SARAH JANE URSENBACH FRANCIS
Children: Flaurie Eliza; Ester Maud; Roy Elmer; Gilbert; Howard and Lena
Sarah Jane Ursenbach was born on February 15, 1866 in Deanshanger, Northamptonshire, England to Thomas Whitehead and Eliza (Lizette) Durrant. A baby brother, George, died in infancy.
Sarah Jane's grandparents, William and Phoebe Durrant, and her mother, Eliza, were converted to the LDS Church in England. Eliza's membership in the LDS Church eventually brought about a separation and divorce for Sarah Jane's parents.
In 1869, two-year-old Sarah Jane sailed from Liverpool to America with her mother to join the Latter-day Saints in Utah. Octave Ursenbach, an LDS missioary returning from Switzerland, was on the same boat with them and became acquainted with Eliza. A romance blossomed. After their arrival in Salt Lake City, Eliza and Octave were married on November 8, 1869. Shortly after their marriage, Octave adopted Sarah Jane.
Her step-father, Octave Ursenbach, died unexpectedly in February 1871 when Sarah Jane was only five years old. With her mother and baby brother, Octave Frederick, Sarah Jane then moved to Porterville, Morgan County, Utah.
Two years later, her mother met George Compton. He was an immigrant from England and had traveled to America on the same boat as Sarah Jane's uncles, Joseph and Thomas. George and Eliza were married in June 1873. He was the only father whom Sarah Jane knew and raised her to adulthood.
Sarah Jane's childhood and schooling were ordinary for the times. She attended the local log school house where she had many friends. Sarah Jane was active in all the Church organizations.
On September 30, 1885 Sarah Jane married Samuel Francis Jr. in Logan, Utah. She was nineteen years old. Two weeks later Samuel left for a mission in England. Sarah Jane rented the two-room brick home Samuel had built before they were married to assist with her husband's mission expenses. She also went to work by the day or week for families who needed help.
Eventually Sarah Jane purchased a knitting machine and knitted stockings for many people in the county, receiving ten cents a pair for the completed stockings. Her customers furnished the yarn. By these means she kept herself, assisted for the expenses of her invalid mother, and sent money to her husband in the mission field.
After Samuel returned from his mission the young couple moved into their two-room brick home. Tney had to put up with many inoonveniences. There was no indoor bathroom or plumbing. All of their water had to be carried from her father-in-law's well across the street. A round tin tub and a scrub board served as for washing clothes and functioned as the family bath tub as well.
Under these humble circumstances six children were born: Flaurie Eliza; Ester Maud; Roy Elmer; Gilbert; Howard and Lena. They were reared in this modest home, sleeping three in a bed. Later more rooms were added to the house. The siblings recalled in later years that it was a good home where love abounded.
Sarah Jane was not only a dutiful wife and mother, but also helped with the outside work on the farm and in the garden. She was a devoted member of the LDS Church, serving as a teacher in the Sunday School and YWMIA, and as counselor in the ward Primary Association. On September 20, 1901, she was called as Primary President, and held this office until her death.
Sarah Jane Francis passed away on November 22, 1906, Her death at age 40 was due to a ruptured appendix. Little was kmown at the time about this condition and consequently no operation was performed.
She was loved and respected by all who knew her. Sarah Jane's life, though short in years, was an influence for good in the lives of her own children, and those she taught in Church organizations. She instilled in each of them a knowledge and faith in God. Her dying testimony ended with, "I know that my Redeemer lives."
Adapted from "Our Heritage: Samuel and Esther Francis," 1984.
Children: Flaurie Eliza; Ester Maud; Roy Elmer; Gilbert; Howard and Lena
Sarah Jane Ursenbach was born on February 15, 1866 in Deanshanger, Northamptonshire, England to Thomas Whitehead and Eliza (Lizette) Durrant. A baby brother, George, died in infancy.
Sarah Jane's grandparents, William and Phoebe Durrant, and her mother, Eliza, were converted to the LDS Church in England. Eliza's membership in the LDS Church eventually brought about a separation and divorce for Sarah Jane's parents.
In 1869, two-year-old Sarah Jane sailed from Liverpool to America with her mother to join the Latter-day Saints in Utah. Octave Ursenbach, an LDS missioary returning from Switzerland, was on the same boat with them and became acquainted with Eliza. A romance blossomed. After their arrival in Salt Lake City, Eliza and Octave were married on November 8, 1869. Shortly after their marriage, Octave adopted Sarah Jane.
Her step-father, Octave Ursenbach, died unexpectedly in February 1871 when Sarah Jane was only five years old. With her mother and baby brother, Octave Frederick, Sarah Jane then moved to Porterville, Morgan County, Utah.
