Histories of George and Ann Jarvis
Life story By Mabel Jarvis, his daughter
Religious Life of Brigham Jarvis. Sr., By Zora Smith Jarvis
Farming, By Zora Smith Jarvis
The Old Virgin Ditch, a humerous poem By Mabel Jarvis
Sketches From The Life of Brigham Jarvis, Sr.
1850- 1933
Commander, Camp George A. Smith, No 20. U. I. W. V.
By Mabel Jarvis, his daughter
Brigham Jarvis, Sr., was born in Stepney1, London, England,
the twentieth of October 1850, the third child of George and Ann Prior
Jarvis2. Brigham's father was an English Jack Tar, and
Brigham learned a love of the sea and a sailor's love of action from
him. He mourned greatly when his father left on voyages to China or
Australia, because he could not go with him.
1857
Age 6
The family lived in London till the spring of 1857, and then immigrated to America with 800 Mormon converts. They sailed in the Good Ship George Washington, were 21 days on the sea, and finally landed in Boston Harbor, arriving just at the time of the panic of '57 and the move west of Johnston's Army. Brigham clearly remembered the hardships and disturbances incident to those events.
The next three years were spent in Boston and vicinity where he attended his first school and, as part of the school work, made his first garden plot. The school was under a form of military discipline, and this left its impression on his entire life.
1860
Age 9
The family left Boston for Utah in 1860. They traveled by train to Missouri, where they took a flatboat up the Missouri and Mississippi rivers to Council Bluffs. There they made camp and waited for the needed forty-five wagons to be made for the emigrants who were there. With his brother George, he assisted his father in making tents and wagon covers for the company. His father's seamanship and the fact he had his sailor needles with him gave him this job. From Council Bluffs they walked the entire distance across the plains except for the crossing of the Platte and Green rivers. They arrived in Salt Lake City, August 4, 1860, full of experiences from the prairie, herds of buffalo, desert storms, and contacts with friendly and unfriendly Indians.
Historical Note: (Brigham often told the following story of one experience on the plains.) Just before they left Boston for the trek west, Brigham had purchased a new pair of boots for the trip. They had come some distance from Council Bluffs and were among unfriendly indians. It was hot and sticky and he and a friend wanted to go down to the river to cool off, but his mother said no, they needed to stay close because of the Indian danger. However, he and his friend decided to go anyway. What could it hurt? Once by the river, they took off their shoes and left them on the bank and splashed along the bank totally losing track of time. Suddenly, they looked out across the prairie and saw the wagon train quite a way ahead. They suddenly felt the fear of being alone and didn't dare backtrack to get their shoes. They took off on a run to catch up to the wagon train. Needless to say, there was no way they could replace his lost shoes so he walked all the way barefoot. It was a very sobering lesson to him about minding his mother.
In Salt Lake City, Brigham attended the mixed school for a few weeks, working for his board. The family then moved to Sugar House Ward, where he fired the furnace in the Daniel H. Wells Nail Factory, where the [iron] tires from the Johnston Army wagons were made into nails. He left this work gladly when his father rented a small piece of land and gave him the job of caring for it. Here he made his first irrigation ditch and raised cucumbers, melons, corn, potatoes, and sugar cane to assist with the family provisions.
1861
Age 11
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In the fall of 1861, the family was called with others to move south to the Dixie Mission, where cotton raising was to be the project. Here they had their experiences in growing, picking, and hand-ginning cotton. The family arrived with the first large company at the Old Camp, December 5, 1861, and when the first school opened in the spacious tent of one of the pioneers, A. A. Calkin, Brigham was enrolled in school again. In this tent he also enjoyed, with others, the first Christmas dinner and dance in "Dixie".
Very soon after arriving, the work of laying off the fields began and of making the survey for an irrigating ditch. Brigham was only twelve years old but worked side by side with mature men, making dams, tunnels and canals.
The following spring, when the city lots were drawn, Brigham drove his father's oxen onto the first officially occupied lot in the valley. This was the home of his parents while they lived, and at their death, he bought out the other heirs. He resided there until his passing.
1865
Age 15
At the age of fifteen Brigham was called, with others, when the first military unit was organized for protection against the then marauding Indians. At the request of the officers, he lent his horse and equipment to his older brother, while he remained as a member of the Home Guard. He received regular duty at guarding. On one special occasion he was appointed a special guide (with his elder brother) to convoy a party of emigrants over one of the most dangerous trails to the Muddy Valley.
