Moses Peterson Geddes

Moses Peterson Geddes—farmer, missionary, grain elevator manager, law enforcement officer, and LDS bishop is remembered by most people as a talented writer and humorist—a memory that is well deserved and exemplified by Moses' many published poems, newspaper columns, and songs.

Moses was born in Preston, Idaho on September 18 1894, the son of Martena Peterson and Hugh Stewart Geddes. His ancestors were converts to the Church from Scotland and Denmark who crossed the plains in covered wagons with the Mormon pioneers and helped settle Utah and Idaho.

Moses' father, Hugh, spent his youth in Plain City, Utah and after his marriage to Martena Peterson, moved to Preston, Idaho in 1884 where he took up a homestead near Bear River and built a two-roomed log house. Two children were born before he was called to serve an LDS mission in New Zealand. He lived with the Maori people, learned the language, and helped establish the gospel there. Upon his return he bought a farm in Preston nearer town with a two-roomed log home on it and built on four more rooms. Here is where Moses was born, the fourth child in the family of 10 children.

Moses' father served as a bishop and county commissioner, was in the real estate business, and also dry-farmed substantial land in Banida, Idaho, about 12 miles north of Preston. Moses, as a young boy, along with several brothers, spent a great deal of time out on the homestead planting and harvesting the crops. At one time, in 1908, the family was quarantined for several months with Scarlet Fever. Two of the children died and Moses wasn't expected to live, but recovered. In later life, he often referred to this time of his near-fatal illness and doctors said it left him with several medical complications.

When Moses was about 18 years of age his father was called on a second mission to New Zealand. Moses was the oldest child at home, and with the help of his mother and a younger Grant, had to take care of the farms and livestock. His father had been gone a short time when their home burned down. Moses and his mother and two younger brothers lived the rest of the winter in an old granary. Relatives and friends in Preston helped to build a new house.

Moses, tall and slender, with an engaging personality, attended school in Preston. He met and admired a beautiful and intelligent girl, Mary (Mae) Reid, the daughter of Mary Losana and Edward Reid, who lived near the Geddes home. Moses and Mae attended church and school activities together and developed a deep friendship that blossomed into love.

When Moses' father returned home from his mission, Moses accepted a mission call to New Zealand from 1916 to 1919. Moses, 21 years old, spend three years in the New Zealand mission, learning the Maori language, preaching the gospel, helping the natives, keeping a journal and traveling the islands. He thoroughly enjoyed the experience, loved the Moari people, and spoke often of his missionary life. He particularly loved the songs and dances of the native people and learned to perform them. On his return, he was often called upon to participate in programs wearing Maori costumes of a straw skirt and a feathered blanket.

Before leaving on his mission he had a promise from Mae Reid that she would write to him. Mae corresponded faithfully and waited for the missionary, teaching school during his absence. Upon his return they were married, May 28, 1919, in the Logan LDS Temple.

While Moses was on his mission, his father sold the home in Preston and built a house in Banida. So, upon return from a short honeymoon to Salt Lake City, the new couple set up housekeeping in a small home in Banida. Moses helped with the farming of the Geddes property and his young bride helped cook for the farm hands. Mae also taught school in the yellow-brick, two-roomed schoolhouse in Banida. It was during this time that the first three Geddes children were born: Dorothy on May 9, 1920; Dee Reid on Oct 31, 1921; and Lola Mae on June 29, 1923.

In addition to farming, Moses also assisted his brother, Hugh L. Geddes, in managing the Inter-Ocean Grain Growers Company's elevator at Coulam, Idaho, about 2 miles west of Banida. After the crops were harvested in the fall, Moses and his brothers and sisters would often produce traveling shows, taking the dramas to surrounding communities, where, in the those days before radio and TV, they were greatly appreciated. Moses was especially talented in drama and also entertained often at community events with humorous or dramatic readings or skits.

In 1924 Moses accepted a position with the Inter-Ocean Grain Growers Company to manage their grain elevator in Portage, Utah, and the young family moved to that community. While living in Portage, two daughters were born, Moselle on October 24, 1924 in the home at Portage, and Virginia in a Malad hospital on February 18, 1926.

The family returned to Banida in 1926 when Moses was named manager of the grain elevator in Coulam. They purchased a large home with a garage, barn, chicken coop, and cow shed. In addition to operating the grain elevator, Moses also handled the

beet-weighing and shipping facility in Coulam. He also managed his own little farm, planting and harvesting beets of hay crops, cultivating a garden, milking cows, and raising chickens and pigs. This was the time of the “Great Depression” and economic problems were affecting most Americans.

The years the Moses P. Geddes family spent in Banida were especially happy ones. Another son, Arch, was born September 22, 1929. The children attended school, brought home good grades, and enjoyed the country life, with such adventures as riding horses and swimming in irrigation ditches. They especially enjoyed the times their father read aloud to them—the Zane and Grey and Tarzan books being their favorites. Moses was a great father and was dearly loved by his wife and children. He was also good in sports and was a member of the Banida Ward baseball team, and traveled with the team and their fans to various neighboring towns for lively competition.

Moses was ordained Bishop of Banida ward by Elder David O. McKay on August 28, 1932 and proved to be an excellent ward leader. During those years, Moses' wife Mae was busy with duties as a bishop's wife and serving in the Primary, Relief Society and other church organizations, as well as helping him with reports and financial records at the grain elevator.

In the early 1930s Moses wrote a column for the weekly newspaper in Preston, the “Franklin County Citizen.” The column was entitled “Just Plain Mose,” “Banida,” or “Mose Says,” and featured a “Will Rogers-type” of humor and philosophy. The columns sometimes dealt with local or national politics or problems of the on-going depression, as well as news of citizens of the Preston area. Some of Moses' poetry and humorous writing were also printed in other newspapers and published in church magazines.

