Laura Mariah Stephens

Daughter of Katherine Ann Beach

Guardian daughter of Samuel George Read and Laura Ann Gibbs

Married John Whitford Stephens, 27 Oct 1885, Ogden, Weber, Utah

Children: Irma Laura Stephens, Darthula Martha Stephens

Married Richard M. Brown

Son: Recardo Isadore Brown

Married James William Pittman, 3 Feb 1916, cancelled 9 June 1954

NEWSPAPER: Former Nurse Looking to Birthday 93. A jolly, good-natured woman, who still "gets a kick out of life," and says she is "just too busy to die," will be 93 years old on Thursday.

She is Mrs. Laura Read Stephens, 467 1/2-5th Ave. who lives alone, does her own housework, makes her own clothes, gardens and "can turn my hand to pretty near everything."

Mrs. Stephens, who will be honored by family and friends from 6 to 8 p.m. at the little bowery, Jordan Park, likes people, and believes that "the more you get around with people, the better you like them."

She was born Aug. 9, 1863, at 22 N. 1st West, Salt Lake City, to Samuel George Read and Laura Ann Gibbs, early Utah pioneers. The house in which she was born is still standing.

She was married Oct. 27, 1885, to John Whitford Stephens, early Ogden photographer. He died in 1894, in San Francisco where they had lived a short time, and on her return to Salt Lake City, Mrs. Stephens' 7-month-old son, Richard, died Oct. 27, 1894.

She became a nurse, and during World War I was cited by the President of the United States for her nursing service. She also sang in the Salt Lake Tabernacle choir for 10 years.

Mrs. Stephens has two daughters, Mrs. Irma Robinson, Albuquerque, N.M., and Mrs. Darthula Stephens Bruss, Los Angeles, and two grandchildren. [She also had a son, Richardo Isadore Brown Stephens, who died at 7 months old].

A cherished friend is Mrs. Rose Wallace Bennett, mother of U.S., Sen. Wallace F. Bennett. SOURCE: Salt Lake Tribune, Sunday, 5 Aug 1956. RESEARCH: Teton Hanks Jackman.

Laura's father, Samuel Read, taught Laura Mariah, "There never was a picture hung on memories wall, That gave half the simple pleasure, As the rabbit on the wall." Samuel told his wife, Laura Ann, "Dearest each bird is choosing now, A partner to his mind and this should give a timely hint to us of the human kind." Samuel taught Laura Mariah the ABC's on blocks on the floor. He received the London Times paper. He gave Laura the book, Uncle Tom's Cabin. She gave it to daughter, Thula, in box of things.

When Laura was born Samuel was working as a bookkeeper, Deseret News. Laura Mariah Read was a granddaughter of Laura Ann Gibbs Beach Wood Read. Laura Mariah was raised by Samuel George and Laura Ann Read from birth. When Laura was two years old, her mother a school teacher, put her home for sale. Samuel Read Arnold had been making payments on it and when Samuel Read got married, Alicia [Samuel's daughter] paid the house off as a wedding present. Laura and her mother eventually moved to Ogden.

Laura visited back and forth. She usually stayed with her half sister, Clara Read Snell. They corresponded over the years. Laura did not give a clear picture of some of her life. Laura sang in the Salt Lake Tabernacle for ten years. This was a great joy to her. She worked as a nurse in the LDS Hospital during World War I. She received recognition from the President of the United States for her service.