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Show Volume XXIII Issue IV The Ogden Valley news Page 9 April 15, 2015 Nancy Louisa Ritter (1872 – 1942) The babies came with amazing regularity, six children between 1902 and 1910. So, in addition to all her chores around the farm, Nannie had to care for, feed, and clothe many small bodies and minds. The children were healthy and full of energy. Nannie received help from a neighbor on Mondays. That was washing day, an enormous job in the days before washing machines. Her mother and sisNancy Louisa was born April 22, 1872 ter also provided some help. Eight to ten loaves in Riverdale, Utah. She was the first child of of bread had to be baked every other day to feed all the children, farmhands, John Thompson Ritter and Oregon and visitors. Columbia Thomas Ritter. She was Almost six years went by much loved, having a maternal before the last child was born. On grandmother nearby to help spoil September 22, 1916, a baby girl and love a first granddaughter. arrived in a big rain, thunder, and She was a sturdy and happy child lightning storm. A doctor came with blue eyes and brown hair. from Ogden to assist in the birth, Nancy was named for her two the first time Nannie had had grandmothers, Nancy Ward Ritter that kind of help. Oregon and a and Louisa T. Ritter, both rugged midwife had been present for the pioneer women. first six. Baby Florence became Nancy’s birth was followed everyone’s pet. by that of Haynes’, and then In late 1918, flu covered the Elizabeth’s. In 1880 the family land. Schools were closed and moved to Eden, and many more families stayed close to home. The children were born, roughly every family came and went during the two years—James, Claire, Willie, holiday season, not staying long. George, and twin girls, Martha and New Year’s Day saw Grandma Margaret. They were introduced to Nancy Stallings Oregon very sick. She was taken great literature at an early age; Shakespeare, London, Dumas, and Longfellow to the hospital, and died of a blood clot on joined the Bible on their shelves. When they January 9, 1919. The flu hit Nancy’s family, but were ready for school, Thomp hired a teacher. only a couple were sick. They recovered, but Other families sent their children to the Ritter many in the Ogden valley did not. In 1921, Hyrum purchased 80 acres comhousehold for schooling. When a non-Mormon school opened in Huntsville, the children were prising the Walker place. He also remodeled transported there by horse and buggy. When the the house and moved his family there. In 1922, board of education took over the school system Gertie and Beulah graduated from high school at Sacred Heart Academy. Gertie went to work in Eden, the children were schooled there. Nannie assisted Oregon in caring for a at Hamiltons, a ladies’ shop in Salt Lake City. vegetable and flower garden. Milking cows, Beulah went back to Sacred Heart for two more churning and molding butter, and eventual- years, then on to Weber Normal for two years. She then received a teaching cerly, caring for the poultry, were tificate. all part of her routine. She often In May 1928 Nancy had a spent time in Riverdale, where her gallstone operation. The night grandmother Louisa helped her before her operation, son Jim was learn dressmaking and fine handistruck by lightning as he and Milt work. She had many boy friends in Graham returned from the mounRiverdale and Ogden, but finally tains. Milt was seriously burned. she settled on one boy in Eden— His mother died of a heart attack Hyrum B. Stallings. In April 1902 as she hurried to join him at they were married. The young the hospital. Jim’s eyebrows and couple occupied the Alex Ririe eyelashes were singed off, but he home at the mouth of Ogden cansuffered no other damage. No one yon. Hyrum tended the meadows told Nancy what had happened for Utah Power and Light, and until several days later. Nannie kept a garden, cared for In January 1931, Jim marchickens and geese, and cooked ried Virginia McEntire from for hired-hands; three meals a day Huntsville, and they moved for hard-working, hungry men and into the Dan Walker house. On hauling hay. Hyrum Stallings Note: Information for this historical account of the life of Hyrum Barton Stallings came from the book “From Swineville to Stringtown: Life in Eden, Utah for the family of Hyrum Stallings and Nancy Ritter” that was compiled by Ray Wilmot. For more information about the book, contact Mr. Wilmot at <Rpwilmot@hotmail. com> December 21, 1931, Gene Mack was born, their first child, and the first grandchild for Nancy and Hyrum. In 1934, Hyrum began to have trouble with his crippled foot. He was miserable, and managed to spread his misery out to everyone around him. He was confined to his bed, and Billy Colvin came to nurse him. He died January 30, 1935. The daughters stayed with Nancy, when not working. Jim took over the farm chores. Beulah and Gertie tried to get her to go to Yellowstone with them but she said “the devil lives under that place,” and refused. But in July of 1941, Gertie bought a car and moved back home. Nancy made the trip to Yellowstone with her sister Lizzie, Beulah and Gertie. They visited relatives in Idaho, and had a good time at Yellowstone. They came home by way of Jackson Hole and Teton Pass. In October 1941, Nancy returned to Idaho for the funeral of her brother Jim. When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, Nancy worried about the state of the world. Guards were posted at Pineview Dam. She passed away September 1, 1942. From The Past . . . Special Event Notification A Striders Winter Race Circuit event will be held April 25, starting and ending at Eden Park. This is a running event that will commence at 7:30 a.m. The route proceeds on pedestrian walk ways and back roads, and through neighborhoods. Minimal impact to motorists and the community is expected. From Eden Park, runners will head to Huntsville, head east at the Chevron station, and move towards the monastery before circling back through Middle Fork before finishing back at Eden Park. Additional information and maps can be found at <www. winterracecircuit.com> The GOAL Foundation and Striders Winter Race Circuit are now owned and produced by GOAL. The Ogden Valley News is looking for Ogden Valley and Ogden Canyon historical biographies, stories, and photos to use in its publication. Please mail, email, or call Shanna at 801-745-2688 or Jeannie at 801-745-2879 if you have material you would like to share. Saturday 3:30-4:30 pm or by appointment. Saint Joseph Catholic Elementary, Middle School, and High School Providing a challenging, college-focused education in the proven tradition of Catholic schools, for the families of the Ogden Valley. We want to teach your children! For information on our program, financial assistance, tours, or application, please call 801-393-6051 or 801-394-1515. Photo courtesy of Ray Wilmot. |