by her own hand

father: John Edward Metcalf, Jr.
mother: Mary Catherine Dahling
born: 12 January 1888, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah
blessed: 22 January 1888 by John Edward Metcalf, Jr.
baptized: 2 June 1897 at Gunnison, Sanpete, Utah by Andrew Olsen
confirmed: 6 June 1897 by Andrew Christensen
married: Walter Adolph Minster 17 Feb 1917 at Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah by John Halverson
endowed: 17 Feb 1955, Salt Lake Temple
sealed to husband: 17 Feb 1955, Salt Lake Temple by Elder W. M. Waddoups
Patriarchal Blessing: 27 Sept 1904 by John B. Maiben

I was born in Salt Lake City on January 12th 1888, a daughter of John Edward and Mary Catherine Dahling Metcalf. I was the oldest of six children--two daughters and four sons. Verne was also born in Salt Lake City on September 22nd 1889. Later on we moved to Manti where Louisa was born on January 13th 1892. After living here a short time we moved to Ephraim. Here Lund was born August 16th 1895. One of our neighbors was Apostle Anthon H. Lund who later became a counselor to President Joseph F. Smith. Lund was named after him.

I attended school here in the first and second grades. We then moved to Gunnison. The first school I attended here was in a small two-room rock school house. The first and second grades met in one room and the third, fourth, and fifth grades in the other. We had a very wonderful teacher--Miss Vio Sorenson. I especially remember the exciting spelling matches and reading contests. I attended Sunday School, Religion class, Primary, and Sacrament Meeting. I was baptized June 2nd 1897 in the mill stream at the edge of town.

On September 19th 1897 Roy was born, and three years later on October 5th 1900 Leo was born.

I have fond recollections of the many good times I enjoyed while living here--the little surprise parties and candy pulls, the hikes and picnics in the hills, picking wild berries and flowers. Then, too, there were the school and primary dances--also children's programs and little operettas that I participated in.

The celebrations on the fourth and twenty fourth of July were really something. The gun salute at sunrise, the band serenade around town followed by a gorgeous parade led by Uncle Sam, the Goddess of Liberty and Miss Utah. Then a program in the old Bowery in the afternoon. There were all kinds of races and contests--sack races, wheel barrow races, pie eating contests, climbing the greased pole, and catching a greased pig. The big day ended with a fireworks display.

On Christmas there was a wonderful program with a Christmas tree and Santa Claus giving out gifts of candy, nuts, and oranges--all very thrilling to a small girl.

How exciting it was when the threshers came with their horse powered machine. It required about eight or ten horses and a dozen men to operate it. Round and round the horses went accompanied by lots of noise, dust, and flying chaff. By evening the job was finished, and there was enough wheat in the granary to last until next harvest. I'm sure mother was happy when the day was over, for she had cooked and served the men breakfast, dinner, and supper.

Every summer a band of Indians camped on the outskirts of town. The squaws, with their papooses strapped on the backs, went from house to house begging. At first I was quite frightened but I soon learned I had nothing to fear. They just wanted food and clothing. Mother always gave them flour, sugar, bread, and out-grown shoes and clothing.

My childhood was a very happy one. Our family life was pleasant and enjoyable. My mother was very understanding but at the same time firm. We were taught obedience and respect for others by love and kindness and example.

Something I really missed out on was grandfathers. Both of them, as well as my paternal grandmother, died before I was born. So my maternal grandmother was precious and very special. She lived but two blocks from our home so we saw her every day. I enjoyed her very much. She was such a dear sweet humble person--so easy to get along with.

I had no cousins on my mother's side. Mother's oldest sister died before I was born when her first baby was born. It died shortly after. Aunt Emma and Uncle Niels died before they were married and while I was still very young. On my father's side, there were many cousins but most of them were older than I, so I didn't get to know them very well. However, I was closely associated with father's brother and his wife (Uncle Anthony and Aunt Lide Metcalf) and their children--especially the two youngest girls, Ina and Jane Ann, who were the same age as my sister and I. We enjoyed many wonderful times together, particularly in the summer when we went swimming in the canal. What fun we had!

