Last Name: Chandler
First Name: Harriet ELiza
Age: 78
Gender: F
Cemetery: Rigby, Idaho
Birth Date: 8 SEP 1858
Birth Place: Willard,UT
Date Died: 21 NOV 1936
Death Place: Rigby,ID
Father: Alfred Cordon (1817 - 1871)
Mother: Emily Maria Pridmore Cordon (1828 - 1894)
Spouse: James J. Chandler
Sources: Post Register 23 p 3, 27 p 3 Funeral, Eckersell Mort. Eastern Idaho Death Records
Remarks: Cemetery Book p 190

Early in the morning of 8 September 1858 in Willard, Box Elder, Utah, a baby girl first opened her soft brown eyes in this world. Opened them to a life of hardship and privation, sorrow and sickness, and yet, could she have had her choice she probably would not have had it different; for sorrows make the joys seem sweeter, and that which we fight for is dearer than gold.
Hers was a noble heritage. Her mother, Emily Pridmore, had given up home, family and friends for the gospel's sake; and her father Alfred Cordon was one of the staunchest supporters and workers in the church. This couple called their little daughter Harriett Eliza. When Harriett was two years old a baby brother, George, was added to their home circle. These two children knew all of the hardships and privations to which most of the early pioneers were subjected. Well they knew what it meant to be hungry, and many hours were spent on the hills near their home digging sego, that they might have something to eat. Sometimes their meal would consist of a slice of brown bread which they dipped in the clear waters of a little creek.
George soon assumed the leadership and was always very kind to his sister, protecting here and taking the hardest part of the work himself. They both protected and cared for their mother, who was not very strong, and when they heard rumors that the soldiers were coming to take away all of the women married in polygamy, they found a cave in the hills and planned to take their mother there and hide her away where she would be safe.
One morning early, Harriett had been on an errand and on turning into her gate she glanced up the road. At that moment a company of soldiers came into view over a rise of ground not far away. The morning sun shone and sparkled on their brilliant uniforms, making a very striking picture but that was not the thought that struck terror to the heart of the child who stood there watching them approach. The soldiers were coming for her mother and there was not time to hide her away. However the soldiers were on their way to quell an Indian uprising and passed on by, but never as long as she lived did Harriett forget that morning.
Disappointments were many in this little household. One spring morning after an extremely hard winter, the father came in carrying a bunch of young grain. They not only welcomed the tender young shoots a tasty dish for their dinner but they rejoiced in its promise of a bountiful harvest for the crops looked very fine. But before night came the sun was hidden by a cloud of crickets which landed on the green fields and devoured most of the crops, of which they had been so proud.
Again it was a rainy Christmas morning. Just two days before, another brother, Arthur, had come to live with them. The rain came dripping through the dirt roof and they were kept busy placing all the available tubs and buckets so as to keep the water from their mother's bed. One of them had to work continuously wiping the water from the floor; but in spite of all this the children were thrilled because grandmother had made them a plum pudding for dinner. Not a plum pudding as we think of it but one made with wild plums and molasses. What a treat; but poor Harriett was doomed to disappointment because she was obliged to mop up the water while the rest ate.
Later on another brother, Herbert, was born and Harriett learned early the art of homemaking and caring for the children. When she was thirteen her father passed away and the little family was left to find a way to provide for themselves. Harriett found work where ever she could. Many times she worked from daylight until dark, washing, carrying her own water and chopping the wood, for 50 cents a week and for fear she would not earn her money, she was often admonished to "use more elbow grease and not so much soap". At one time she worked for six weeks for a pair of shoes. Thus the years passed and with them Harriett's 16th birthday. Romance came into her life, and she met and married a young school teacher, James Jarvis Chandler. For several years they lived quietly and happily in Willard and then a call came from the Presidency of the church for them to go on a mission to an Indian Farm the church had established on the Washakie Reservation in southern Idaho and Northern Utah. He was to teach school to the Indians and she to act as Mother, Nurse and Advisor. Their family at this time consisted of three little girls. Emily, Hattie and Cora, but nothing daunted they accepted the call and packed up and went to live among the Indians. Many were the experiences they went through enduring the years they lived on this farm. Through their efforts, and those of other missionaries the Lamanites were taught to read and write and were also taught the principles of the gospel. Many of them joined the church and remained steadfast all during their lives, living their religion and doing much temple work for their kindred. It was while they were on the Indian farm that the little family had their first real sorrow. A baby boy was born to them but only lived one short month.
