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Show Volume XXX Issue XII The Ogden Valley News Page 9 September 1, 2023 The Story of Ogden Valley: Part V the mill to Wolf Creek. In the same year, Levi Wheeler built a mill over the Ogden River about where the bridge crosses at Pine. He named the canyon Wheeler’s Canyon (Pine View). A dam was constructed which held the water coming from both the Ogden River and Wheeler Creek. Another sawmill was built in Wolf Creek by Moffat and Garnet. Frederick Froerer constructed a lath and picket mill on the South Fork, south of Eden on the John Wilson site. This mill was driven by an old over-shaft wheel. Al Taylor ran a mill on Wolf Creek for making lath, shingles, and pickets. It had an up-and-down saw with a flutter-wheel. Later he sold out to Enoch Fuller. Besides these numerous sawmills in Ogden Valley, there were at Eden, blacksmith and carpenter shops. Armstead Moffat operated the first blacksmith shop. Enoch Burns was one of the town’s first carpenters and cabinet makers. He made much of the furniture used in the various homes, directed and assisted many of the settlers in making their homes, and manufactured most of the coffins for the burial of the deceased. Carpenters who were prominent a little later were Robert Gold, Lon Prichett, and Enoch Fuller. The settlement also had its merchants. Mary Ballantyne ran the first store in Eden. In 1879, John Farrell opened a store in part of his home. Later he erected a building, but it was eventually destroyed by fire. Ether McBride ran a store for a while which also burned down. Elisha Wilbur began a store in 1881. He, too, used part of his dwelling at first but later erected a separate building. The second story of his store, having a hardwood floor, was built for a dance hall. Here the citizens danced for a number of years. Eventually the building sagged and the top story was taken off, leaving the store as it now stands [today’s Carlos & Harley’s]. The Eden merchants in pioneer days experienced many difficulties. Horses were the only mode of travel. It took a two-day trip to secure merchandise from Ogden. Most of the farmers had to have credit until their crops were harvested. If the crops were insufficient, the merchant had to wait until the second year for his pay. Most of the farmers, however, were able to turn a small amount of eggs and butter to the merchants. This had to be taken to Ogden for disposal, a definite expense and inconvenience to the merchant. Note: This series on Ogden Valley was taken from Chapter 18 of the 5th edition of “Beneath Ben Lomond’s Peak” by the Daughters of Utah Pioneers, Weber County Chapter (1995), which was compiled and edited by Milton R. Hunter, Ph.D. The book was 昀椀rst written and published in 1944. Industries During the pioneer period, most of the land was covered with wheat grass which grew about five feet high. It made excellent hay when cut and dried for winter use. In clearing this land for farming purposes, the pioneers found the grass roots very difficult to dislodge. Finally, the wheat grass disappeared and alfalfa, grain, and vegetables grew in its stead. Robert Burns planted the first lucerne in Eden, having obtained the seed from a missionary. Elisha and Ellen Wilbur brought the first watercress into Ogden Valley. All of the settlers produced sufficient potatoes, vegetables, grains, fruit, hay, eggs, and dairy products for their own use during pioneer days, but very little to sell. Transportation was such that they could not get their produce to a market even if frontier conditions had permitted them to farm on a large scale. Yet, from the first, agriculture was the chief industry. Irrigation was first begun in Eden in 1861 by Richard Ballantyne. He took the water out of Wolf Creek, digging the ditch in the most convenient route. The ditch dug by Ballantyne is still used for Wolf Creek water [1944]. Other farmers joined in constructing two main canals, one running in a southerly direction from Wilmer Ferrin’s place and the other east from there, passing by Bachman’s. In laying out these ditches, the people used a level made of boards. Lon Pritchett and Josiah M. Ferrin played an important part in the planning and construction of this irrigation system. As more people began farming, the Wolf Creek water proved insufficient; therefore, in 1867, the people of Eden had David Jenkins survey a canal from the North Fork of the Ogden River. It required several years to build the canal but when completed, it gave the people an adequate