Alfred Slade Goodrich

He was born in a little lumber house, the family dwelling, at Vernal, Utah. The house was located about two miles west of Vernal near an old water-powered grist mill managed by Alfred's father.

In 1906 Alfred moved to Bluebell, when there was only one family living in the area. There, despite many hardships, the people managed to find much pleasure in life. Weekly dances were held with people dancing to a fiddle in someone's home. As families moved in and a new house was completed, the people celebrated by having a dance in the home.

Another pioneer family moved to Bluebell, the Levison Hancock family. They had a lovely young daughter named Sylvia Ann. She and Alfred both attended a party one evening, beginning a romance which culminated in marriage three years later. They were married in Vernal, Utah, August 21, 1912, having traveled there from Bluebell by horse-drawn wagon.

Following their marriage, Alfred took employment at the Castle Peak Gilsonite Mine south of Myton, Utah. There Alfred and Sylvia set up their first home, a 10 X 12 tent with walls of boards. Their furniture consisted of a cot, which was converted into a sofa during the day, Sylvia's trunk, a dresser and a cupboard both made from wooden boxes, and a homemade table. Here they were just as happy as if they were living in a mansion.

The next spring they moved back to Bluebell to help operate the Goodrich farm. At first they lived with Alfred's mother, but were soon able to move to their own two-room. All of their children, except Leonard and Howard, were born in this house, Leonard having been born in his grandmother's home in Bluebell and Howard in the Roosevelt City Hospital. Seven of their nine children were raised to maturity, all enjoying the home provided them by their mother and father.

In 1939, a dream come true! A beautiful six-room house was finally completed and made ready for the family. It was completed at the same time electricity was provided for the families in Bluebell; therefore, a new home, one with electricity, was greatly loved and appreciated. The home was financed through the years of saving money from the sale of "bummer Lambs", turkeys, chickens and cream. Many hardships were experienced by this family as they worked to fulfill their "new home" dream.
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Funeral for A. S. Goodrich Held Saturday

Funeral services for Alfred Slade Goodrich, 71, were held in the Bluebell Ward Chapel Saturday at 1 p.m. He died Thursday, January 12 at 1:00 p.m. in his home after a long illness.

Bishop Howard Todd conducted the services. Prayer at home was offered by Orvel Stone and the opening song "Oh My Father" was sung by Owenna Goodrich, Jeanie Seeley, Kirk Larsen and Edgar Cook, accompanied by Gorda Seeley.

Invocation was offered by Byron Goodrich followed by a song, "Face To Face," by Garrett Stone. Remarks were given by Bishop Howard Todd and the first speaker was Leland Angus of Roosevelt. "Beyond the Sunset," was sung by Mrs. Bernard Dastrup and Mrs. Arthur Timothy and the concluding speaker was Hale Holgate of Arcadia. Closing song was "Just Why I Suffer Loss I Cannot Know," and benediction was by U. Bernard Winkler.

Burial was in the Bluebell Cemetery with dedication of the grave by Leslie Goodrich. Pallbearers were six sons, Leonard, Rulon, Arvill, Evan, Norman and Boyd Goodrich.

Mr. Goodrich was born August 20, 1889 in Vernal to George and Rhoda Slade Goodrich. He married Sylvia Ann Hancock August 21, 1912 in Vernal. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Idaho Falls Temple.

Mr. Goodrich was a farmer at Bluebell for approximately 50 years. He opened the reservation when he first started there and homesteaded his land. He retired about one year ago.

He was active in LDS Church organizations. He was past director of the Dry Gulch Irrigation Company and Moon Lake Water Users Association.

Survivors include his widow, Bluebell; sons, Leonard, Bluebell; Rulon, Vernal; Arvil, Pocatello, Idaho; Evan, Norman, Roosevelt; Boyd, Springville; 18 grandchildren: four brothers, two sisters, LeRoy Goodrich, Roosevelt; Gardner, John, Bluebell; Mrs. Floyd (Edith) Case, Mount Emmons; Arthur, Salt Lake City; Mrs. Arvil (Ruth) Stone, Lehi; Four half-brothers and four half-sisters, Albert G. Goodrich, Moses Lake, Washington; Mrs. Nellie Collett, Bountiful; Parley, Tridell; Mrs. Vilate Bodily, Mrs. Lucy Lind, Byron, Vernal; Mrs. Leona Manwaring, Salt Lake City and Leslie B., Bluebell.

-Vernal Express, January 19, 1961, transcribed by Rhonda Holton

Children: Leonard Alfred Goodrich, Alva John Goodrich, Arvil "H" Goodrich, Howard Hancock Goodrich, Evan "F" Goodrich and Ardith Goodrich.

* Check out the Goodrich Family Organization