Horace Erastus West

HISTORY OF ERASTUS WEST: I, Erastus West, was born January 10, 1867, at Parowan, Iron County, Utah. The first thing I remember, when I was about eight years of age, was regarding the church. Word came that President Brigham Young was coming to Parowan. They came on Sunday and held conference. They dismissed Sunday School and all the children went out in the road and grouped together lined on each side of the road. When President Young came up, he opened the door of the buggy. He stepped out on the step of the buggy and took off his hat. The children took off their hats too. This picture of President Young is as vivid today as the very day it happened.

I was baptized when nine years of age in Parowan and confirmed. (When I wrote to William McGregory of the Parowan Ward for the exact date of the baptism, he wrote back stating that a fire had burned all the ward records.)

When I was about nine years old, we supported ourselves. John and I attended 700 head of sheep out from Parowan about fifteen miles. We had to draw water for these sheep out of a well that was thirteen feet deep with a bucket by hand. We managed to keep them from the coyotes. If the sheep scattered at night, it was our job to go after them alone. John was two years older than I.

I was about twelve years old when we did our first farming – an acre or so of grain, etc. That year was the first year we paid tithing. A few potatoes and grain was what we took to the tithing office. The president of the stake received; I will never forget. I have remembered this all my life. While things have come up and discouraged me, this has always helped me not to become discouraged.

When I was about fourteen years old, we moved to Huntington, Emery County, Utah. It was here that I received all my ordinations in the Aaronic Priesthood. My first position in the church was ward librarian. I had the keys to the library. This one opportunity has been a great force in my life in helping me to solve problems. I learned more here, with the access to this library, than I had the opportunity to learn in school. We moved from Parowan because we only had four acres of ground and we felt this was not enough to make a living on.

We took up 120 acres, improved it, and Mother got title on it. Water was very bad here – there were minerals in the ground. We didn't have any wells; we used the ditch. The minerals made the water very unhealthy; it affected the health of the people seriously. While in Huntington I was counselor in the young men's Mutual for two years. Also, I was first counselor to the president over the Aaronic Priesthood in the Huntington Ward for four years. We remained here about six years which would make me twenty years old and then we moved to San Luis Valley, Colorado. I felt that I could not put up with the above conditions.

While in Huntington we went into the mountains to get timber to build a barn, etc. We dragged the logs down the canyon three miles. We would do this along the creek beds. While on this particular trip for logs we had turned out the horses while we were getting the timber. I went after them and prayed to be protected. The trail was so narrow that you could only use one horse. I was fifteen years old at this time. While looking for the horses, I walked to the top of the mountain and there discovered a trail that had been traveled. I followed this trail for some distance thinking I would discover some tracks. While I was on this trail there was a voice that spoke to me and said, "Don't go any further." This voice was so plain and distinct to me, and seemed to be so close to me, that I thought there was some person behind me. I turned my head to look, but I didn't see anyone. I began to be a little nervous. I had stopped. I had a dog following me and I looked for him, and not seeing him I commenced to call him. When I had called two or three times, I turned my head and looked in the direction of the trail I had started to follow. I looked ahead of me; there was a thick thicket that the trail was going through. As I stood here, a mountain lion stepped out from behind a tree in the thicket and stood across the trail looking at me just like he had been watching for me. I knew then what the voice meant for me not to go any further. I turned around and walked back to camp and after I had gone a short ways back down the hill on the other side toward camp, my dog came to me. As I went down this trail, I found the horses a short way down. I took the horses and went to camp. John was at the camp with Mr. Caldwell and the two other men who accompanied us on the trip. These men were considerably older than John and I. This incident happened in the early spring; the snow was just off and the grass was green.

During the following fall, three men were out deer hunting in this locality when they killed this lion. They brought it down to Huntington; it was stuffed and placed in front of the Huntington Ward for people to see. It measured nine feet from tip of tail to the end of its nose. It looked just exactly like the one I had encountered.

After our move from Huntington, John was called on a mission to the Central States. He labored most of the time in Ohio and Pennsylvania. He was gone about three years. I paid for his mission. We rented the farm in Huntington until John came back. After his mission, John returned to Huntington and after living there for some time, eventually sold the place. I was called to go into New Mexico by President Wilford Woodruff to help settle the country. Lona's father was called at the same time. There were ten families in all that were called by President Woodruff. I was then twenty-two years of age. Here is where I got personally acquainted with my wife. We were married December 25, 1893 at Beulah, New Mexico. I stayed two years in New Mexico. We brought water onto the land under great difficulty. We made a dam across the Chama River; we also made canals on some of the land. This project was not successful as the rains would flood and wash all the ditches and dams to pieces, regardless of how well they were constructed. We hauled logs ten miles to make this dam. When it was repeatedly washed away by floods, the stake president thought it unwise to remain. President Woodruff released us.