In July of 1901 we moved to Manti. At first we rented a lovely two story, seven room home across the street west from the beautiful Temple where the Bureau of Information now stands. About two years later we moved in our own home two blocks west of Main Street--a two story, eight room house with two large walnut trees and giant pine tree in front and an apple orchard in the rear.

I graduated from the eight grade in 1903. There was no high school at this time so next year I attended the eighth grade part time, taking classes in Arithmetic and English. The following year, I did housework in the homes of relatives and friends.

In the Fall of 1905 the Manti High School was founded. I started with this first class, which was a very unique one. It consisted of about sixty-five students ranging in age from fifteen to twenty-five. Work on the High School building had just commenced, so school convened in the annex of the Tabernacle with borrowed chairs and tables serving as desks. Professor D.H. Robison from Pleasant Grove was the Principal and Instructor of all the subjects with the exception of History. This was taught by Edgar T. Reid who was also Principal of the elementary school. They were both very wonderful teachers. They always found time to discuss your problems with you, and gave good counsel and advice. Mr. Reid was also Sunday School Superintendent and chorister of the Tabernacle choir; and later became Bishop of the North Ward. So I was closely associated with him for several years. I received a great deal of inspiration from both of them.

In the spring of 1906 we moved into the new High School building. The following year several new teachers were added to the faculty. Cooking, sewing, and shop-work were added to the course of study. In my sophomore year I won a scholarship which entitled me to free tuition in my junior year. Each year our class became smaller as several of the students quit to go to work or get married. In the spring of 1909, I graduated with this first graduating class--a class of seventeen (five boys and twelve girls).

During High School I was assistant editor of the school paper, secretary of the girls club, vice president of the student body, and vice-president of our graduating class. I certainly did enjoy my high school days--they were among the happiest of my life. Along with the hard work, we found time for recreation. There were the school socials, dances, and plays; the exciting basketball games, tennis matches, and track meets.

After graduation, the Alumni Association was organized and I was elected the secretary. Every year since, the association has held a banquet at the close of school honoring the graduates. May 1959 was the Golden Anniversary of the Pioneer Class, so this class was especially honored at the banquet. Seven members of the class (myself included) were present. It was a very lovely affair. After the banquet we met at the home of Clara Johnson (one of the members) to visit and reminisce.

While I was still in High School, sorrow came into our home. In less than thirteen months, three deaths occurred in our family. I was just recovering from a siege of typhoid fever when on August 31st 1907, my oldest brother Verne was accidentally killed while hauling logs down Mayfield Canyon. The brake broke and he was thrown beneath the wheel and crushed to death. Then on Christmas Morning my grandmother, who was living with us, passed away. And on September 6th 1908, my father died after a short illness of typhoid fever.

As a girl, I had the wonderful privilege of being baptized many times for the dead. After the baptisms were over, we were taken on a tour through the temple. I thought it was the most beautiful place in the world--so serene and peaceful and inspiring. When I was sixteen years of age, I received my patriarchal blessing in the temple by Patriarch John B. Maiben.

Manti was a lovely place to live, especially in the summer. There were so many varied activities to occupy our time. Hikes in the canyon, picnics in the park, roller skating, reading, and doing fancy work. Part of our time was spent in weeding and caring for the garden, and in picking all kinds of berries and fruit on shares. We also cut and sewed carpet rugs which mother wove into rugs and carpeting.

I belonged to the Manti North Ward. I was a teacher in Sunday School and Mutual and later a counselor in Mutual and a member of the choir. I also served on the Sanpete Stake Sunday School board. When we visited the different wards, we travelled by horse and buggy. This took from two to four hours to reach the distant wards.

I attended the University of Utah four summers. Among the outstanding teachers I had were William M. Stewart, Levi Edgar Young, and Howard R. Driggs. While here I enjoyed trips to the canyons, Saltair, Lagoon, and Wandemere which were sponsored by the school.

