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Show Telford garnished communities with talent and dedication f . I " i . V ; I 1 Bv SARAH HANSEN i- From din roads to super highways, from private comer hot dog stands to fast food corporations, Robert W. Telford has watched it all develop. This 81-year-old lifetime resident of West Bountiful has witnessed changes from the horse drawn carriage car-riage to man walking on the moon. He has survived World War I, World War II and the Great Depression. Depres-sion. He has experienced firsthand the Roaring 20s, the post-war prosperity pros-perity of the 50s, the hippie era and the computer age. His life has followed the growth pattern of America, times of both boom and bust. He was part of the development of the nation. Telford's early years were strongly influenced by the work ethic that was so prominent in America at the turn of the century. He maintained that philosophy throughout his life, claiming that his middle initial W. stands for work. His first job began at age 11, selling sell-ing ice cream on a stick for 5 cents from an iron-wheeled cart he pushed push-ed around Salt Lake City. His $1.25 a day profit paled the day he pushed his cart five miles to the fire at the Utah Oil Company and sold out, the 'American Way "taking advantage advan-tage of opportunity. Telford moved from ice cream to newspapers, traveling seven miles a day on his paper route. As a teenager, teen-ager, he worked in a canning factory fac-tory and on local farms, including his Grandfather Burnham's where he was offered a partnership on a crop of yellow onions. "We pushed wheel hoes all day,' Telford said. At 17, he expanded his instinct for entrepreneurship by delivering produce to Idaho and Wyoming in an old "van." His venture was not a great success story, however. It was a wonder that I could sell my dust-covered, softened produce after traveling the dusty, rutted, rock-filled roads on the nearly rub-be rub-be rless tires," he said. He wonders now if he made any money at all because of the frequency fre-quency of profitless runs from incidents in-cidents such as gas fumes making a load of live chickens ill. Telford also tried his hand at a roadside stand in Idaho Falls, but it failed because of thefts. He continued farming throughout this time, determined but struggling to get ahead. He washed windows, operated elevators, worked as a night watch man, and managed a fruit stand on the comer of Broadway Broad-way and 300 South in Salt Lake City to supplement his income. The Crash of '29 was devastating to the entire nation, but not to Robert Telford's goals. He married Wanda Secrist that year and built their first home which was actually an unused chicken coop that they built on to. That 24 by 24 foot home cost about $650. Highway 91 soon developed near the Telfords' front yard. He once again took advantage of the opportunity oppor-tunity and built the "first fast food place on the highway in Davis County." He sold hamburgers, hot dogs, drinks and gas. His next project was the construction con-struction of the Great Salt Lake Motel. It began with six units and a community shower, and later expanded with the profits to more units and private baths. As business grew, so did the Telford family. The chicken house could no longer hold their four children. Robert built a three-story brick "dream house" that cost Telford's American dream began at age 11 when he went into business for himself selling ice cream on a stick for five cents. Telford is shown here in front of his father's car at age 1 6. & J" " ' I I 3 ' i i nil ? & i t 0 x I - - - A -. ' I ' J- W A i ;; I ' i about $4,600. World War II reached and affected af-fected everyone. Telford's duties included producing "food for the war effort," managing a store at the Naval base in Clearfield during the winter, training with the Home Guard and serving as War Bond Chairman. With his characteristic twinkle, Telford said, "When the enemy got word that I was in training, they gave up and declared peace! ' ' He also purchased the first rubber tired tractor in Davis County and plowed his and his neighbors' fields. In the prosperity that followed the war, Telford expanded his business busi-ness interests to a partnership in the Sunset Mortuary in Clearfield. His love for farming prevailed, however, commenting that "it was kind of a dead business." He acquired more land and became known throughout the valley as the "Onion King." He also further expanded the motel and built a large service station. As America became a mobile country, freeways were constructed, including 1-15 which put Robert out of business when his land was condemned con-demned by the state as access for the freeway. Once again showing his American spirit, Robert started over. He built his third house for $20,000 and continued to farm, developing de-veloping property into building lots. He was now the father of seven children and one foster child. Along with Mrs. Angus Mangus, he promoted the incorporation of the West Bountiful area. He was elected mayor and completed culinary, sewer and irrigation systems. He later became a deputy assessor of Davis County and was elected County Treasurer. Telford had one regret, his lack of education. He achieved success in the "true American spirit," however. He was able to receive his high school diploma for his work during the war. The progress of the 60s culminated with the "Giant Leap Day." Telford remembers well his feelings on that day. "I really couldn't believe that I would live to see such events," he said. "It . seemed impossible." Telford "did not have time to retire." At the age of 78, he fulfilled another of his dreams. He purchased a 360-acre certified Idaho russet potato farm in Paul, Idaho. He also manages warehouses in Salt Lake City. In addition, he keeps active with his hobbies of walking, dancing, reading, traveling and working in the Salt Lake Temple. Most of all, he enjoys "bringing happiness to all people." In the midst of his busy life, he has served many callings in the LDS church including three missions to California. Califor-nia. Robert W. Telford describes himself as typical of his generation. His generation, however, has been anything but typical. They lived through the devastating and the miraculous, laying the groundwork for their children's generation and those to follow. . ' v I fr- ... - 1 xn I I k ' ! V ' 1 I i " ' c I I ' , i j " ' 1 The American dream means being prepared when opportunity knocks. As Highway 91 developed, Telford took advantage of the opportunity and built the Telford Service station in 1 949. . . . . . i i - -i . . n . Lni i i miHH ih I. i Pimo "yhi iUJ I y iw, n p .A,VCvBlB Telford's early years were influenced by the work ethic that was so prominent in America at the turn of the century and in his family. He has maintained that philosophy. Telford's family: Left to right: Zan, his father, Laura, his sister, Robert, and Etta, his mother. r ' ' r L . - - .--s- s L X . f . - . ' ? , ,. r - L r r n . .. . : - ... ' -s ....... -':-y. ': ' r : ; , "" X ' , -:- 4 & 1 1, : I :' i "J" 1 - ' i ' - . r ' 1 i ' V L- ' 'f . . J The Telfords' Great Salt Lake Motel operated for 30-years. As the profits began to pour in, the motel expanded from six units and a community shower to more units and private baths. The Telford's dream began to build along with their first business busi-ness on highway 91. It was the first fast food place on the highway in Davis County. He sold hamburgers, drinks and gas. ROBERT W. TELFORD K A v . I " - xVW - atoiw I ... . i v 1 . v. i , X i - ? : i : -i-t.., ;f-;:; Robert W. Telford, 81 -year-old lifetime resident of West Bountiful, typifies the American Spirit ! upon which our country was founded. He has done everything from sell ice cream to serve as the ! Davis County Treasurer. He claims the initial W in his name stands for work. Farming has been an important part of Telford's life. As a teen-ager his grandfather offered him a partnership on a crop of yellow onions. Later in life he would be know throughout the valley as the "Onion King." At age 78, Telford purchased a 360-acre certified Idaho russet potato farm. |