This incident happened before I was married. This was in Beulah, New Mexico. I went upon the hills for wood; in coming back I had a steep hill to go down. Before I attempted to make it down, I asked my Heavenly Father to protect me so that my wagon would not tip over. I was alone on this trip. I had a rope tied to the lever of the wagon that held the brake. I was controlling this rope with my right foot, so I could hold the team with both hands. While in this position, the lever caught on a limb of the tree which was next to the road. This gave me a jerk and it threw me over so that I fell between the two wheels of the wagon. I said "Whoa" to the horses as I fell and the horses stopped. The back wheel was eight inches from my head when it stopped. I got up and made it home all right.

It was difficult to make a start in New Mexico, due to the lack of capital. At this time Albert R. Smith was stake president. We were now released from the call that President Woodruff had made of us. I went on into Old Mexico for work on the railroad for about nine months. "Go back into the world. Go back into the United States." This was said by all the members as they left Mexico. They felt Mexico was out of the world – off the map so to speak.

I then moved to the Helia River, in the St. Joseph Stake in Arizona. I homesteaded 120 acres here, but sold out and left because of the lack of water. John now decided to leave Huntington; he sold out and went to Emmett, Canyon County, Idaho, in the fore part of 1902. In the later part of 1902 I also went to Emmett, Idaho. I left Lona in Arizona to watch the place. I made the trip first just to look it over. I liked it, so I stayed and never went back to Helia. Lona's brother, Earl, bought our house. Lona came and brought with her our household goods. Ralph was born in New Mexico. Roy and Florence were born in Arizona.

When we went to Emmett, Idaho, we bought a fruit orchard – forty acres. We had made the deal but were in bad need of $500. John had gone to the bank to make the loan but we were not known, just having moved there and so he could not get the loan. He had just come out of the bank and was standing by the post office when a stranger came up and began talking. He made the remark, "You seem to be in trouble," whereupon John explained that he needed this money. The man took out a letter from his pocket and said, "I have $600 in this letter which I am sending to my sister. She loaned it to me, but she does not need it now. You take it." John did. Stewart was his name. We paid this loan the following year with our fruit crop.

We stayed in Emmett from 1902 to 1911. We were together here. We liked it here and enjoyed the orchard. I felt this was my talent for everyone seemed to think I did a fine job with the orchard, the caring of the trees, etc. This was a beautiful farm, with the forty acres of fruit and berries on the one side of the Payette River, and 160 acres on the other side. We had a beautiful grove of trees. I was a home missionary here. I was asked to travel from one ward to another throughout the stake and give talks. I was the largest tithe payer in this locality. Bishop Nelson of our ward made this remark to John. I was powerfully happy; we had more money than we had seen in years and better property.

Because of a privately owned construction water company from the east, the assessments became unbearable for the use of the water for the farm, so we moved to Bliss, Idaho. We lived here one year and moved to Lost River and bought a 320 acre farm. We lived here twelve years.

When we first lived at Lost River, we belonged to the Moore Ward. President Melvin J. Ballard made a trip to Lost River and asked me to come to Darlington to a meeting. At the meeting he asked me to be the president of the newly organized Darlington Branch and I accepted after Brother Ballard sang "I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go Dear Lord." Later there was a stake organized in Lost River and Darlington Branch became the Darlington Ward. I was made bishop of this ward. While I was bishop, the Ward built a beautiful brick chapel. I donated a $1000 to this building.

When the World War broke out, Ralph volunteered. This was in April 1917.

During the summer of 1918, Brother Ballard held a conference at Leslie. The entire family attended, Ralph being in the army at this time. Brother Ballard's message to the people was a need for missionaries. After this meeting Roy walked up and volunteered. Was I surprised! He left in September for the Southern States Mission.

We moved from Lost River to Heyburn and bought an eighty acre farm. The following year we moved to Chinook, Montana, but even though we remained here three years, we did not buy a place.

In the spring of 1928 we came to Paul, Idaho, and bought forty acres of land and made a new start. We lived on this farm for eight years and then sold it to Bishop Greene.