His interest in farming led him to divert the heavy flood waters of the Rio Virgin over their banks to form a deep soil over sixty acres of river marsh, which he farmed for many years. Above this land he built the Jarvis Dam, historically known in this section. During his experiments and work on this dam, he evolved the idea of spillways. This is the first known use of spillways in irrigation, and for this word and work he will eventually be given full credit. The building of this farm was done after hours of work on the St. George Temple. He also assisted in the construction of the St. George Tabernacle.
1874
Age 24
In the year 1874, he helped locate the first copper mines in the vicinity. These mines have produced much wealth for this section. He was a good contractor in the days of the Silver Reef, and at that time held the record for felling and chopping the most wood per hour and per day among the men. While hauling wood on the Silver Reef contracts, he suffered a severe accident when a heavy load capsized, crushing his right leg. After many months, he recovered full use of the limb. On a later occasion he fell while binding a load of hay. He badly fractured his spine at the base of the neck. This injury was a constant source of suffering as long as he lived.
1877
Age 26
On the eleventh of January 1877, Brigham married Mary Forsyth, daughter of Thomas and Mary Browett Holmes Forsyth of Toquerville, whom he had met on one of her visits to St. George3.
To them were born twelve children, only four of whom survived him: a son, Brigham Jarvis, Jr.; two daughters, Mrs. Asineth J. Cottam and Miss Mabel Jarvis; and another son, Erastus Leon Jarvis of Salt Lake City. He was also survived by 21 grandchildren; a brother, Heber Jarvis, of Mesa, Arizona; three sisters; Mrs. Anne C. Milne of Salt Lake City, Mrs. Margaret Jarvis of St. Johns, Arizona, Mrs. Emmaline Jarvis Cottam and Mrs. Victoria Josephine Miles of St. George, Utah.
1877-96
Age 27-46
In 1877, Brigham was road supervisor, and for many years was supervisor of the Santa Clara Creek. During this time construction and the setting up of the first wiers ever used on that stream took place. In 1912, after heavy floods had taken out the dam that supplied water for his farm in such a way as to make its replacement almost impractical, he devoted his energies to re-checking on a high line diversion canal farther up the river, which would not only supply the lower valleys, but would bring under cultivation more than fifty thousand acres of wonderful fruit land. He was assisted in this for several months by his nephew, U. S. Engineer C. S. Jarvis, now of Washington, D. C. They both lost heavily in time and money when the project and the lands were withdrawn by the Government for soldier homes. He was restricted from diverting his shares of Primary Water Right on the higher points. This has always been a great sorrow to him. However, the project is now being sponsored by a company (at the time Mabel Jarvis wrote this sketch) who purchased the maps and surveys from one of Brigham's associates, a Mr. A. B. Christensen. It is understood Government money is to be used to develop the project. Brigham may not be given the credit, but the fact remains that the first surveys and work on the project were his, and he assembled the information which is now being used.
1896
Age 46
After other attempts failed, Brigham agreed with the board of commissioners of St. George City to deliver the Cottonwood water to the city of St. George over a distance of eighteen miles with a cash outlay not to exceed $2,000. This was to be spent for needed explosives and supplies, the balance of cost to be met with water stock. This was accomplished as per agreement. Brigham, a natural surveyor, was familiar with the geology and structure of the country for a radius of many miles. After his accomplishment, which was completed in September of 1896, he was made a member of the city council for four consecutive terms.
Historical Note: See The Cottonwood Water Story which is recorded separately. For the complete story of bringing water into St. George and the prominent part played by Brigham Jarvis, Sr. see: The Cottonwood Water Story
He began early to accumulate a better grade of dairy stock, and for a number of years owned a herd of 72 fine dairy cattle, many of which received blue ribbons at local county fairs. He also owned some of the finest draft and trotting horses ever known in this section. For years before the use of automobiles, he was called upon to drive Church, Government, and Court officials from the railroad terminus to their destinations and back.
He was appointed chairman of the "Old Folks Entertainments" in the year 1896 and held this position for a period of 29 years.
1898-1931
Age 48-81
For 33 years, from 1898 to 1931, he was captain and custodian of the St. George City flag. He took over this duty from his father George Jarvis, who held the office since the arrival of the first settlers in the year 1861. Many children will long remember him in this capacity.