On August 25th 1911 my sister married Rowland Denison in Manti. It was later solemnized in the Manti Temple on December 17th 1913. After living in Manti for some time, they moved to Gunnison, then Sterling, finally settling in Manti. They had three daughters and five sons--six of whom are living. A daughter and son died while still very young.

After graduation from High School, I taught school for two years in Manti. The new Public Library was opened at this time and I was prevailed upon to be the librarian. After serving in this capacity for about two years, I went to Montpelier, Idaho where I taught for two years. I was also a teacher in Sunday School and Mutual and a member of the ward choir. I enjoyed the time I spent here--the fishing trips and outings to Bear Lake, where we swam in indoor heated pools, the skating and sleighing parties, and the trips to Pocatello to attend teachers' institute.

In the summer of 1915, along with two other teachers, I went on a month's vacation to California. We visited the World's Fair at San Francisco and San Diego. Other cities included were Oakland, Piedmont, Berkeley, Valejo, Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Tijuana Mexico. We swam in the ocean at Long Beach, and sailed to Catalina Island where we went on the glass-bottomed boats to view the ocean life below. There were trips to Chinatown, the alligator and ostrich farms, and many other interesting places. It was a very educational and wonderful trip.

In the Fall of 1915, I went to Wellington, Carbon County to teach. Among the activities I enjoyed here were parties, dancing, skating, coasting, and horse back riding. It was here I met my husband Walter Minster. We were married February 17th 1917 in Salt Lake City and came to Garfield to live.

My brothers Lund and Roy graduated from High School in 1916. when World War I was declared they were sent overseas with the 145th Field Artillery. They were stationed in France for the duration. After being mustered out, they both became school teachers. Roy taught at Snowville and Lund at Park Valley. It was here he met Marie Goodliffe. They were married February 18 1920 in the Manti Temple. They lived first at Bear River and then Brigham City, finally settling in Salt Lake City, where they now reside. He is now retired after serving as teacher and principal in the Granite School District for many years. They have four daughters and one son. Their youngest daughter passed away March 5th 1952--leaving two small daughters. They have twenty-three grandchildren.

Roy married Margaret Jud of Manti September 1st 1920 in the Manti Temple. He has been principal of the Weber High School in Ogden for many years. He is a past president of the U.E.A. They have no children.

We resided in Garfield for thirty-nine years until the town was razed by Kennecott Copper Company. During this time many changes took place in our lives. Our three children were born here--Evelyn on December 18th 1917, Frank on September 3rd 1920, and Floyd on August 25th 1923. They attended Sunday School and Primary from which they all graduated. Frank belonged to the Boy Scouts. Evelyn was secretary of the Sunday School. They all graduated from Junior High School, then attended Cyprus High School in Magna. Frank graduated in the spring of 1939.

We enjoyed many wonderful picnics in the canyons, parks and resorts, including Saltair and Lagoon. Lund's family accompanied us many times on these trips. We also went bathing in Great Salt Lake at Black Rock Beach. But to the children, the trips to Manti were the most full of all. How they did enjoy these visits with their cousins. On one of these occasions, in company with Louisa's family and my mother, we went to beautiful Fish Lake where we enjoyed boat rides and breath-taking scenery and a most gorgeous sunrise on the lake.

I shall always remember the wonderful evenings spent at home. What fun they were--playing games, working puzzles, telling stories, and making candy.

On July 25th 1924 my youngest brother Leo passed away after suffering from tuberculosis for several months. My sister's husband Rowl died December 19th 1934 after a lingering illness of many years. Then on June 13th 1936 my mother died very suddenly after a few days illness from pneumonia.

My husband organized a seven-piece orchestra. He played the drums and Ray played the banjo. It also included a piano, violin, guitars, and saxophone. It was lots of fun although not very lucrative. They played for church, school, and club dances.

