Hugh Broadbent Folsom

LIFE OF HUGH BROADBENT FOLSOM

Hugh Broadbent Folsom was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on April

6, 1871. His earliest recollections are of living on the corner of Folsom Avenue. The neighborhood boys called him "Tubby" because he was fat. Hugh's father objected to nicknames and named all his children names that were hard to substitute. Later in life Hugh picked up the nickname "Hookbeak Folsom".

One year at Christmas time, Hugh's father was short of money and instead of buying gifts for the boys, he made them a pigeon coop in the attic of the barn. He used boxes for the pigeons' nests. The boys were well pleased with their Christmas.

His mother's early teachings remained with him all his life. She had him kneel down by her with his hands in her lap, to learn the Lord's Prayer. She taught him never to swear, to keep the Sabbath day holy - and that meant no skating on the frozen lake nearby, where everybody else came on Sunday. Skating was one of his boyhood pleasures and accomplishments.

At the University of Deseret (Utah) he became better acquainted with Josephine Whitaker. When the 19th Ward was having a Calico Ball, he asked her to go with him. She gave the usual answer, "I have nothing to wear." But before the day of the dance she managed to make a blue dress for the occasion. They rode in a two-wheeled cart which had no back to the seat so on the way home Hugh had to put his arm around her back to support her. After seven years of courting, he married Josephine on June 21, 1894.

The young couple moved quite frequently at first to convenience Hugh's work. His first school was the Bonneville, in which he was janitor, teacher and principal. After various promotions he became principle at Washington School which position he held for 17 years becoming acquainted with the names of nearly all of the children. His next position was at Webster School which he held for over 20 years. A former student wrote as a tribute, "He was a man of poise who never posed. School children gather around him as at the knees of affectionate parents."

He spent many years serving in the Sunday School in the Salt Lake City stakes. He received a congratulatory letter signed by David O. McKay commending him on his work.

He retired from education in 1931. With this came a move to Centerville where Hugh started caring for several orchards. He also served as bishop and enjoyed various trips throughout the western states. When World War II started

it became difficult to work the orchard or even get gasoline for the car. Most of their children lived in the city so they sold the orchards and moved into the city. Having no other work to do Hugh bought, remodeled and sold houses.

Hugh B. Folsom was broad shouldered, sturdily built being about 5 feet 11 inches tall. His blue eyes seem to express kindness and understanding. He was commended as an organizer, as a just and understanding disciplinarian, as a man of strong but commendable convictions, but withal as one with a hearty, wholesome, optimistic personality.