Brigham was active in ecclesiastical work connected with the Mormon Church to which he belonged at the time of his passing. He held many positions of responsibility and served for 25 years as a member of the Stake High Council. He was a temple worker in the St. George Temple for many years.
Since its organization, he was commander of Camp George A. Smith No. 20 United Indian War Veterans and organizer for the states of Utah and Nevada. Ill health hindered his activities for some time.
1933
Age 82
He passed away at his home at 3:30 p. m., Friday, September 15,1933, following a ten month severe illness. He had a severe attack of diabetes ten years previously. His final illness was a result of diabetes. Hundreds of people attended the services held in his honor in the St. George City Tabernacle for he had endeared himself to both old and young throughout the entire section of Washington County. His wife, always his helper in all of his work, survived him, along with the children, grandchildren and others mentioned. His wife was a marvel of calmness and sweetness at the age of 77, for she knows, at best, the time of separation cannot be long.
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Religious Life of Brigham Jarvis. Sr.
By Zora Smith Jarvis
Our father, Brigham Jarvis, Sr., was a devout convert to the Mormon Church and lived its teachings all his days. He had an abiding testimony that the gospel is the only means of obtaining salvation. He believed in beginning and closing the day with family prayer, and living with a secret prayer in his heart at all times. He repented of any wrong he ever did and sought forgiveness from his Heavenly Father, as well as the one wronged. He would never hold a grudge, even if it took weeks or months of fasting and prayer to wipe out vengeful feelings from his heart. I hope his descendants will read that statement many times and ponder it. In lieu of a story, I'll just make this statement, he always went worthily into holy priesthood prayer circles and meetings.
The family was industrious and every member, who was able, worked. He was a cattleman and at one time owned 72 milk cows. Mother Mary made butter to supply Silver Reef and the mines at that time. He was the owner of many fine horses, a mine, and best of all, he was a farmer.
The bins were habitually running over by the end of harvest time. No one went hungry if Brigham Jarvis, Sr., knew it. When he went to the mill in Washington, he usually had a thousand pounds of wheat ground into flour and put into seamless sacks that held at least 100 pounds of flour.
Sometimes Brigham had a strong prompting or impression to do, or not to do, a certain thing. By obeying that prompting, invariably he would find it was Heavenly Father's way of directing him to serve Him in aiding and comforting some of His needy children. Sometimes Brigham found it a personal warning against unhappy situations or events.
When I married Brigham Jarvis, Jr., and came to St. George to make my home, I became friends with Lottie Rose Smith Carter's family. She and my father, Charles Warren Smith, were cousins. Their fathers, John Lyman Smith and George A. Smith, were brothers.
One day, when I was visiting "Aunt Lottie" as I called her, she looked me over quizzically, a way she had, as if appraising my worthiness to hear her story. Then she began, "When my husband John Carter was on a mission to Great Britain, traveling without purse or script as the Elders called it, I was left with five small children to manage as best I could. One morning I knew I didn't have one single crumb of bread nor a dust of flour in my cupboard. I called my hungry children, and we went into the bedroom. We knelt with our arms around each other while I prayed to our "Father who art in Heaven'" and asked Him to send us food. Twenty minutes later, Brigham Jarvis knocked on the door, then opened it, and eased a 100 pound sack of flour onto the floor, saying, "Sister Carter, I felt impressed that you might be needing flour, so I swung a sack over my shoulder and trotted up with it."
You might ask if I got the other side of the story. Now what do you think? Father Jarvis lived next door and the event was sacred to him too. I heard him bear that testimony.
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Farming
By Zora Smith Jarvis
As soon as the Dixie Pioneers were able, they took up farm land along the Virgin River. Then they sought to get the water from the nearby Virgin River to irrigate the land. A long, heart-breaking, disappointing story could be told of their toil, fatigue, undernourishment, and failure.
George Jarvis and his young son Brigham took a prominent part in that project. I'm including a poem that Mabel Jarvis wrote from an actual experience that took place. It was told, and retold to her by both her father Brigham Jarvis, Sr., and her grandfather, George Jarvis. (See below.)
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Visit With Albert E. Miller
(A record of a visit by Zora Smith Jarvis with Albert E. Miller,
author of "Immortal Pioneers " In April, 1967.)
Albert E. Miller reiterated the fact that Brigham Jarvis, Sr. for many years raised the national flag for all needed occasions, here in St. George. The first place for the flag pole was in front of Dixie College gymnasium. When the college needed it moved, the city of St. George bought a place for it on the northeast corner of the Washington County Library. Another location for the flag pole is on the northeast comer of the Post Office lot.