On July 6th 1936, Evelyn was married to Ray Bridges in Salt Lake City. Later on August 11th 1952 it was solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple.

During the summer of 1938, they lived in Little Cottonwood Canyon. The mills were shut down at this time, so we spent many days visiting them. This was really a wonderful life, camping among the pines by the side of a cold stream with nothing to do but hike, fish, hunt, and just relax in the peace and quiet of this picturesque retreat away from the heat and noise of the city.

They lived in Garfield until 1956 when they moved to Magna, where they now reside. They have had three sons--two of them died shortly after birth. Their second son, Myron, is now serving a mission in the East Central States. Prior to leaving for his mission he was a Sunday School teacher and was in charge of the music in Mutual. He has served six months in the army and is now in the reserve. He played first violin in the school orchestra, and saxophone in the school band. He has played at many functions and for funerals. He graduated from seminary and from Cyprus High School in 1957. He enjoys hunting, water skiing, bowling, and photography.

Evelyn was twice President of the Primary of the Garfield First Ward and a Relief Society Visiting Teacher. She was also President of the Garfield School P.T.A. At present she is a Sunday School teacher.

Ray was President of the Elders Quorum and a counselor in the Bishopric of the Garfield First Ward. They have both served a mission among the minority groups. Evelyn also served on a Stake Mission. Ray is an electrician for Kennecott. In his spare time, he repairs clocks and watches. He enjoys hunting, fishing, and photography.

Frank married Lorna Lowther of Ogden June 2nd 1941 in Ogden. After living in Garfield and Salt Lake City for a short time, they moved to Ogden where they now reside. They have had two daughters and four sons--Jeanne, Jimmie, Steven, Brent, Marrianne, and Bobbie.

Frank served eighteen months in the navy during World War II. At the time he left, he had two children, and Steven was born a short time later. He was stationed in San Diego, Maine, North Carolina, Florida, and Tennessee. He graduated from radio school in Memphis. He has been very active in his ward. For several years he was scoutmaster--his troop being tops in the district. Later he worked in the district scouting. He has been on the Mutual Stake Board. At present he is a Sunday School teacher, on the genealogical committee, and chairman of the Cub Scouts. He enjoys hunting, fishing, and bowling. He is a salesman of auto parts and is also a very good carpenter.

Lorna has been very active in the church. She was a Relief Society Visiting Teacher, and a teacher, secretary, and President of the Primary. She has also served on the Primary Stake Board.

Their children are all active in the Priesthood and various organizations of the Ward. Before Brent graduated from Primary he was their star softball pitcher. At Weber High School, Jimmie was athletic manager, and Steven was on the wrestling team. They are also on the football team. Jeanne married Daniel Bingham on March 12th 1960 in Malad Idaho. They reside in Ogden.

Floyd also served in the navy during the war for three and one half years. He was stationed at San Diego before going overseas. We visited him here just before he was shipped out. He was sent to Guadalcanal where he served for twenty-two months. Returning to the states, he was stationed at Corpus Christi, Texas until the war ended. These years the boys were in the service were the longest and most difficult and trying days of my life.

On May 12th 1947, Floyd married Norma Reid of Magna at Elko, Nevada. After living in Garfield for a few years, they moved to Kearns where they now reside. They have three daughters and one son--Peggy Lynn, Reid, Deanna, and Cheryl Rae. They all take an active part in the ward and community. Norma has served as chorister and organist in the Sunday School, Mutual, and Primary. Peggy Lynn plays the piano in the school orchestra and in the Junior Sunday School and Mutual. both she and Reid take an active part in scout work. Reid also plays in the Little League baseball. Floyd and Norma both enjoy bowling and golfing. Floyd is a carpenter by trade and a very excellent one.

On August 19th, 1941, my sister married Wilford Domgaard of Manti in Elko Nevada. He died May 7th 1958 after suffering a heart attack. she has twenty-nine grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren. I always enjoy visiting in her home at Manti, for she is such a wonderful sister. She makes one feel so welcome and right at home.

