Clarence Olsen Life's Story
Written by Clarence Olsen

March 27, 1931
A brief account of my history and that of my parents and grandparents.

My grandfather, Seren Olsen, was born November 25' 1791 at Binslew or Binsleu Hjorring Co. Loister, Denmark, and as a young man served as a soldier under Napoleon Bonnipart, and fought in the Battle of Waterloo. He was married twice and my grandmother was his second wife, her name was Bertha Jorgensen and she was born May 8, 1821 at Greve, Denmark. They came to Utah September 27, 1853 on board the ship Forest Monarch in Peter A. Fargren's Company, were married at St. Louis early in 1853, lived for a time at Manti, afterward moving to Southern Utah, Rockville, I think. Grandfather died and was buried at Rockville October 2, 1872. Grandmother died and was buried at Price November 23, 1890. We lived in Price, Utah until May 1898 when we came to Canada locating at Aetna, Alberta, after spending few months in Cardston. Grandfather had three sons: Peter Isaac, Seren, (Seren had a twin, Joseph, who died at birth), Erastus who was my father and was named after Erastus Snow, who as a missionary brought the gospel message to my grandparents.

My father was born April 1, 1863, at Manti, Utah. He married my mother Sarah Marchant Cox in 1889 and I was born December 21, 1889. My grandfather Cox (Samuel) was born February 7, 1837 at West Cransmore Sommersetshire, England. He was married before, my grandmother was his second wife, she was born November 17, 1833 at Shepton Mallet Sommersetshire, England. They joined the church in England and came to Utah in 1871. They lived at Cedar City, and St. George, and were called to assist in settling the San Juan County, where they had some trouble with Indians and suffered many hardships and disappointments. They moved to Price, Utah, I think, about the same time my father did. Grandfather Cox was a carpenter and painter, but always had a little farm as well. He played the violin, after he was 80 years old, made a violin and played it in ward conference at the request of President Wood. He assisted in building the St. George Temple and was always interested in temple work, was very faithful and energetic, and left his mark in every ward where he lived. He was also interested in music and lead choirs in Price, Utah, Aetna and Beazer, Alberta, that I remember. Grandmother Cox was Sarah Jane daughter of George Gane and Jane Marchant. My mother was their only child and born June 12, 1871 in London, England, was only six weeks old when they came to America. Grandmother was a wonderful little woman, she did a great deal of nursing, no night was too dark and cold, and no road too rough. She was away from home a great deal in the days when there were few doctors, she was loved by all. They came to Alberta wish my parents and Grandmother died January 16, 1915 at Beazer, and Grandfather afterward married to Marta Ruda, a Swedish woman, he died May 17, 1926 and they are both buried at Beazer.

I came with my parents to Canada and was baptized in Lees Creek at Cardston July 3, 1898 by William Duce. I received most of the little schooling I received at Aetna and it was there I was ordained a Deacon under the hands of Bishop Andrew C. Jensen January 31, 1904. I acted as secretary for the Aetna Sunday School for sometime, then we moved to Beazer in the fall of 1905, and mother died July 25, 1906, she was always a faithful worker and for many years was president of the Y.L.M.I.A. I can remember seeing her nursing the baby, reading her mutual lessons, and knitting a stocking at the same time. She was always busy and seemed to believe in one of my grandmother’s sayings, which was that when she died she would have the satisfaction of knowing she died not rusted out.

My father afterwards married again to Johannah K. Jensen, who had herself been married twice to Winfield Scott and Harry Byrne. They are at present living at Aetna. My parents had ten children, eight boys and two girls. Clarence (myself), Elmer who died as an infant, Clara May, George Gane, Murrel Edwin, Charles Albert and Ray who also died as infants, Myrtle Frances, Melvin Seren, and Carl Emer.

