Byron Goodrich

Byron Goodrich was the eleventh child born to Eliza Ann Taggart and George Albert Goodrich. His father operated the Johnson flour mill and lived in a house close to the mill. Byron was born in this house.

The family then moved to Merrell Ward, now Naples, and built a two-room house on the corner north of the Naples Ward Chapel. Several of his brothers and sisters died there of diphtheria, but he did not contract the dread disease.

His first school days were in the log school house located on what became known as the Jake Karren corner, about one mile north of the Naples Ward chapel. Entertainments were held there, programs, children's dances where he first learned to dance and church meetings.

The three families moved then to their farm about a mile and a half east. All the brothers and sisters of the three families enjoyed each other. There were enough of them for a ball game without any help from the neighbors. However, the neighbors liked to gather there. They would swim in Ashley Creek in the summer, and skate there in the winter. They played all the games children knew. Byron loved to hunt, fish and played baseball where he pitched most of the games. He also took part in foot races.

In 1909, he married Violet M. Starkie, in the adobe house on his father's farm. The next fall they went to Salt Lake City and were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple, going by team and wagon and taking several days to travel each way. Violet said, "The real subject to be discussed is the man I married. I remember how proud he looked when he passed on horseback to see his first girlfriend. He was not very old then, but of course, as all young squirts, he felt very much grown up. As he grew older he took up barbering as an occupation. He bought a new buggy and was one of the best dressed young men in the community. And by the way, he had dark curly hair, was a fine dancer, was very polite and gentle in his manners and always went to church. Of course those were all things that Violet liked about him." They danced the plain waltz, waltz quadrille, plain schottische, seven-up schottische, rye waltz, two-step, three-step, Chicago glide, Jewel and Varsouvianne.

Violet made her wedding dress of Japanese silk, eggshell color, the skirt gathered around the waist had a wide flounce with one inch tucks evenly spaced and a ruffle of wide lace at the top of the flounce. The top or waist of the dress had three-quarter sleeves with tucks round and round, a lace yoke and a ruffle of wide lace around the yoke, a high collar with narrow lace frill at the top. She wore white elbow length lace mitts without fingers, white hose and slippers with medium high heels. A wreath of white orange blossoms was on her head. Byron wore a double-breasted navy blue suit and black oxfords, white shirt and a boutonniere of wax orange blossoms. Their wedding was in the early afternoon and was followed by a wonderful dinner. They received many lovely gifts, including a pure linen tablecloth which they used for twenty years, a rocking chair and a large trunk which is still in use.

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Funeral Rites for Byron Goodrich

Funeral Rites Dated for East Utah-Funeral services for Byron Goodrich, 82, 559 W. 2nd South, former Uintah County Commissioner, will be Saturday at 11 a.m. in the Uintah Stake Center, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Vernal.

Mr. Goodrich was a former member of the Selective Service Board in Vernal. He was a beekeeper and farmer in the Uintah Basin, and had worked as a barber in Vernal for many years.

A member of the LDS Church, he was patriarch of the Uintah Stake at the time of his death, having served for 18 years. He was a former bishop of the Naples Ward and a former member of the High Council and first cunselor in the Stake presidency of the Uintah Stake.

He was born November 23, 1887, in Vernal, a son of Eliza Ann Taggart and George Albert Goodrich. He married Violet Mary Starkie, June 18, 1909, in Vernal; their marriage solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple.