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Resolutions of Sympathy and Respect for Miss Mabel Jarvis,
County Treasurer, at the Passing of Her Father,
Brigham Jarvis, Sr.,
the Great Pioneer and Builder.
WHEREAS, IN THE PROVIDENCE OF God, He has seen fit to call from our midst that pioneer and builder and stalwart citizen, Brigham Jarvis, Sr., the father of Miss Mabel Jarvis, County Treasurer, and our esteemed and loved fellow officer; and,
WHEREAS, Brigham Jarvis, Sr., by his vision and constructive imagination, saw how the water from the Cottonwood Canyon could be successfully brought to St. George, and under his leadership and that of the city council, a canal was duly constructed, and the water brought to St. George to assist in the irrigation of our lands; and above all to furnish a supply of water for culinary purposes, which had made possible our present city water system; which water we fondly hope, may soon be piped from its source at the foot of Pine Valley Mountain and delivered to our homes in its pure state, thus giving the people of St. George an ideal water system and fulfilling the dreams of Brigham Jarvis, Sr., who longed to live to witness its accomplishment; and,
WHEREAS, Brigham Jarvis, Sr., was one of the first to envision the bringing of the waters of the Rio Virgin from a point below Virgin City through a tunnel and delivering it at a point near Hurricane, from which it could be conveyed to 50,000 acres of land between Hurricane and St. George and south of us; he devoted the best years of his life trying to bring this about, but was hindered as a result of the World War and the withdrawal of the lands in question to form a soldier's reclamation project. It is possible that the very near future may see his dream realized, though had it occurred while he yet lived, it would have been full satisfaction for all his struggles and losses, in trying to bring it about, and,
WHEREAS, Brigham Jarvis, Sr., had always been a willing, energetic and capable public worker, in all lines of endeavor; whether in the city council laboring to improve the city water supply and to make possible the growth and development of the city; or on the Old Folks committee, making glad the hearts of the old and the homebound, and the sick and needy; or as a worker in the ward, always upholding the hands of the bishopric and putting over ward projects, including ward teaching, and visiting the sick and the homebound, and the otherwise afflicted in their homes. His services were always given generously and without stint. NOW, therefore,
Be it Resolved by the Officers of Washington County, Utah:
That in this hour of bereavement and sorrow, we extend to Miss Mabel Jarvis, our esteemed and beloved fellow worker, our heartfelt sympathy and love; and this extends to the bereaved widow, Mary Jarvis, and to the entire family; we feel, however, that the sorrow and grief will be lightened, by the knowledge that he has gone to a rich reward, and by the trust that his bereaved family will meet him again in that better land, where the sufferings of his life will be unknown.
Dated at St. George, Utah this 16th day of September 1933.
Laura A. Gates, Orval Hafen, Ellen Carter, John T. Woodbury, Sr., William
Brooks, Sr., Henry T. Atkin, Morris Wilson, William Lund, Ella J. Seegmiller,
Annie M. Webb, and Charles Bringhurst.
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|
The Old Virgin Ditch My grandfather told me some stories one day 'bout |
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Footnotes
Brigham Young Jarvis' line of ordination to the Melchizedek Priesthood:
1. Brigham Young Jarvis, Sr., was ordained an Elder the first of January 1877 by
2. President Brigham Young, a member of the first original Twelve Apostles in the latter day, who was ordained by
3. The Prophet Joseph Smith, who was ordained by
4. Peter, James and John--1829
Brigham Jarvis, Sr., ordained his eldest son, Brigham Jarvis, Jr., an Elder in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on the fifth of July 1898. -Zora Smith Jarvis (1967)
The preceeding is from the "History of Brigham Young Jarvis" in Ellen
Raye Cottam Brown's book "Biographies and Autobiographies of Heber
Charles and Asineth Jarvis Cottam and Their Ancestors". Used with
permission.
History of Brigham Young Jarvis, as found in Ellen Raye Cottam
Brown's book, beginning on page 95.
Children Links
George Fredrick Jarvis,
Wife Eleanor Cannon Woodbury
Wife Roseinia Sylvester
David Milne, husband of Ann Catherine Jarvis Milne
Brigham Young Jarvis,
Wife Mary Forsyth
Heber Jarvis,
Wife Susan Smith
George Edmund Miles, husband of Josephine Victoria Jarvis Miles