Two years later, her mother met George Compton. He was an immigrant from England and had traveled to America on the same boat as Sarah Jane's uncles, Joseph and Thomas. George and Eliza were married in June 1873. He was the only father whom Sarah Jane knew and raised her to adulthood.
Sarah Jane's childhood and schooling were ordinary for the times. She attended the local log school house where she had many friends. Sarah Jane was active in all the Church organizations.
On September 30, 1885 Sarah Jane married Samuel Francis Jr. in Logan, Utah. She was nineteen years old. Two weeks later Samuel left for a mission in England. Sarah Jane rented the two-room brick home Samuel had built before they were married to assist with her husband's mission expenses. She also went to work by the day or week for families who needed help.
Eventually Sarah Jane purchased a knitting machine and knitted stockings for many people in the county, receiving ten cents a pair for the completed stockings. Her customers furnished the yarn. By these means she kept herself, assisted for the expenses of her invalid mother, and sent money to her husband in the mission field.
After Samuel returned from his mission the young couple moved into their two-room brick home. Tney had to put up with many inoonveniences. There was no indoor bathroom or plumbing. All of their water had to be carried from her father-in-law's well across the street. A round tin tub and a scrub board served as for washing clothes and functioned as the family bath tub as well.
Under these humble circumstances six children were born: Flaurie Eliza; Ester Maud; Roy Elmer; Gilbert; Howard and Lena. They were reared in this modest home, sleeping three in a bed. Later more rooms were added to the house. The siblings recalled in later years that it was a good home where love abounded.
Sarah Jane was not only a dutiful wife and mother, but also helped with the outside work on the farm and in the garden. She was a devoted member of the LDS Church, serving as a teacher in the Sunday School and YWMIA, and as counselor in the ward Primary Association. On September 20, 1901, she was called as Primary President, and held this office until her death.
Sarah Jane Francis passed away on November 22, 1906, Her death at age 40 was due to a ruptured appendix. Little was kmown at the time about this condition and consequently no operation was performed.
She was loved and respected by all who knew her. Sarah Jane's life, though short in years, was an influence for good in the lives of her own children, and those she taught in Church organizations. She instilled in each of them a knowledge and faith in God. Her dying testimony ended with, "I know that my Redeemer lives."
Adapted from "Our Heritage: Samuel and Esther Francis," 1984.
SARAH JANE URSENBACH FRANCIS
Children: Flaurie Eliza; Ester Maud; Roy Elmer; Gilbert; Howard and Lena
Sarah Jane Ursenbach was born on February 15, 1866 in Deanshanger, Northamptonshire, England to Thomas Whitehead and Eliza (Lizette) Durrant. A baby brother, George, died in infancy.
Sarah Jane's grandparents, William and Phoebe Durrant, and her mother, Eliza, were converted to the LDS Church in England. Eliza's membership in the LDS Church eventually brought about a separation and divorce for Sarah Jane's parents.
In 1869, two-year-old Sarah Jane sailed from Liverpool to America with her mother to join the Latter-day Saints in Utah. Octave Ursenbach, an LDS missioary returning from Switzerland, was on the same boat with them and became acquainted with Eliza. A romance blossomed. After their arrival in Salt Lake City, Eliza and Octave were married on November 8, 1869. Shortly after their marriage, Octave adopted Sarah Jane.
Her step-father, Octave Ursenbach, died unexpectedly in February 1871 when Sarah Jane was only five years old. With her mother and baby brother, Octave Frederick, Sarah Jane then moved to Porterville, Morgan County, Utah.
Two years later, her mother met George Compton. He was an immigrant from England and had traveled to America on the same boat as Sarah Jane's uncles, Joseph and Thomas. George and Eliza were married in June 1873. He was the only father whom Sarah Jane knew and raised her to adulthood.
Sarah Jane's childhood and schooling were ordinary for the times. She attended the local log school house where she had many friends. Sarah Jane was active in all the Church organizations.
On September 30, 1885 Sarah Jane married Samuel Francis Jr. in Logan, Utah. She was nineteen years old. Two weeks later Samuel left for a mission in England. Sarah Jane rented the two-room brick home Samuel had built before they were married to assist with her husband's mission expenses. She also went to work by the day or week for families who needed help.
Eventually Sarah Jane purchased a knitting machine and knitted stockings for many people in the county, receiving ten cents a pair for the completed stockings. Her customers furnished the yarn. By these means she kept herself, assisted for the expenses of her invalid mother, and sent money to her husband in the mission field.
After Samuel returned from his mission the young couple moved into their two-room brick home. Tney had to put up with many inoonveniences. There was no indoor bathroom or plumbing. All of their water had to be carried from her father-in-law's well across the street. A round tin tub and a scrub board served as for washing clothes and functioned as the family bath tub as well.