I was never ordained to the office of Teacher, as shortly after coming to Beazer I was ordained to the office of Priest May 13, 1906 by John Lunt, at the age of l8. I rented 80 acres of land from my Grandfather Cox and began farming. I built a log house and barn and was married to Mary Jane Broadhead in the Salt Lake Temple on December 23, 1908. While on our wedding trip we visited Nephi and West Jordon, as well as some friends in Salt Lake City. We 1ived on Grandfather’s place until about 1913 when we moved to Boundary Creek. We then had three children; Elmer, Ervin DeRon, and Verney Lon. We lived there until 1917 when we moved to Creston, B. C. While living at Boundary Creek, L1oyd Fay, and Shirley Lavar were born to us. Becoming tired of the west wind and cold winters, we decided to move, so in the spring of 1917 we went to B. C., I having went over there in February to see the country, we rented a place about one mile east of Creston and I traveled for the Raleigh Medical Co. for a year, then I sold the business and rented a fruit ranch from Dave Scott. We stayed there about three years' but as my brother in-law, Roy Beazer, moved over there and we began taking contracts in the bush, I gave up fruit farming. I bought a little place on Goat River bottom, and made a living by milking a few cows and doing teaming in the bush. I bought a vulcanizing plant from George Earl, and for a few months I worked at vulcanizing but got a chance to drive a truck for the B. C. government, and so there wasn't much made at vulcanizing and traded my outfit.

I was ordained to the office of Elder in the higher priesthood on December 15, 1908 by Joseph Payne at Mountain View, was secretary in M.I.A. for some time before moving to Boundary Creek, after going to Creston. I wrote to the president of the North West States Mission and was instrumental in getting a Sunday School organized there. I was appointed 2nd Counselor, then later when Pres. Iverson came and organized the Branch, I was appointed 2nd Counselor to Pres. R. M. Beazer, which office I held until I left in the spring of 1924. My wife was failing in health and our children were getting older so we decided it would be best to come back to an organized Stake. We had two more children while there, Lois and Ned James. My wife gave birth to a girl which only lived a few hours, then complication set in and on the 6th of September, 1924 my dear wife passed into eternity and was buried on September 8 at Beazer, we had named the baby Phyllis and she lies beside her mother. I have been busy in the ward in some position ever since coming back. I started trying to get a bunch of cattle and sheep and at present have about 50 head of cattle and 130 head of sheep. I have been renting the old home ranch from my brother Murrel. On October 15, 1925 I met and hired Mrs. Elizabeth Ada Smith Creed to come out and cook for the harvest and on October 24 we were married by President Edward J. Wood, we now have two children Clarence Lowell and Mary Greta, a full and complete record of my families will be found in this book. I have been a teacher in one or more of the organizations ever since coming here. Was chairman of the investment committee for several years and am at present chairman of the Old Folks Committee and also of the genealogical Committee, a teacher in the gospel doctrine class in Sunday School, in the Melchezedek Priesthood class, and the mutual, 1st counselor to Bishop R. M. Beazer, and am thankful for the trust which has been placed in me. I think I am most lucky, for I have had two good wives, who have been and are a great help to me.

I have been on three special missions, to Taylorsville, Kimball, Twin Butte, and Aetna. also one short term mission to Billings and Lewiston. Montana in the winter of 1929-30 under Pres. Arthur Welling of the North Central States Mission. during the summer of 1928 my wife and I motored down to Salt Lake City visiting Delta, Spanish Fork, and Price, Utah. In the Spring of 1929 Ervin and I drove to Seattle, Washington and spent three months working and looking around. In July 1930 my wife, Elmer and I drove to Creston, B.C., visiting A. P. Lye and family at Kimberly on the way and while there blessed and named their baby boy.

I am a member of the Wheat Pool, the Southern Alberta Livestock Pool, and the Wool Pool and am president of the U. F. A. in this district. I bought half section off Charley Trelease and the Pile quarter from Smith Bros. in summer of 1930 and moved on to the Trelease place in the spring of 1931.
I had all my teeth out in August 1936. Was appointed to labor as a missionary in the Stake in October 1936, set apart November 3, 1936 by J. S. Smith. The past summer has been very dry and we have very little feed, so had to sell most of our cattle. I sold cows for as low as $6.00 a head.

I was called to Aetna as special missionary in February 1932, and again in Feb. 1934. I thought the Stake president was making a mistake sending me to the same place so many times, but was thankful afterward, as I could see there was a purpose in it. I made the acquaintance of Dr. Walter Geering and family of Fishburn, this past summer, and do appreciate their friendship, as they are the very finest of people. Ervin has been called on a mission to Eastern Canada and will be leaving about November 28, I expect. I am pleased to have him go and I trust I may be prospered financially so I can help keep him while there. Vern went to the B. Y. U. last year, and wanted to go back this year but times are so hard he hasn't been able to go.

Lloyd was married to Edith Mary Walkey, on October 22, 1936, she is the daughter of Henry H. and Lavon Leavitt Walkey, and is a fine girl, I believe she will make him a good wife. January 1, 1940 all the boys of my first family except Ned are married. They are married to lovely girls and I believe all are going to be happy.

