Ellen "Nellie" Eliza DeGrey

Ellen Eliza Salisbury was born September 19, 1875, in Nephi, Utah, to parents David Castle Salisbury and his wife, Annie Madsen Salisbury. David and Annie were married September 13, 1858, in Nephi, Juab, Utah. David had arrived in America from England on November 5, 1849, via the ship Camillas, which sailed from Liverpool, England, and arrived at the port of New Orleans, Louisiana. Annie arrived in America with her parents, Jacob and Dorothea Madsen, and siblings in 1857, having recently converted to Mormonism while living in Denmark in the 1840's or early 1850's.

In the 1880 U.S. Federal Census for Nephi, Juab, Utah, their family was listed as follows: David, 42, Annie, 38, Mary Alice, 20, Franklin, 18, William Henry, 16, David, 14, Richard Jacob, 12, Inger Marie, 10, Alfred, 8, and Ellen Eliza or "Nellie", 5, Annie, 2, and Ada Haydee, 3 months old. David was working as a farmer, Annie was keeping house, Mary Alice was working as a servant and Franklin was working on the home farm. David and both of his parents were born in England, and Annie and both of her parents were born in Denmark, and all of their children were born in Utah. Two more children were born to David and Annie, Elijah Madsen Salisbury in 1882 and Jesse Salisbury in 1886, according to the records from the Membership of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1839-1848.

By the 1900 census for Nephi, the family was listed as: David, 63, Annie, 58, Ellen, 24, Ada, 20, Elijah, 18, and Jesse, 14. In 1910, the family was still living in Nephi, and were listed in the census record as follows: David, 74, Annie, 69, Jesse, 22, Elijah, 26, and Mannie, 21, who was listed as David and Annie's daughter-in-law and the wife of Elijah. They had been married for one year. David and Annie had been married for 50 years, had given birth to 12 children, 10 of whom were still living. David was still working as a farmer, even at the age of 74 years old, and he owned his own farm free from a mortgage.

Ellen Eliza "Nellie" Salisbury married Albert Henry DeGrey on December 2, 1902, at the age of 25 years old, in Nephi City, Juab, Utah. They had five children, Sebra (Bea) Wilma born in 1904, Ruel Salisbury in 1905, Earl Clifton in 1907, John Albert (Jack) in 1911, and Ellen Marie in 1914. Sadly, Nellie's brother, Alfred, passed away May 18, 1906, in Nephi, Utah, and was buried in the Vine Bluff Cemetery. Alfred was married to Maude Vilate Hitesman Jones (1874-1923).

In the 1910 U.S. Federal Census for Salt Lake City, they were listed in the census record as follows: Albert H., 33, Nellie, 33, Sebre W., 5, Ruel, 4, and Earl, 2. They were all born in Utah, Albert's parents in England, Nellie's father in England and her mother in Denmark. They were living at 2856 Seventh East Street and Albert and Nellie had been married for 7 years, and had given birth to 3 children. Albert was working as a dry goods salesman, and he owned his own home but had a mortgage.

Nellie's father, David Salisbury, passed away on June 1, 1918, in Nephi, Utah, at the age of 81. Nellie's brother, Franklin, died of lung trouble February 21, 1919. He had been married to Annie Maria Falkner (1878-1961).

Even more tragically, Nellie's husband, Albert, passed away from a ruptured appendix in 1919, and then just four years later, her mother, Anna Madsen Salisbury, passed away at the age of 82 on August 23, 1923, in Juab county, Utah. Both of her parents were buried in the Vine Bluff Cemetery in Nephi, Juab, Utah. It must have been very hard on Nellie losing her husband, her father, brother, and her mother in a period of just five years!

In the 1920 U.S. Federal Census for Salt Lake City, Nellie, a 41-year old widow was living with her children as follows: Sebra, 15, Ruel, 14, Earl, 12, John, 8, Ellen Marie (listed as Helen), 5. Also living in their home at 2590 7th Street East was Nellie's mother-in-law, Maria DeGrey, an 85-year old widow, and Nellie's sister-in-law, Maria DeGrey, 50, who was single. The elder Maria had come to America from England in 1860 and the younger Maria in 1971. The only person working in this census record was the younger Maria who was a machine operator in a shoe factory.

On April 17, 1924, Nellie's daughter, Wilma Sebra "Bea" DeGrey, married Joseph L. Crowton in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was 19 years old at the time of their marriage, having been born May 8, 1904.

The Salt Lake City 1924 U.S. City Directory Listing showed Nellie (widow of Albert H.) was living at 2470 7th Street East, just a few blocks of where she had been living when Albert was alive. Also living there were her daughter, Sebra, working as a clerk for Troy Laundry, Ruel S., a clerk for the Utah Copper Company, and sister-in-law, Maria an operator for ZCMI.

The 1925 directory showed Nellie living at 2590 7th East, along with her son Ruel, who was working as a clerk for Utah Copper Company, and Earl who was a student.

The 1926 directory showed Nellie living at the same address along with her son Ruel, who was working as a laborer for D & R G W, and Earl C., a student.

In the 1930 census for Salt Lake City, Utah, Nellie, was a 54-year old widow living with her children: Earl C., 22, John A., 18, Ellen M., 15, Ruel S., 24, and his wife, Martha S., 23, still living at 2590 South Seventh East Street, a home which they owned valued at $3,500. They had a radio in their home. Earl C. was working as a cement mixer in the building and construction industry, and Ruel was working as a blacksmith helper for the railroad. Ruel and Martha had been married for one year. More sadness came when Nellie's daughter, Ellen Marie, passed away at the very young age of 16 years old in 1930.

