Justen Lamond Olsen

JOHN THOMAS OLSEN By John's Children John Thomas Olsen was born in Gunni son, Sanpete County , Utah on September 15 , 1868. He is the eleventh child of Ole Christopher and Caroline Margaret Olsen. After living in Gunnison for his first couple of years, John, along with his sister Olivia and brother George T., moved with their mother to Ephraim. They lived there until about 1881 when John, George, and their mother moved back to Mayfield where the rest of the family were located. When he wa s a young m an, John played baseball with many teams throughout Sanpete and Sevier Counties. He was regarded as being very good at first base and at the bat. John had alot of musical ability and in his younger life traveled all through Sanpete and Sevier Counties singing tenor with different popular quartets . Many of the older people of Ephraim spoke of him as a very likeable person. Hans Christensen of Ephraim when asked about John stated he knew him well and will always remember how father would go up the street singing at the top of his voice . James Frost of Ephraim told us when they were in Primary, father was chosen as the king of the special primary celebration and John was truly a king that day. John was married t o Maryette LaVern Edwards March 1, 1895, in Sanpete County. They moved in a log cabin at the s outh end of the town of Mayfield. Their first son , Chester John was born on October 3 , 1896. In 1898 the young family moved to Emery under the persuasion of John's brother, George T . , who was living in Emery at the time. They settled on a 160 acre homestead about a mile south of Emery. It was here that these remaining nine children were'f born: Vera October 23, 1898 ( died, Jan. 4, 1899) Alva James October 19 , 1901 ( died, Oct. 24,1933) Walter Kenneth March 28 , 1903 Olevia June 26 , 1905 ( died, June 20,1940) Albert Foster September 21, 1907 Verdus E . August 10 , 1910 Woodrow C. October 20, 1912 Justen Lamond November 29, 1915 Alice October 14, 1917 The farm that John started t o cultivate was small and somewhat alkaine, but the couple in their quite conservative manner managed to continue to feed and clothe this large family. Later John build a home in town. Both homes were as modern as the times would allow. They were one of the first in the community to have a pressure system with hot and cold running water with a bathtub installed in the house in town and a bath tub and sink in the home on the farm. John continued to pursue his musi cal tal ent. Although he didn't have one music lesson in his life to our knowledge , he was responsible for teaching band and music to many of the people in Emery, and when his family was growing up he started an orchestra. With him was Aaron Williams, Joseph Jorgensen, and his two older sons, Chester and Alva. This orchestra became popular by playing for the dances and other public activities for many years throughout Emery County. He was an important leader of the local Emery band and for many years serenaded the town on all impo rtant holidays with h is 25 to 30 members . He was always neady to assist those who were ill or di scouraged. He and some friends obtained harmonicas. This instrument was n ot too well known in those days. They learned to play very well and would serenade the older people to cheer them up . It was told how many of these elderly peopl e enjoyed their music. Some people who had heard them for the first time were so moved they related later they were he'aring angels. During an epidemic of the "flu" in Emery, John would call the sick on the phone and play a cornet solo over the telephone to cheer them. (his grandson John Lamond Olsen still has this cornet) John was thoughtful of others at a ll times. On numerous occasions when people needed help he was the first there to offer his services. He was very generous with both his time and material goods. On one occasion when a Mr. Nielson had irrigated for him, John felt he had not charged enough for his work, so he sent Kenneth, his son, into town with an extra ten dollars for appreciation. Another incident came when John rode all night from Emery to Ephraim, some sixty-five miles over the rough mountain terrain, to prevent an injustice to friends. John was always cheerful. Although he had but little formal education he could speak several languages. LaVern, his wife , (having attended the B. Y. U. Academy) gave him much help and advice in many of his interests and responsibilities. He was active in politics and became a conservative democrate . John also served as a road maintainace man between Emery and Ferron for many years, and worked on other county road jobs . It wasn't until June 6 , 1917, just before Alice was born that John T. and Maryette LaVern were married in the Temple . Although he didn't always attend church, he was a very religious man at heart . He encouraged his children to be good citizens, attend church, and accept all assignments they received with determination and willingness. John was a good family man in spite of his poor health most of his life. He supported his family better than most men could have done under the same circumstances . Never -the-less, many happy days were spent on the little farm for the hard and industerous working people . Father was a man of integrity. No man was more honest than Father . He was well know for his cheerful disposition. He always believed in enjoying life and making every minute count. When John and LaVern had five children, they leased the farm. The John Olsen and Uncle Albert's families then went on a trip by team and wagon to Yellowstone Park. This trip took all summer. But never-the-less, the families really had a good time. Several years before his death John's health was very poor. Chester had joined the forest service and Alva also was conflicted with poor health. This left all the work for Kenneth. Under Father's direction and judgement, the farm continued to produce. In March of 1920, plans were made to celebrate John and LaVern's Silver Wedding Anniversary. They invited all the people in Emery to attend. To be sure no one would be missed, John sent Kenneth into town to personally contact all the people. But misfortune occurred. Father had a heart attack the day of his anniversary. They had to notify all people not to come. John's last instructions to his children were to be good to Mother, be good citizens , and church members. John Thomas Olsen died March 2, 1920, the day after their silver wedding anniversary at Emery, Utah. He was buried in the family plot at Emery. That spring after Father passed away, the good people of Emery came out to the farm, brought their horses and machinery, and put in the crops for Mother and the family. Through her guidance Kenneth, Foster, and Verdus did the farm work. Woodrow and Justin did the lighter chores and Olevia did most of the house work. In 1925, she moved from Emery to Ephraim, Utah, to provide a better opportunity for her children to better their education. Lavern passed away January 6, 1942, at Ephraim, Utah. She was then buried in the family plot at the Emery Cemetery. John and Lavern had much love and devotion for their family. The wonderful examples they set, will always remain with their children throughout their lives. John and LaVern have eighteen grandchildren and nineteen great grandchildren as descendents .

I know what I can become I know what is wished of me. What I am I see only through eyes To close to understand. You are what you know you can be. Your gaze upon my life is a Story yet to be told. We—-We—- Face me my dear one, strengthen My view of self. Sharing our abilities will bring Great promises of Celestial achieving. I am what I am you are no one but Yourself, we are forever!

To My Love From his place in my heart I see him He inhabits the rooms of my mind. Oh please, may he know how I view him This sweetheart of mine who is kind. His love for me is so selfless He fills all my needs in our life The patience I need, self understanding These he hands me with such love - I'm his wife. He's steady and strong, so I lean on him He gives freely with love all I need Of his strength, and tenderly he lifts me High - in my calling, I'm happy indeed.

My Thoughts June 24th—Justen & I read. You can’t just decide to write a poem and then write one—out of thin air— Something just must start the “air” moving or buzzing or humming with inspiration or something to convey or teach. Oh dear, I felt so poemey tonite too! Heart so full! Swelling with the words of Nephi and Jesus telling again his mission and divinely calling men—(other sheep I have which are not of this fold) to carry his example his glory to one and all! They were as in a ring of fire the Holy Spirit’s fire. Oh these words. So many times read—skimmed over—studied, wept over! That’s tonite the tears fell—not for the first time but I need the peace, the bursting, yearning that still lingers. How come I allow myself to feel short changed? In so many ways! I can bear witness—swelling heart, burning bosom. So I’m not beautiful to behold! May I - oh help, heart, be more beautiful to know!