Moses was elected County Commissioner of Franklin County on August 14, 1934. On November 9, 1934, he was sworn in as an Idaho State Highway Patrolman, Badge No. 18. Thus began a career in law enforcement in which Moses was particularly suited. As a peace officer, he had a special ability to communicate with people and handle complicated problems. As he was informed that it was the policy that he couldn't hold the State Patrolman position and still serve as Franklin County Commissioner, he resigned the commissioner job.

In 1934, Moses and Mae sold their home in Banida and moved to Preston, where they purchased a home at 264 South First West. Moses' son, Arch, and his family now reside in the home, which they have remodeled.

Moses spent long hours in his one-seated highway patrol car. His territory was a big one, reaching to Montpelier on the East, Downey on the North, Malad on the West and the Utah border on the south. His duties as a traffic officer included patrolling the highways, assisting with accidents, issuing driver's licenses, and helping other law enforcement officers.

The children of Moses and Mae attended schools in Preston. A premature baby girl was born to them on February 3, 1935, living only one day was named Mary. Another premature baby, David Lee, was born February 22, 1936 and died the following day. Both infants were laid to rest in the cemetery at Preston. Moses later participated in political activities and worked at Peterborg Nash Motor Company. He died in Preston October 13, 1940 and is buried in the Preston Cemetery.

Mae returned to school and earned her Master's Degree and later taught school in the Ogden area until her retirement in 1964. The six Geddes children continued on with their schooling and established careers. They all married and have families of their own and reside in the Salt Lake-Ogden area, with the exception of Arch, who still lives in Preston. Mae died June 4, 1985 and is buried in the Preston cemetery beside her husband.

Prepared by: Dorothy Geddes Nelson, daughter

The Lonely Farmer

By Moses Peterson Geddes

While I sit alone and listen to the patter of the rain

As it echoes on the shingles and runs down the window pane,

I can hear the old cows bellow as they stand out in the storm

And the old clock slowly ticking makes it lonely on the farm.

Time was when happy voices filled the halls and rooms with cheer;

Now I'm all alone—I'm parted from the ones I love so dear.

We have worked and sweat and worried as we plowed and worked the hills,

Hoping that at time of harvest we could meet our mortgage bills.

How our hearts have swelled with pleasure as we viewed the growing grain,

But it seems as though our efforts and our work have been in vain.

We were happy in those good old days when we could sell our wheat

For enough to pay our taxes and our obligations meet.

When harvest time was over and the grain was hauled away,

How proud and happy I could feel to come back home and say,

“Well, Ma, your hands are cracked and hard, you have helped all summer through,

But we've got a little money, and here is some for you!”

“Go and buy a dress and trinkets that you've wanted for so long.”

And while Ma was cooking supper she would hum some cheerful song.

We could send our boy to high school, could buy shoes for little Mae;

We thanked God for all these blessings at the closing of the day.

Well, now Ma has gone off nursing and the kids have gone to town.

Everybody talks depression, it has sure got people down!

But I hope the fight's soon over and that we can hold the farm.

I will try a little harder and I hope withstand the storm.

We are getting near the summit and it's steepest near the top,

But we all must pull together, this is no good place to stop.

I am longing for the future when folks return once more.

When the wold and all his kindred will be driven from my door.

(Written in 1932 during the Great Depression and published in the local newspaper, the “Franklin County Citizen.”)

OBITUARY FOR MOSES PETERSON GEDDES

LAID TO REST - Mose Geddes - Mose Geddes Dies At Home Sunday: Impressive funeral services were conducted Thursday in the Preston Second ward before an overflowing crowd for Moses Peterson Geddes, 46, who died at his home in Preston Sunday. Mr. Geddes had served in many capacities in Franklin county. He operated the Inter-Ocean grain elevator at Coulam, idaho, and served as bishop of th Banida ward. Prior to that time he served a two year L.D.S. mission in New Zealand. he was elected a Franklin county commissioner in 1934 but resigned in 1935 to become an Idaho state traffic policeman, a position he held for four years.

Born in Preston, September 18, 1894, he was a son of Hugh and martena Peterson Geddes. his widow, Mrs.Mae Reed Geddes of Preston, and six children survive him. They are Mrs. Dorothy G. Nelson, Dee R., Lola Mae, Moselle, Virginia and Archie Geddes, all of Preston. Two brothers, Hugh L. Geddes of Pocatello and Grant P. Geddes of Boise and two sisters, Mrs. Estella Paton of Preston and Mrs. Maud Murray of Ogden, Utah, also survive.

The program was as follows: Son by choir; prayer, President David G. Eames; song, members of Banida ward; talk, Dr. Orvid Cutler; talk, Bishop Joseph Christensen of Banida; talk, Mr. Gibbs of the Portage ward; string trio, Vauna Barton, Marian Bowden, Ruth Webber; talk, Sidney J. Ottly; talk, L.E. Hansen; talk, John A. Carver of Boise; remarks, Bishop Howard Hall; song, Roy Hansen, Lorin Johnson, Norma Crabtree and Helen Palmer; prayer, Alvin Brower.

Interment took place in the Preston cemetery directed by Hendricks Mortuary of Preston.

NOTE: This is a short story I wrote in 2003 that is published in a book about Franklin County Pioneers. Also on file are a lengthy biography on Moses, photos, poems, columns, and newspaper clippings. DGN

• Read the sad account by Mae of his alcoholism and death, after years of being a great husband and father. (10 pages)