The history below was written by Margarett and included in the the book Born of Noble Heritage compiled by LaVern Liljenquist Hacking to tell the story of Samuel Allen Wilcox, his two wives and twenty-one children. It was originally published in the Samuel Allen Family Bulletin #5, year 1948, pages 15-17.

SAW1_14. MARGARETT MAREN WILCOX BREMS

Second Child of Samuel Allen and Anna Christina Petersen Wilcox

I was born at Cedar Fort, Utah on December 11, 1875. I grew to adult age in Cedar Fort, going to school, Primary, MIA and Sunday School and enjoying all the privileges of young people at that time.

I can remember many good times we had at the home of Grandma Wilcox, as we always called my father's first wife. She always had some work for us to do, but was kind and good to all us children. We loved to hear her tell us about the Prophet Joseph Smith and the testimonies she would tell us about. I remember my father's brother, William Christopher, called Billy or Bill, came to Cedar Fort to visit with my father and family. He had his daughter with him. He had been sick or something. He looked so pale and old then. That was in January 1893, about the second, I think. They were at Grandma Wilcox's home when my future husband and I went to see them just before going to the Manti Temple to be married.

John Brems and I were united in wedlock on January, 4, 1893.

My husband was born in Watenheim, Germany in the year 1867 on the 25th of November. He came to Zion when he was about seven years old with his parents, Frantz and Christina Loutensock Brems. They came directly to Lehi, Utah and it was always their home.

My husband had a nice two-room brick house, had it all finished and furnished for us to go into when we were married.

We stayed at our home about two years and then my husband went to work on the Union Pacific Railroad and of course it was away from our home. That meant we'd have to move if we wished to be together, so we left our lovely little home and went 69 miles on the rail road. We stayed thereabout two years. It was almost a desert, only one more family there. We even had to get our water to use off the train when it came every day, and it was not very healthy either, as it come in barrels.

We were glad to leave that place when we moved to Eureka, Utah, where we lived for five years. We had two children born in Eureka, but my health was not good. Neither was my little boy, Francis, well. So when John E. was five weeks old, I said, "I am going back to Lehi. If I stay here know we will lose our baby." For I believed it was too high an altitude for either of us. Francis was so sick he could hardly lift his little hand but as soon as we came into the lower land he sat up in the train and looked around. He was better from that time on. It was through our prayers and pleading with the Lord to give us wisdom. I have always felt that that move was made through inspiration and a guide to save the life of such a sweet little child, and he has grown to be a strong man, married, have a large family, be a good Latter-day Saint, and a faithful temple worker at the Salt Lake Temple.

We have lived in Lehi ever since we came back in 1897. We have lived in the third ward, Lehi Stake since 1902.

I have been a constant worker in the church in different wards. When we lived in Mammoth, Juab Stake, I was a Relief Society teacher. I was for sixteen years Relief Society teacher in three wards. I have also been a class leader; worked in the MIA and was second counselor in the Relief Society for eight years, being released when the bishopric was reorganized. I was older than either the president or the first counselor, but they both have died since. I have been home bound for several years myself with lameness, mostly in my knees. I feel fine in my body, only it's hard to get around. However, I have not been idle. I have crocheted two hundred pieces in the last two years, including two large table cloths. I bottled three hundred or more quarts of fruit and vegetables last season, mostly sitting on a stool. I can sit by the washing machine and wash the clothes, then my husband hangs them on the line to dry and brings them in when they are ready. I can manage the house very well, as I take the stool with me back and forth even to sweep or mop my floors.

My husband just celebrated his eightieth birthday on the 25th of November. It was cold weather but we had a nice crowd call in the afternoon, about one hundred and forty people. Some came from as far as Spanish Fork even though the roads were slippery.

My husband is well and full of energy and busy always. He has been a good Church worker, lived the word of wisdom, served in Sunday School, Genealogical Society and was a Ward Teacher for many years. He has been a High Priest for a long time and is still a worker in Priesthood activities.

We have had eight children. The first four were boys. When our little girl came along she did not stay with us very long. She was a strong healthy child until she got rheumatic fever. She was sick five years but was getting better all the time. We had faith she would be well, but the influenza came along and took her away from us. She died January 3, 1919.

That was a sad winter for everyone. All public gatherings were closed – no meetings, no dances, no schools, not even funerals were held in public buildings. Our little girl's funeral was held in the front yard on the 5th of January. It was cold but no snow. Many people wore a mask or a cloth across their noses and mouths, when not in their own home. They thought that would prevent them from taking the disease, but many were sick and some died. Some of the healthiest looking were the first to go. Some were sick only a few hours and they were dead. Almost everyone was panicky for fear they would be next.

We had five grandsons in war service and two grandsons-in-law. They are all home now but one.



Our children's names and [edited to include Samuel Allen Wilcox Family #, life range, daughter's married name and Find A Grave #]
SAW1_14_1. Grantly LaMar Brems, (1893-1965) #
SAW1_14_2. Francis Allen Brems (1895-2001) # 93579
SAW1_14_3. John Ezra Brems
SAW1_14_4. Arnold Clifton Brems
SAW1_14_5. Margarett Christina Brems
SAW1_14_6. Jerrel Eric Brems
SAW1_14_7. Bertha Elthera Brems Adams
SAW1_14_8. Vera Orel Brems Bullock #

We have at present (1948) 26 grandchildren, twenty great grandchildren.. Two of our sons went on missions, Arnold to California; Jerrel to the Northwest and Alaska. We are proud of our family, children and grandchildren.

Margerett did a lot of thinking her last few years and believed her sentiments were expressed in this poem.


MYSELF AND ME

I'm the best friend I ever had
I like to be with me,
I like to sit and tell myself
Things confidentially.
I often sit and ask me
If I shouldn't or I should
And I find my advice to me
Is always pretty good.

I never got acquainted with myself
‘Til here of late.
I find myself a bully chum,
I treat me simply great.
I walk with me and talk with me
And show me right from wrong.
I never knew how well myself
And me could get along.

I never try to cheat me,
I tell the truth to me.
No matter what may come or go,
I'm on the square with me;
It's great to know yourself and have
A pal that's all your own.
To be such company for yourself
You're never left alone.

You'll try to dodge the masses
And you'll find a crowd's a joke
If you'll trust yourself as well
As you trust other folk.
I've made a study of myself
Compared with the lot
And I've finally decided
I'm the best friend that I've got.

Just get together with youself
And trust yourself with you.
You'll be surprised to find how
Well yourself will like you
If you do.