I left the ranch in July l940 and went to carpentering on the airport at MacLeod and was transferred to Calgary to work on Ammonia plant in September. I left Bennet & White in October and went to work on my own in November. I bought a bungalow, 210-29th Ave. N.W. in Calgary for $1400.00 and moved the family there. I have enjoyed my work and especially my ward activities, took part in some dramatics and one operetta. Was set apart to go on a special mission to Rosemary Ward Feb. 1941 with Steve Sallenbach, had a wonderful time there, was appointed ward teacher, assistant teacher of Senior Gospel Doctrine class, and also called as a member of the choir.

I haven't been very successful in business, John Cremel with whom I worked from Jan. 1st until about May 1st went away still owing me $50.00 and as my health hasn’t been so good lately and my wife thinks we would do better to get back to the land, I have decided to sell out though I don't like leaving as I sure like the Calgary ward.

We sold our home in Calgary and returned to the ranch in November, 1941 spent our time on the ranch until December 16, 1942, when I was taken to the Cardston hospital suffering from a severe attack of heart trouble, it having been my heart that has been troubling for several years and I didn't know it. The specia1ist I went to see in Calgary gave me no hope of ever getting well, and gave me not more than about a year to live, but in January l943 Patriarch John F. Anderson came to see me and said he would like to give both my wife and I a blessing. He gave each of us a wonderful blessing. He told me that the Lord had forgiven me my sins, and that through the exercise of faith I should be healed. He told my wife she would live as long as she wanted to. We are living here in Cardston renting a room from Hattie Williams, as I dare not get too far from a doctor.

I was appointed as assistant worker in the temple about April 6, l943, by President Wood. I enjoy taking part very much and I am feeling better physically and have been getting my temple records in shape and all sealings done as far as possible. On the 5th of December 1943 was a red letter day in my life, I was ordained a regular temple worker, by Pres. Wood, and the other temple workers present, Counselor J. Y. Card being mouth in the ordination, it has made me very happy and I have endeavored to be present at every session, as I get a great deal of joy out of taking the different parts which I have been asked to take. I want to prepare myself so that I can take any part, as I may be needed. Shirley and Ned are both in the Airforce and are doing fine, they were home for Christmas and went through the temple.

In the fall of 1943 I was appointed as one of the three supervisors of ward teachers in the Cardston first ward. Up to date I think I have been on seven missions besides being a stake missionary, and a temple guide. My wife and I were both appointed temple guides in 1943. In 1944 I was appointed assistant supervisor in the church service department of the Melchizedek Priesthood committee of the stake. October 1, 1945, was appointed assistant teacher of our High Priests group. November 11, 1945 was sustained as 2nd counselor to Brother Henry Tanner in the Stake Genealogical Committee. In July 1945 I bought from Shirl the land east of his house, and in the spring of 1946 bought his home, so I now own lots 588 Block 12. On Dec. 5, 1943 I was ordained a temple officiator, by J. Y. Card after division of ward was appointed teacher of senior Gospel Doctrine class July 1946.
We moved in to the place bought from Shirl in May 1946 and began remodeling and improving. I went in to the hospital the last week in May 1946 and was operated on for a rupture, was there twelve days, Drs. Dobray & Tomphkins operating.

In the spring of 1945 Seth Nelson asked me to be his travelling companion on the High Council appointments, and I have been with him regular ever since (Nov. 1,1947) and have enjoyed it very much, and learned to love him, he is one of the finest men I know. In the spring of 1947 I was appointed a member of the Ward Welfare Committee. I built my garage and workshop in Oct. 1946 and am now doing cabinet work and upholstering for Floyd's Furniture. I was appointed to lead the singing in the temple in 1946. Lowell left for a mission to England about Jan. 1, 1946.

About Jan. 1, 1951, I bought a lot north of Dave Petersons from George Workman for 6150.00 ar.d later sold that lot for $200.00. In the spring of 1950 I bought two cows from Deloy Leavitt and one heifer from Cleon Wright for $75.00 each. In the fall of 1950 I bought a yearling heifer from Shirl for $100.00, and in Dec. of 1951 I bought two cows and a heifer calf for $600.00.