After serving the Indians for four years, they were released and returned to Willard to make their home again. However they were not to be left in peace for long. This time James was called to fill a mission in England and Harriett had to work and plan to support her family and keep the home fires burning. This she did for more than two years before the family was united again in a happy reunion.
During all this time, Harriett had proven herself a wonderful mother. She was devoted to her family and many were the sacrifices she made for them. She was charitable and always willing to lend a helping hand. She was staunch in here belief and lived and taught her children the principles of the gospel. She was a woman of great faith and many times it was exercised in behalf of her family and herself. In fact she always felt that it was only through the goodness of the Lord that her life was spared. She had several serious illnesses when her life was despaired of. At one time she was very ill and asked to be administered to. As the brethren pronounced the blessing upon her she could see two evil personages standing in the doorway. They were carrying a long black casket on which was written the words, Death and Destruction. As the sealing was finished they vanished shaking their heads and muttering or rather hissing the word, Priesthood.
Another time she had been suffering for days. She was propped up in bed as she had been unable to lie down. She felt that she could stand it no longer and told her husband that she must lie down and get some rest if she were to live. She said, "I feel that if I could just lie down and sleep for one half hour, I would get better." He administered to her and helped her to lie down. She immediately went to sleep and when she opened her eyes again he said to her, "well you have had your wish, you have slept for exactly thirty minutes." From that time on she improved in health. She has often testified that during that sleep she was visited by her father. He told her that she could have her choice of living, or not, at that time. If she chose to live she might have many trials and much sickness to endure. Being a true mother she told him she would like to live to raise her family and he promised her it whould be as she wished.
So the years passed, some good, some bad. One especially bad year came in the early nineties when they buried a 21 month old daughter, Grandmother Cordon and their second baby boy who lived only two weeks.
An especially good year came in 1896 when they were blessed with another baby boy, who was permitted to live. It was in this year too, that her dream of a new home was realized. Yes, life was indeed good. But they were not to enjoy their new home for long. James felt that he must find a place of greater opportunities for himself and his family and as glowing reports came from the Snake River Valley in Idaho they decided to sell their Utah home and seek their fortunes in a newer country. In June 1901 they loaded what possessions they could take in a wagon, bought a team, hitched the cow to the back of the wagon and started for Idaho. They settled in Rigby, buying a farm and also a lot in town. James tended his farm in the summer and he and the older girls taught school in the winter. Although they missed the mountains that had been so near them they soon grew to love their new home and they never regretted the change they had made. Harriett found that her ability as a nurse was soon discovered and she was in demand many times in homes where there was sickness. She held many positions in the church and was for years president of the Relief Society. She gave birth to nine children, of which she raised six. Five girls and one boy. She also raised two of her husband's children, by another wife who died when they were very small, and was a real mother to them. At the time of her death she had 49 living grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.
Her husband died in 1922 and she was very lonely without him, but she carried on, loving and counseling her children who were all married and making homes for themselves. The last five years of her life were life were shadowed by very poor health. She was forced to discontinue her active life and be cared for much of the time. Being dependent on others worried her, not a little as it had always been her custom to help rather than to be helped.
She lived until Nov, 21, 1936 when she passed on, leaving a world made better because of her. In closing I should like to apply to her, the words of the poet:
Toiling, rejoicing sorrowing, onward through life she went
Each morning saw some task begun, each evening saw it close.
Something accomplished, something done, she has earned a sweet repose. (Bio obtained from family search)