Samuel W. Jarvis, 5th child and 3rd son of George Jarvis
and Ann Prior, was born at Poplar England on outskirts of
London. He first moved into this world 11:00 A.M. Wednesday
April 18, 1855.
His parents heard and accepted the gospel in the year 1850.
That same year on 20th of October a second son was born to
George and Ann who was given the name of Brigham Young, as
it had been revealed before his birth to father George that
they were to have a son and he should be given the name of
Brigham Young, thus Samuel also came to a highly spiritual
home to began his life. While the family was sailing to
Boston, Mass from Liverpool England on their way to Utah
(they had passage on the ship George Washington), Samuel had
his 2nd birthday on ship. During his fifth year, he walked
with his family, all the way from Council Bluffs across the
plains to Salt Lake City. They arrived in Salt Lake City A
ug 4, 1860. They journeyed with the next to last company #9
of the hand cart companies. Part of the time he helped push a
hand-cart in which a newly married bride rode. He also carried
his own assigned portion of the family's belongings in his
little carpet bag; this contained a metal powder flask and
it saved "Sammy" from getting his leg broken, when he fell
under the wheels of the wagon; the flask being twisted in a
manner which proved the Lord was having him watched over.
This seemed to be a forerunner of miracles and the Lord's
protection throughout his lifetime, he had many close shaves
with danger and numerous faith promoting experiences.
When the call was made by Brigham Young for volunteers to go
to Southern Utah (Dixie) in 1861, George Jarvis joined that
group, with his family and was the first man to choose and
settle his family on a city lot in St. George. Thus began a
new series of rugged life-style and stern responsibilities
which the new community demanded of its men of all age groups.
Sam, as he was known, carried a hod up ladders at the age of
15, to help in construction of the St. George Tabernacle and
also aided in construction and painting of the St. George
Temple. His father was acting supervisor of heavy work in
the building of that Temple as well as Engineering the scaffolding
used to build it.
Samuel and his wife Frances Godfrey Defriez were married in
St. George Temple on Dec. 4, 1877, the first year the temple
was used for endowments. (Samuel's brother Brigham and bride
were the 1st couple to be married in St. George Temple.) Not
very long after, Sam was called by Lot Smith and Jesse N.
Smith, (both President of Stakes) to go on a frontier mission
to Apache County, Arizona--Apr 6, 1879. Six years were spent
in North Arizona where he knew some very tense Indians, outlaws,
desperados and horse thieves and rough frontier life. Sam
built homes at Snowflake and Nurioso. Then the invitation
came for him to go to Old Mexico to help colonize during
the raid of saints and early 1885. Just days after arrival
there 4th child and 1st daughter was born may 2, 1885 at Asencion,
near what is now known as Diaz, Chih. Mexico. About
2 years later Sam and family made a return trip to St. George,
journeying across the Colorado river at Lee's Ferry. Their 5th
child, a daughter also, was born May 4, 1987 at St. George.
(She died when about 9 months old). The following year Sam
moved his family back again to Mexico, this time to the mountains
at a little place called Corales (near Pacheco) where they later
also lived for 2 years, after staying for 5 or 6 years in Corales,
Chihuahua., a move was then made to Colonia Juarez and in 1901
President A. W. Ivins gave Sam another call to help colonize in
Sonora State. The year following brought extreme hardship because
of heavy losses of crops and cattle with unusually high floods in
the rivers, there, and men were forced to find employment elsewhere
to survive and always caring fortheir families.
The town of Morelos was established about 22 miles south from the
U.S. border where Douglas Arizona was later built. At Morelos
a 12th child and 5th daughter was born April 7, 1902.
In Oct 1902 Sam marries a second wife (plural marriage) who bore
him seven more fine children, the seventh died soon after birth
at the time the mother, Pearley Dean Taylor Jarvis also died from
an attack of Flu-pneumonia and birth complications
In the summer of 1908 Sam moved both families from Morelos in
Sonora, to Colonia Dublan, in the State of Chihuahua, Mexico.