Surviving are his widow; six sons and six daughters, Earl B., Duchesne; Lynn C., Orlo, Lowe, Wayne, all of Vernal; Glenn B., Mrs. J. Wallace (Lela) Johnson, Mrs. Harold (Sydney) Calder, all of Bountiful; Mrs. Hollis (Elaine) Hullinger, Roosevelt; Mrs. Dwayne T. (Venna) Johnson, Mrs. Ronald (Marquita) Gerber, Granger; Mars. John E. (Donna)) Mackay, Salt Lake City; 67 grandchildren; 45 great-grandchildren; three brothers and two sisters, Arthur, Mrs. Elmer (Leona) Manwaring, both of Salt Lake City; John, Leslie, Bluebell, Duchesne County; Mrs. Arvil (Ruth) Stone, Lehi.
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SERVICES TO HONOR BYRON GOODRICH SATURDAY

Funeral services are tenatively scheduled Saturday at 11 a.m. in the Uintah Stake Ceneter for Byron Goodrich, 82, of Vernal who died Wednesday about 11 p.m. in the Roosevelt hospital of natural causes.

Mr. Goodrich was born November 23, 1887 in Vernal to George Albert and Eliza Ann Taggart Goodrich. He married Violet Mary Starkie in the Salt Lake LDS Temple June 18, 1909.

He served in many positions in the government and the LDS Church, among which are county commissioner, Uintah County draft board, County Bee Inspector, bishop of Naples Ward for 10 years, Member of the Uintah Stake Presidency, Uintah Stake Patriarch for about 17 years. His major interest during his life was bee keeping.

Survivors include his widow, Vernal; sons,daughters, Earl Byron, Duchesne; Mrs. Wallace (Lela Mary) Johnson, Mrs. E. Harold (Sydney) Calder, Glen B., all Bountiful; Mrs. Hollis G. (Elaine) Hullinger, Roosevelt; Mrs. Duane T. (Venna) Johnson, Mrs. John E. (Donna) MacKay, Mrs. Ronald G. (Marquita) Gerber, all of Salt Lake City; Lynn C., Orlo, Lowe and Wayne, all of Vernal; grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren total an excess if 125; three brothers and one sister, Arthur, Salt Lake City; Leslie and John, Bluebell and Edith Case, American Fork.

Friends may call at the Vernal Mortuary Fridat evening from 7 to 9 p.m. and Saturday morning prior to services. Burial will be in the Vernal Memorial Park Cemetery.

-Vernal Express, June 11, 1970, transcribed by Rhonda Holton

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BYRON GOODRICH APPOINTED WEED CONTROL SUPERVISOR

The board of county commissioners met for two days last week on Thursday and Friday to consider tax matters, land sales, crickets and weeds.

One of the principal problems discussed was weed control in the county. David A. Smith, state commissioner of agriculture, met with the commission and urged the settling up of projects to fight the weed menace in Uintah County. County Agent Russell Keetch, Elmer Lind and Fred G. Bingham, crop improvement commiteemen, also met with the commission regarding the weed project.

Mr. Smith called attention to the cricket infestation spreading over the state.

The price of burial lots in the Fairview Cemetery in Maeser, now owned by Uintah County, was set at $10 each.

Superintendent L. G. Noble and County Nurse Loftis gave information regarding the Health Day program, instituted this year for the first time, to be held May 7. The county will pay $30 toward the financing the program. The school board has given $75 and Vernal city $25.

It was agreed the county would sell any piece of land they owned at the present time, whether the land is leased or not.

The board will meet May 29 for first equalization date. Many equalization dates are June 2, 3, 4, 11 and 18. The regular meeting of the board will be held June 1.

The county attorney was ordered to draft an ordinance for fees for selling beer in Uintah County. They set the fees at $50 for class A; $75 for class B; $150 for class C and $250 for wholesale license.

Under the NYA project Mrs. Otis Weeks reported people did not seem to be interested enough to make the project pay. Mrs. Weeks stated, however, that some students that need help would work some land owned by the county, if such a project could be started. Another suggestion made by Mrs. Weeks was that an employment office for students and young people be instituted under the supervision of the county.

-Vernal Express, April 29, 1937, page 1 col. 4, transcribed by Rhonda Holton

* Check out the Goodrich Family Organization

Children not listed below: Venna Goodrich Johnson, Donna Faye Goodrich,

Son-in-law: John E MacKay, Glenn B. Goodrich and Marquita Goodrich.