Lowell came home in March 1949 and married Joyce Tiffen in August 1951. Beth and I went on a trip in Aug. 1953, visited Yellowstone, Bryce Canyon, Zions, St. George and all the children and a number of other relatives. We had a wonderful time for a month, came home and Beth went back to her work in the temple as seamstress, and on September 27, while pressing some drapes, she collapsed with a cerebral hemorrhage, and after 13 days she passed away at about 1:45 A.M. on October 7, 1953, and was buried in Beazer on Oct. 10. She was a wonderful wife and mother to my children. I do miss her so much.

December 18, 1953 Lloyd took me to Calgary. Ervin & Edith went along. I was operated on for prostate gland Dec. 19 by Dr. Leo D. Spackman, the operation was successful but they got me up too soon and I got a clot in my leg, which gave me a lot of trouble. Lloyd and Edith with Elmer came and brought me to Lloyd’s on Dec. 31, I visited with them and Ervin and Lowell over New Years, then came home on January 4, 1954.
Ruby May and I began going out together and after a short time, fell in love, and were married March 31, 1954. We went on a honeymoon trip to Grand Coulee Dam and back. Then later that summer we went on a long trip over to Portland, visited with Murrel and family, went or down the coast to San Francisco through Bakersfield to Las Vegas, Hoover Dam, St. George, Zions and Bryce Canyons, and stopped at Greta's for a few days then on home. We called and visited with Lois on the way. After five years we are more in love than ever, we are very happy in our association, and the way our families have welcomed our union has made us very happy. Last winter (1957-58) we spent in Mesa, Arizona with Shirl and family and did enjoy it.

 

From the life of CLARENCE OLSEN

On New Year's Eve, 1942, while several of the family were visiting at the Old Ranch for the Christmas holiday, Clarence Olsen (Pa) suffered a severe heart attack and very nearly lost his life. Ervin and Ma rushed him eighteen miles to the Cardston Hospital, arriving barely in time. Pa later said that he had lost all sensation in his arms and legs and that his face felt as if his lips were puffed out well beyond their normal size; Pa had been warned of the possibility of a heart attack. Only three weeks earlier a Calgary doctor diagnosed Angina Pectoris and told Pa he could expect to live from two months to two years. Pa told us later that "I looked the doctor straight in the eye and said, 'I am going to outlive you'."

As soon as he was able to leave the hospital, Pa and Ma moved into a room in Hattie Williams' house in south-west Cardston. Hattie later married Ma's second son, Sid Creed. Pa was confined to bed and for weeks his life hung in the balance.

One very cold and stormy afternoon before winter had ended, Patriarch John F. Anderson, who lived north-east of the temple, put on his coat and hat and started out the door. When his wife questioned his purpose in venturing out in such weather he replied, "I - I think I will visit Clarence Olsen."

For a man of advancing years, neither the weather nor the route was easy to take but Brother Anderson came to Pa's bedside and visited with him through the afternoon. Even as dusk was approaching he seemed reluctant to leave. Finally he said, "Clarence, I feel I should give you a blessing." He blessed Pa that he would live to House of the Lord, and left. From that moment Pa's strength began to return. His condition gradually improved until he was able to begin attending the temple regularly and he was soon there-after called to be a temple worker.
Co-incidental with Pa's recovery, another tragedy struck the family. Melvin, Pa's younger brother, fell down a short flight of stairs and was killed, leaving his wife and a young family.

Pa was never one to question Divine Will but this time he couldn't help wondering at the justice of taking a younger man with a young family, physically fit and with an unlimited future and leaving himself, older, severly handicapped and with most of his family responsibilities completed. Spending so much time in the temple allowed Pa to feel closer to the Lord and he sought to know why this apparent injustice would be permitted.

One beautiful summer afternoon, while walking the few blocks from the temple to his home overlooking Lee's Creek, Pa was lost in thought as he again wrestled with the problem of understanding why Melvin should be taken instead of himself. Into his mind came a picture of a conference room containing a large table about which sat a group of men in earnest deliberation. He did not note how many men were there but later felt there could have been twelve.

Accompanying the picture came a message; not in audible words but as clearly as though he were hearing it.
"This is the council that makes decisions on calls beyond the veil. Originally the call was intended for you but a change has been made. You have been given a new assignment and the call intended for you has been given to your brother."

Pa felt the sweet feeling of peaceful reassurance that, in this instance at least, Divine Will was being followed and that the events involved, distressing and painful as they were, were serving the Kingdom in al1 important and necessary way.

 

 

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