Both a 1933 and a 1935 directory listing showed Nellie as an employee of the American Linen Company and was still living at 2590 7th East along with son Ruel, his wife Martha, and son Earl. In 1938 Earl married Edith Winnifred Jones, and they were living at 1180 Warnock Street in Salt Lake City in the 1940 census. Earl was 31 and Edith, 34 years old, and he was working as a truck driver for a motor lines. For the 52 weeks he worked in 1939 at 40 hours per week, his income was $1,800. They were renting their home for $38 per month. Earl had 3 years of high school and Edith had an 8th grade education. She was born in England

In the 1940 census Nellie was still living at the same location, and she and her family were listed as: Nellie, 63, Ruel S., 34, Martha S., 33, and their children, Vernon, 9, and twin daughters Donna, and Deanna, 2. Ruel was working as an auto mechanic, and for the 52 weeks he worked at 50 hours per week at that profession in 1939 his income was $1,080. Nellie was working as a seamstress in a laundry, and for the 50 weeks she worked at 45 hours per week at that profession in 1939 her income was $575. Nellie had an 8th grade education and Ruel had 4 years of high school. His wife Martha had one year of high school.

Nellie's sister, Mary Alice, who had married her first cousin, Thomas Salisbury (1856-1942), passed away July 15, 1940, in Nephi, and was buried in the Vine Bluff Cemetery. Her husband passed away just 2 years later and was buried with his wife at Vine Bluff.

A 1941 directory showed Nellie, Ruel and Martha, still living on 7th East, and Nellie was still a seamstress, Ruel as a mechanic for Ballard & Winn, Inc., and Nellie's son, Earl, was working as a driver for Interstate Motor Lines, and was living at 2799 Dearborn with his wife Edith Winnifred Jones DeGrey.

A 1944 directory showed Nellie still living on 7th East with Ruel and Martha, and Ruel was working as a mechanic for Success Tire Company. Earl and Edith were still living on Dearborn and he was still working as a driver for Interstate Motor Lines.

Nellie's brother, David, passed away March 9, 1945, in Nephi, Utah, and was also buried in the Vine Bluff Cemetery. Nellie's brother, Jesse, passed away April 29, 1961, in Provo, Utah. He was married to Annie Maria Faulkner (1878-1961) after his brother, Franklin, her first husband, passed away in 1919. They were both buried in the Evergreen Cemetery in Springville, Utah. Annie Maria Faulkner had been born in Mannheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany.

In a 1965 U.S. City Directory Listing, Nellie's daughter, Sebra and her husband Joseph Crowton, were living at 2665 17th Street East and he was working as a sheet metal worker for D & RGW.

Nellie passed away on October 4, 1967, and was buried in the Salt Lake City Cemetery on October 7th. Then just three days later, her brother, Elijah, passed away on October 7, 1967, and was buried in the Vine Bluff Cemetery. He had been married to Mary Elizabeth Fowkes Salisbury (1888-1973).

Nellie's son, John "Jack" DeGray, passed away the day before Christmas in 1970 at the age of 59 while living in New Orleans, Louisiana. He married Jean Rachel Braund and they had 4 children. Jean lived another 12 years and died in 1982.

Nellie's nephew, Howard Earl Salisbury, born February 4, 1911, son of Franklin and Annie Falkner Salisbury, passed away June 21, 1977, in Guerneville, Sonoma County, California, from a heart attack. He was buried in the Evergreen Cemetery in Springville, Utah. Howard had served in U.S. Navy during World War II.

Nellie's son, Ruel Salisbury DeGrey, born September 28, 1905, passed away June 29, 1990, in Salt Lake county and was buried in the Salt Lake City Cemetery. Ruel and Martha's daughter, Donna, born June 15, 1937, in Salt Lake City, passed away April 18, 2013, in Salt Lake City, and following is her obituary:

Donna DeGrey, beloved daughter, sister, aunt and friend left this earthly existence on Thursday, April 18, 2013. Donna and her twin sister, Deanna, were born on June 15, 1937, in Salt Lake City, Utah to Ruel and Martha Steiner DeGrey. Donna worked at Western Electric/AT&T/Lucent as a central office switch installer until her retirement in 2001. A fun-loving, funny and adventurous soul, she was willing to try anything - from skydiving during a short stint in the US Navy to scuba diving with nieces and nephews, balloon riding with sisters or piloting a plane on her 75th birthday.

Donna was the pillar of her family, friends and neighborhood. She gave of herself with love, financial support and service. She was regarded by her friends and family as our "Earth Angel." Along with her long-time friend, Donna Lou Palmateer, she sailed their sailboat, hunted, fished, traveled, partied, and had a blast! Generations of nieces and nephews learned how to work and play with her. Words will never describe the many facets of her personality. She met the challenge of lung cancer head on, expecting a full recovery.

She is survived by her brother, Ruel Vernon DeGrey; sisters, Deanna (Ames) Harrison, Vyonne (Doug) Kemp and nieces, nephews and friends too numerous to count. Preceded in death by her parents, sister, Ellen Ranee, and long-time friend, Donna Lou Palmateer.

Funeral services will be held Monday, April 22nd, 11:00 a.m. at Redwood Memorial Mortuary, 6500 So. Redwood Rd. Viewings will be held Sunday evening from 6 - 8 p.m. at the mortuary and one hour prior to services on Monday. Online condolences may be left at www.memorialutah.com.

Published in Salt Lake Tribune from April 20 to April 21, 2013

Parents:

Ruel Salisbury Degrey (1905 - 1990)

Matha Steiner DeGrey

Created by: Robert Libby

Record added: Apr 20, 2013

Find A Grave Memorial# 108792956