at Clear Creek when I was helping my sister, Ina, that Frank and I first met. We didn't get very well acquainted that first year but I came back to visit my sister a year later and when a social was held that all the young ladies were supposed to bring a ‘box lunch for two', Frank outbid all the others for my box which meant that we were partners for the evening, and we went' steady' from then on.
MARRIAGE AND FAMILY:
We were married in a Civil Ceremony in Manti, Utah, 1st of October 1917 and spent that first week in Salt Lake City choosing some furniture for our first home in Clear Creek, Utah.
At the time we were married Frank was 25 years old, 6 feet tall, 175 pounds, brown eyes and light brown hair. Florence was 24 years old, 5 foot 6 inches tall and weighed 120 pounds, with dark brown eyes and hair. (As this is prepared for posting on the web in May 2007, several people who knew Florence well, estimate that she seemed more like 5'8" at least.)
Six months later, 3rd April 1918, we were endowed and eternally married in the Salt Lake Temple. Church Patriarch, Hyrum G. Smith performed our ceremony.
On the 26th of August 1918 we were blessed with our first child, a girl whom we named, Grace. Frank was very fond of children and always was kind to his family as well as a good provider.
The winter of 1918 was extremely cold and the first year of the flu epidemic.
Many people died that winter and we were all called upon to help where and when we could. Frank had the flu and was very, very sick, but his life was spared at this time.
Frank was still working as a mechanic in the mine at Clear Creek when our first son, Richard Lewis was born. We were very happy with our babies.
SPRING CITY, SUNNYSIDE AND CASTLE GATE:
In the spring of 1922 Florence went to Spring City, Utah to help take care of her mother, Mary C. Brough who was very ill at the time.
About that same time there was a strike at the mines so Frank went back to Clear Creek; had our furniture shipped to Spring City where we rented a house and stayed until that fall. Frank started work at Standardville, where we lived for a year before he transferred to working at Sunnyside,Utah.
However, Grace, Richard and I had to live in Price until February, 1924 when we found a house to live in Sunnyside, just in time to get settled before our second son, Robert Curtis was born on 2nd April 1924.
Bob was a wonderful baby and we loved him very much.
A big mine explosion where many lives were lost required Frank to spend some time in Castle Gate during March 1924. Frank was sent there to help clean up from the disaster. When work resumed in Castle Gate and after our baby was born we moved from Sunnyside to Castle Gate. We lived in a small house near the store at first and moved to a larger house where we now stayed for three years.
PROVO, FAIRVIEW, COLUMBIA, BACK TO FAIRVIEW:
We moved to Provo briefly, almost purchasing a home there but decided to buy a home in Fairview instead. (July 1927) At first, Frank worked in the Blacksmith Shop in Fairview but when the work was not providing sufficient income Frank went back to the mines and his wife and children lived in Fairview without him for two years except for an occasional visit.
We moved to Columbia, Carbon County, Utah next, but we moved back to Fairview for a short time before returning to Columbia to stay for sixteen years.
COLUMBIA TO STAY FOR SIXTEEN YEARS:
Our children attended Grade school at Columbia, Sunnyside Junior High and High School in Price.
We made many good friends in Columbia; had lots of good times and the family was finally able to live altogether in one place for a few years. Frank and Florence held many offices in the church and community.
Frank was very generous with his means and time, not only to his own family, but to anyone in need. He was particularly mindful of the widows in the town.
CHURCH OFFICES THAT FRANK HELD:
1st Counselor in the Mutual Improvement Association in Standardville, 1922-1923
Ward Clerk at Castle Gate, Utah, 1927
1st Counsel with Bishop Wilton Liddell in Columbia, 1931
(set apart by Stake President A. W. Horsley)
Ordained a High Priest by Angus E Johnson, 30 December 1934
Columbia Ward Bishop, November 27, 1938 to May 1944
COMMUNITY OFFICES HELD:
President of the Medical Board
President of the Credit Union
Leader in the Scout Program
CALIFORNIA TRIP:
25th August 1939 we left on a real vacation to California.
Grace was already living in California;
Richard had just begun to work for the Company and didn't wish to leave his job.
(I always felt badly that Richard didn't go with us; but Grace did return from California with us so the family was all together once more.)
Robert was the only one to go on this wonderful trip with us.
We spent a week in the Los Angeles area first; then onto San Francisco and the World's Fair, which we enjoyed very much. On the way home we stopped at Pittsburg California to tour the steel plant. We also spent one night in McGill, Nevada where Florence's cousin, Evan Crawforth lived. Evan took us on a tour of the copper mill.
HEART ATTACK AND MOVE TO PROVO:
All three of our children were in the Armed Services in February 1944, when Frank was stricken with a heart attack, and had to spend a month in Salt Lake City under the care of heart specialist. The Dr. advised us to not go back to the mines to do the heavy mechanics' work anymore. Arrangements were made so that he could work in Orem, Utah at the Geneva Steel Mills as a ‘scales man'. He worked here for three years beginning May 27th, 1944.
A home was purchased in Provo at 345 East 6th North.
Frank had another heart attack and died on 14th June 1947. He was buried in Provo City Cemetery 18th June 1947. Block 15 Lot 61.
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