supply of water. Those who owned this water organized the Eden Irrigation Company with Francis Clarke acting as secretary and treasurer. This company controls the irrigation water of Eden. In 1889 an artesian well, the first in the valley, was drilled on the premises of James Ririe to a depth of 84 feet. It flowed forty gallons of water per minute. Since that time, Ogden Valley has become famous for its splendid artesian wells. Sawmills played an important part in the early development of Eden. Timber abounded plentifully in most of the canyons. The mills were located near good stands of timber where there was adequate water supply to run the saws. As the timber became exhausted, the mills were moved to new sites. The first sawmill built in Ogden Valley stood just south of the present site of William Chambers’ house. It was erected in 1862 by Samuel and Josiah Ferrin. Later they moved Church and School For a number of years, Eden was under the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Huntsville Ward. During this period, Richard Ballantyne was the most prominent church and community leader. He conducted many of the church meetings, presided at other public functions, and served as justice of peace. Before moving to Eden in 1859, Mr. Ballantyne had had much wonderful experience. He was the originator of the Sunday Schools of the Church, organizing the first one on December 9, 1849 at Salt Lake City. Later, he traveled around the world when he fulfilled a mission in India. Previous to settling in Eden, he engaged in merchandising in Ogden. Then he purchased a farm in Eden where he raised several crops. Later, however, after six successive years of crop failures caused by grasshoppers, Richard Ballantyne moved back in 1877 to Ogden and purchased a newspaper called “The Ogden Junction.” The same year that Ballantyne moved back to Ogden, the Eden Ward was established with Josiah M. Ferrin as bishop. Up to this time, the people had been holding meetings in private homes. Now the first schoolhouse was built. It also served as a meeting place for the church. Bishop Ferrin’s successors were the following: John Farrell, 1881-1883; David McKay, 1883-1885; Henry J. Fuller, 1895-1905, serving beyond the end of the century. The first school in Eden was taught by Johanna Teeples in 1866. The following year, the Eden School District was organized. The school was supported entirely by tuition, which amounted to five cents per day for each student. Richard Ballantyne was the person primarily responsible for the establishment of the school and school district. John Farrell was one of the first trustees. The log schoolhouse, which had the peculiar distinction of a shingled roof, served as the first room for the children to meet in. It was replaced by a frame building, which in 1884, was sold to the people of Liberty and was immediately moved to the new site. Another frame building was erected on the old site at Eden. It cost $1,004.50. Its dimensions were 26 by 40 feet, and its seating capacity was seventy-eight. Following is list of the teachers who taught in the Eden school up to 1887: Johanna C. Teeples, Edmund Burke Fuller, Richard Ballantyne, Myron Butler, Francis Clarke, Ether E. McBride, Joseph Grover, William Halls, John Williams, R. A. Ballantyne, Maggie McBride, Delecta Ballantyne, Mr. Witten, Mary E. Ballantyne, Josie Ballantyne, Alice Porter, Z. Ballantyne, Mark Hall, Lola Durfee, Edward H. Anderson, Hulda L. Worden, Lizzie Fellows, James A. Thompson, A. T. Waldram, George H. Carver, Irvin T. Alvord, W. W. McDonald, Naomi Fiefield, and B. C. Jackson. From The Past . . . Shown above from left to right are Wes, John, and Judie (George) Fuller. Photo courtesy of Carol Piltcher of Eden. The Fuller house is located east of the Hearthside in Eden. 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 are willing to share. • Skid Loader Work • Grading • Sprinkler Installation • Walking Trails • Concrete Prep & Tear out • Rock Belgard Patios & Steps • Lawns ~ Gardens • Xeriscaping Yards & Strips • Final Grades • BMX & Mountain Bike Tracks Call 801-644-8845 for free estimate. Easy Living Construction, licensed and insured. Wednesday Night Saturday Night Sunday Morning First Friday 5:30 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 9:00 a.m. 8:30 a m. Fr. Joshua Marie Santos 801-399-5627 FrJoshuaS.Stambrose@gmail.com Saturday 5:30 p.m Sunday 8:00 a.m. or by appt. 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! 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