I have had a great deal of joy and satisfaction in owning the little place where we are now living. We have painted and fixed it up so that we are comfortable. I am now eighty years old and at this time I am happy to say that we own our place and do not owe anyone a cent. I have endeavored all my life to be straightforward and honest. I still enjoy at this age reading, milking my cows, and being my own boss.

Compiled by Geneva Day West – June 15, 1947 Reviewed and retyped by Elaine M. West Jensen – January 19, 1997

The following information was found in public census records for Erastus Horace West and his family:

Erastus Horace West was the son of John Anderson West and his first wife, Betsy Jane fish West. John Anderson West was born in Tennesse, joined the LDS church at a young age, and traveled to Utah in 1851 with his entire family. His wife, Betsy, was born in Canada. John and Betsy were early settlers of Parowan, Utah. Erastus was born in Parowan, Utah, on January 10, 1867. In the 1880 U.S. Federal Census for Parowan, Iron County, Utah, 13 year-old Erastus was living with this mother, Betsy, 44, and brother John Anderson West, Jr., 15, and his sister, Sarah A. West,11. In 1880 Erastus' father, John Anderson West, Sr., was living in Snowflake, Arizona, with his younger plural wife, Mary Robinson West and their children.

Erastus married Martha Lona Harriett Elizabeth Wilkins on December 25, 1893, in Beulah, Rio Arriba, New Mexico, per Find A Grave.com. Why Erastus was in New Mexico at that time is unknown. Martha was born February 1, 1874, in Victoria, Coffee County, Alabama. They had four known children: Ralph, Roy, Florence Alpha and Metta Virgie West.

In the 1900 U.S. Federal Census for Lower Gila, Grant County, New Mexico, are Erastus, 32, Martha, 25, and their children, Ralph, 5, Roy, 2, and Florence Alpha, 3 months old. Their first son, Ralph, was born in New Mexico, but Roy and Florence were born in Arizona, and since Roy was born in 1898, we know the family must have moved from New Mexico to Arizona sometime after that. Erastus was working as a farmer on his own farm that he owned free from a mortgage.

By the 1910 census, Erastus has moved to North Emmet, Canyon County, Idaho. In this record they are listed as: Erastus, 41, and his wife Martha (who is listed in the census as Loma, 36) and their children, Ralph, 15, Roy, 12, Florence, 10, and May, 7 years old. The census record indicated they had been married for 15 years. May was born in Idaho, so the family must have moved from Arizona to Idaho about 1903. Erastus was working as a fruit farmer on a farm he owned free from a mortgage.

By 1920, the family had moved to Antelope, Butte County, Idaho, and are listed there as: Erastus, 52, Martha L., 44, and their daughter, Meta V. West, 11. Erastus was now working as a farmer on a stock farm and he owned his farm but had a mortgage on the property.

In 1930, Erastus, 63, and L. Martha, 55, and their daughter, Florence, 24, were living in Paul, Minidoka, Idaho. Erastus and Martha had been married for 35 years. Erastus was still farming. There was also a 1930 U.S. City Directory listing for Erastus and Martha L. West, living in Twin Falls, Idaho, on Rd. 2. Also on the same road is John A. West and his wife, Mayme, and Erastus and Martha's son, Ralph, with his wife, Mary.

By 1940, Erastus and Martha had moved to Burley, Cassia, Idaho, were 73 and 64 years old, and living in their home was Wilber Troute, a "lodger", 26. Erastus had an 8th grade education and his wife, Martha, had 6 years of schooling. Erastus was still farming, and their lodger, Wilber, was working as a mechanic in a garage. For the 34 weeks Wilber worked at 60 hours per week as a mechanic, his income was $510.00, which means he earned only 25 cents per hour! Erastus did not disclose his income in the census record.

Horace Erastus West passed away at the age of 90 years of age on September 29, 1957, and was buried in Heyburn, Minidoka County, Idaho. His wife, Martha, passed away December 13, 1964, in Rupert, Minidoka County, Idaho, and was buried in the Riverside Cemetery in Heyburn with her husband.

Their son, Ralph West, married Mary Mae King, and they had at least five children, Ralph King West, Wendell Horace, Elizabeth, Floyd Daniel, and Melvin John West.

Their son, Roy A. West, married Geneva Rose Day in 1929, and in 1930, they were living in Richmond, Cache, Utah, where Roy was working as a teacher in the church school. Roy was 32 and Geneva, 23. In 1935, they were both living in Durham, North Carolina, and Roy was a student. They lived at 814 6th Street at the time.