Still another move, in late spring of 1909, took the families
about 6 miles south of Dublan to the small community of Guadalupe,
where they were making progress with homes, farm acreage and
stock plus a merchandise business. In July 1912 or 13 the
Mexican revolution had developed to the point that the people
were advised to leave their homes and all belongings or risk
loosing their families if they wished to remain there. The saints
being specially advised by President Joseph F. Smith, and all
U.S. citizens advised by President Wilson to leave Mexico and
then come to the United States. All of Sam's family safely crossed
the border, most at El Paso Texas, others at Douglas Arizona
before Sam himself and young son Joseph then about 15 years
old later took a few horses across with them to Arizona.
Some very trying years followed at Benson Arizona. During
all those years in Mexico and between moves, Sam always
kept busy, doing all sorts of construction work, building
roads, bridges, railroad grades; freighting, and farming
and raising cattle, almost every type of hard work. Sam
did much work for large land owners - clearing, tilling
and planting. He was successful on negotiating with the
Mexican authorities and gained their respect. He was widely
and well known for his honesty and integrity. Among many
of the higher type Spanish segments, he was commonly known
as "Don Samuel", a title of special distinction among the
Mexican natives.
Of his children Sam demanded and received, close attention to
his word, and strict, prompt obedience. His discipline was,
at times dealt harshly, but soon afterward he was kind and
forgiving again. He taught more by example, rather than
precept, and for his fine examples in every way, he endeared
himself to all who knew him. He had his employ, at various
times, over a hundred men – mostly common Mexican laborers,
some who left other Railroad grade camps to work for Sam
after hearing of his good reputation and also his fair
treatment of his men. He commanded much respect just being
himself, other recognized his exemplifying qualities and
his influence for good. Those whom he employed understood
and obeyed his directing and almost without exception they
and other associates showed a special kind of love and respect
for him. Sam was a lover of nature and of animals, especially
horses and was a good judge of horseflesh. Sam had a natural
talent for noticing some high valuable silver mines in Mexico,
which the Mexican government has widely confiscated. Sam's
sense of duty and obligations together with a splendid sense
of humor and Irish wit, helped to give him and insight and keen
understanding which served him well in his regular endeavors,
and he could always be relied on in emergencies to make the
right decisions. He was genuinely industrious, with tireless
effort. He had an unusually strong faith in God and retained
his active faith in the principles of the Gospel. His
undaunted courage proved his valor, even though he had very
meager part-time schooling, to a 3rd grade level, he was an
excellent mathematician and was in command of a broad vocabulary
and much book learning.
Sam enjoyed music, rhythm, and social dancing. He would often
dance the Irish jig and or Scotch highland steps to entertain,
either at home or at social gatherings. He liked to tell
humorous jokes and could make shadows on the wall dance,
sword-swallow and do various other fun tricks. It was all
surely wholesome amusement. Sam's many abilities and
adaptations well qualified him for his multiple role as a
most wonderful father, a real Pioneer, organizer-developer,
frontiersman, an outstanding citizen and a real man worthy
of the title or titles bestowed. He lived and worked in
practically every Colony in Northern Mexico, in both states
of Chihuahua and Sonora, with exception of perhaps Oxaca
and Chuichupa. He used to quote a little saying, "Never
plan work on Sunday, but if the Ox is in the mire--pull
it out." He always attended Church and kept the Sabbath
free from any and all undue encumbrances in every way
possible. Sam Jarvis was prayerful and honorable man taught
his family to walk uprightly and to forgive others their
trespasses to do right and to avoid all evil.
Samuel Jarvis had the great gift of healing, and in many
instances the miracle of healing was administered by him
and restored health was received by others. At this writing,
eleven of his children, 3 daughters and 8 sons are still
living (July 18, 1973). Over 100 grand children and numerous
great-grandchildren are also accounted for. Death took Samuel
W. Jarvis February 1922 at Colonia Dublan, Mexico from complex
causes of diabetes at age 67. In the years of life accorded
Sam, he accomplished so much by living wholesome and by
diligent adherence to gospel principals.
The following footnote by daughter Pearl Jarvis Augustus.
Mother loved the Lord and always kept all his commandments
though she suffered persecutions and want, she never complained,
and taught her children forgiveness and to love the lord.
Though He (Father) had much land, several homes and many cattle,
his second family was left without support of any kind, Mothers
family helped some but the oldest son Hyrum Taylor Jarvis went
to work and helped in what way he could through all the years
has been like a father to the younger brothers and sisters, and t
hey have truly kept their mothers teachings.