On September 2nd 1945, Walter's mother passed away very suddenly after suffering a heart attack. She had lived near us in Garfield for many years and I had enjoyed this close association very much. She was a dear fine woman and a very wonderful mother-in-law.

During the years I was raising my children, I participated very little in the activities of the ward. I realize now that I missed a great deal, especially in Relief Society work. On the other hand I had plenty of time to really enjoy my family. Later on I became active in Sunday School and Relief Society. I became a Relief Society Visiting Teacher and the Magazine Representative. Then I was appointed the Welfare Counselor, which position I held until we moved from Garfield.

My husband also became active at this time. He commenced going to Priesthood meetings. On October 6th 1953, he was ordained a deacon, a teacher on November 16th, a priest on December 28, and an Elder on January 10th 1955. He was appointed a Ward Teacher and Secretary of the Senior Aaronic Priesthood which positions he held until we left Garfield. He received his Patriarchal Blessing November 24th 1953 from Blanchard H. Dimick, Patriarch of Oquirrh Stake.

On our wedding anniversary (February 17th 1955) we had the glorious privilege of going through the Salt Lake Temple and receiving our endowments and being sealed for time and all eternity. The witnesses were my brother Lund Metcalf and Walter's brother Joseph Hawkins. Evelyn was sealed to us the same night. Thirty-eight relatives and friends accompanied us. It was one of the happiest days of my life.

June 4th 1956, we moved to Kearns. At that time there were but five wards. Now there are fifteen and it is still growing. On October of the same year, the Sixth Ward was organized and we became members of this new ward. The following February I was appointed the first magazine representative of the Relief Society--a position I still hold. I am also a visiting teacher. In June of 1957, along with the officers of the Relief Society, I attended Leadership week at the Brigham Young University.

During the years I have worked in the church, I have given many talks and readings in Sunday School, Relief Society, Sacrament Meetings and Stake Conferences.

My hobbies have been sewing, embroidering, crocheting, painting, reading, and genealogy.

When he was younger, Walter enjoyed hunting, fishing, bowling, and pitching horse-shoes. He retired November 1st 1958 after forty-one years service as a blacksmith with Kennecott.

Among my fond memories are the family gatherings on Christmas, Thanksgiving and birthdays, and the family reunions once a year. Then there were the wonderful trips at four o'clock in the morning to beautiful Lake Mirror. When Floyd was taking flying lessons we enjoyed a thrilling ride from Garfield to Boise and back in a small four-passenger plane--very enjoyable and exciting.

During my lifetime, countless marvelous things have transpired. When I was a girl we had none of the many luxuries we enjoy today which we take for granted and consider them necessities. There were no movies, radios or television, no automobiles or airplanes, no telephones, refrigerators, or electric lights. We read and sewed by the light of a coal-oil lamp. Our homes were without bathrooms or running water. We drew our water from a well or stream that ran by the place. We did our laundry on a wash board. Our first washer was turned by hand.

But we did have wall-to-wall carpeting--beautiful rag carpeting woven by my mother on a hand loom. the padding consisted of nice, clean straw. Every spring the carpet was taken up and beaten thoroughly until all the dust was removed. The old straw was swept up and replaced by new. Spring cleaning was really a major operation! Our mattresses were ticking filled with straw. In place of springs, slats of wood were used on which the straw mattress was placed. Then a mattress of feathers was laid on top of this. Real warm on cold winter nights.

We certainly are living in a very remarkable and marvelous age, although a very difficult and uncertain one.

I feel that I have been greatly blessed during my life. I am indeed grateful for the good grandparents and parents that I had and that they joined the church in foreign lands and came to Utah so that I was privileged to be born and reared in the church.

I am also grateful for my fine family--my husband, my daughter and her husband, my two sons and their wives, and my eleven lovely grandchildren, and recently a great grandson; for the joy and happiness and love they have brought into my life. I hope and pray that we may all be able to endure and remain steadfast to the end.