By 1940, they were living in Price, Carbon, Utah, with their children, Emerson Roy, 11, Rosa Marie, 6, and Sylvia, 2. Previously, they had been living in Paris, Idaho, in 1935. Both Roy and Geneva had 5 years of college education, and in this census record, Roy was listed as the principal of the church seminary. For the 52 weeks he worked at 60 hours per week in 1939, his income was $2,400.00, which equals 77 cents per hour, which was a pretty good wage for 1939. In 1941 they were living in Provo, Utah, and Roy was working as the principal of the Lehi LDS Seminary

From about 1944 to 1948, Roy and his family lived in Salt Lake City, where he was working as the research director of the department of education at the LDS Church, and they lived at 178 12th East. From about 1956 to 1972, Roy and Geneva were living at either the 12th East address or at 2406 Beacon Drive in Salt Lake City, and Roy was working as the director of research for the LDS Seminaries and Institute.

Erastus and Martha's daughter, Florence A. West, born December 3, 1899, passed away on January 6, 1996, at the age of 97 years old, and her last residence was in Los Angeles, California. I could find no further public records for Florence A. West for some reason

Their daughter, May, also known as Meta Virgie West, married Claude Bailey, and in the 1930 census, they were living in Paul, Minidoka, Idaho, in a home they were renting for $8.00 per month. They had a radio in their home, and were listed there as Claude, 21 and Metta, 20. Claude was working as a yard man in a lumberyard.

By 1940, Metta, 31, was living with her children, Ruby M., 9, Delano C., 6, and Weston D., 3, and Metta was listed as a "new worker". They were living at 218 1st Street in Rupert, Minidoka, Idaho. Metta and Claude must have divorced sometime before 1940 because in the 1940 for Burley, Cassia, Idaho, Claude Delano Bailey, was married to Merle Booth Briscoe, and living with them were her children from a previous marriage to Mr. Briscoe: Bette, 16, Vayle, 14, Duane, 9, and Chere, 6. They were living at 128 South Overland in a home they owned valued at $1,000. and Claude was working as an Interior Decorator doing contract work. His wife, Merle, was doing housework for a private family, and her daughter, Bette, was a teachers assistant at a high school. For the 52 weeks Claude worked in 1939 his income was $1,200.00, and for the 32 weeks Merle worked, her income was $440.

By 1952, Metta Virgie West Bailey married Albert William Harrison in Cache County, Utah. Metta West Harrison passed away at the age of 83 on February 19, 1992, and was buried in the Paul Cemetery, in Paul, Minidoka, Idaho. I wonder how Metta supported herself and her children after her divorce from Claude Bailey. Metta's son Delano C. Bailey, passed away at the age of 76 on June 10, 2010, at his home in Twin Falls, Idaho. Here is an obituary for him:

Delano C. (Del) Bailey, age 76, passed away Thursday, June 10, 2010, at his home in Twin Falls, Idaho. Born Feb. 18, 1934, in Blackfoot, Idaho, he was the son of Metta West and Claude Bailey. He was raised in the Rupert-Burley area and graduated from Burley High School in 1952. He met the love of his life, Ione Brower, in 1950, and they were married in Twin Falls on May 2, 1952. They were sealed to one another in the Logan Utah Temple on Sept. 23, 1955. To this union were born three children, Loyd D., Christine and Shurlyn.

Del was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where he served for many years as a Boy Scout leader and in many other positions including ward missionary, family history specialist, bishop and in the Twin Falls Temple. Two of Del's grandsons are currently serving as missionaries in the Anaheim, California, and Charleston, West Virginia, missions of the church.

Del is survived by his wife, Ione; children, Loyd (Laura) Bailey, Christine (Bruce) Lawrence and Shurlyn (Scott) Flinders; 13 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; sister, Ruby (Hank) Simonis; and brother, Weston Bailey.

A man of charm and wit, Del loved meeting people and worked most of his life as a salesman. Happiest when with his family, he was always busy working and serving others. He was dearly loved and will be missed by all who knew him.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, June 18, at the Twin Falls LDS 3rd Ward Chapel, 2680 Elizabeth Blvd. Friends may visit with the family from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, June 17, at White Mortuary, 136 Fourth Ave. E. in Twin Falls, and one hour prior to the funeral Friday at the church. Following the funeral, interment will be at the Riverside Cemetery in Heyburn, Idaho.

Online condolences may be submitted to the family at: www.whitemortuary.com.

Published Tuesday, June 15, 2010