Under these humble circumstances six children were born: Flaurie Eliza; Ester Maud; Roy Elmer; Gilbert; Howard and Lena. They were reared in this modest home, sleeping three in a bed. Later more rooms were added to the house. The siblings recalled in later years that it was a good home where love abounded.
Sarah Jane was not only a dutiful wife and mother, but also helped with the outside work on the farm and in the garden. She was a devoted member of the LDS Church, serving as a teacher in the Sunday School and YWMIA, and as counselor in the ward Primary Association. On September 20, 1901, she was called as Primary President, and held this office until her death.
Sarah Jane Francis passed away on November 22, 1906, Her death at age 40 was due to a ruptured appendix. Little was kmown at the time about this condition and consequently no operation was performed.
She was loved and respected by all who knew her. Sarah Jane's life, though short in years, was an influence for good in the lives of her own children, and those she taught in Church organizations. She instilled in each of them a knowledge and faith in God. Her dying testimony ended with, "I know that my Redeemer lives."
Adapted from "Our Heritage: Samuel and Esther Francis," 1984.
Children: Flaurie Eliza; Ester Maud; Roy Elmer; Gilbert; Howard and Lena
Sarah Jane Ursenbach was born on February 15, 1866 in Deanshanger, Northamptonshire, England to Thomas Whitehead and Eliza (Lizette) Durrant. A baby brother, George, died in infancy.
Sarah Jane's grandparents, William and Phoebe Durrant, and her mother, Eliza, were converted to the LDS Church in England. Eliza's membership in the LDS Church eventually brought about a separation and divorce for Sarah Jane's parents.
In 1869, two-year-old Sarah Jane sailed from Liverpool to America with her mother to join the Latter-day Saints in Utah. Octave Ursenbach, an LDS missioary returning from Switzerland, was on the same boat with them and became acquainted with Eliza. A romance blossomed. After their arrival in Salt Lake City, Eliza and Octave were married on November 8, 1869. Shortly after their marriage, Octave adopted Sarah Jane.
Her step-father, Octave Ursenbach, died unexpectedly in February 1871 when Sarah Jane was only five years old. With her mother and baby brother, Octave Frederick, Sarah Jane then moved to Porterville, Morgan County, Utah.
Two years later, her mother met George Compton. He was an immigrant from England and had traveled to America on the same boat as Sarah Jane's uncles, Joseph and Thomas. George and Eliza were married in June 1873. He was the only father whom Sarah Jane knew and raised her to adulthood.
Sarah Jane's childhood and schooling were ordinary for the times. She attended the local log school house where she had many friends. Sarah Jane was active in all the Church organizations.
On September 30, 1885 Sarah Jane married Samuel Francis Jr. in Logan, Utah. She was nineteen years old. Two weeks later Samuel left for a mission in England. Sarah Jane rented the two-room brick home Samuel had built before they were married to assist with her husband's mission expenses. She also went to work by the day or week for families who needed help.
Eventually Sarah Jane purchased a knitting machine and knitted stockings for many people in the county, receiving ten cents a pair for the completed stockings. Her customers furnished the yarn. By these means she kept herself, assisted for the expenses of her invalid mother, and sent money to her husband in the mission field.
After Samuel returned from his mission the young couple moved into their two-room brick home. Tney had to put up with many inoonveniences. There was no indoor bathroom or plumbing. All of their water had to be carried from her father-in-law's well across the street. A round tin tub and a scrub board served as for washing clothes and functioned as the family bath tub as well.
Under these humble circumstances six children were born: Flaurie Eliza; Ester Maud; Roy Elmer; Gilbert; Howard and Lena. They were reared in this modest home, sleeping three in a bed. Later more rooms were added to the house. The siblings recalled in later years that it was a good home where love abounded.
Sarah Jane was not only a dutiful wife and mother, but also helped with the outside work on the farm and in the garden. She was a devoted member of the LDS Church, serving as a teacher in the Sunday School and YWMIA, and as counselor in the ward Primary Association. On September 20, 1901, she was called as Primary President, and held this office until her death.
Sarah Jane Francis passed away on November 22, 1906, Her death at age 40 was due to a ruptured appendix. Little was kmown at the time about this condition and consequently no operation was performed.
She was loved and respected by all who knew her. Sarah Jane's life, though short in years, was an influence for good in the lives of her own children, and those she taught in Church organizations. She instilled in each of them a knowledge and faith in God. Her dying testimony ended with, "I know that my Redeemer lives."
Adapted from "Our Heritage: Samuel and Esther Francis," 1984.
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