George William Ogilvie, history

George William Ogilvie, history

GEORGE WILLIAM OGILVIE

1860 – 1917

George William Ogilvie was born Mar. 15, 1860, in Spanish Fork, Utah to George Ogilvie and Eliza Ann Hales Ogilvie. He had a pleasant disposition and loved to sing and yodel. He was 5’7’’ tall, of muscular build, with broad shoulders, jet black hair, and piercing hazel eyes. His heart’s desire was to become a doctor like his father. But his father did not want him to become a doctor because it was difficult to collect for services rendered. He wanted George to operate the family farm. Since George did not like farming, he rented out the land and started hauling freight from Richfield, Utah to Pioche, Nevada with a team and wagon. He loved horses and was proud of his team.

George was nicknamed, “Rob.” His best friend was Robert Wright, who worked with his father in their blacksmith shop. After the death of his friend, George worked in the blacksmith shop. Mr. Wright called George, “Rob.” It is not known whether Mr. Wright got mixed up, or if he called him Rob intentionally, but the name stuck and from then on he was called Rob.

George William met and courted Cosmelia Ellen Farnsworth. She was called “Melia.” They were married on Feb. 12, 1884 in Richfield, Sevier County, Utah where they were living at the time.

Not long after their marriage, George and Melia were among a group called by Pres. John Taylor, of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to colonize St. Johns, Arizona. They loaded all of their belongings into a wagon and on May 1, 1884, they started their journey. George and Melia stopped in St. George and on May 15, 1884 they received their endowments and were sealed in the St. George Temple.

They lived in St. Johns for one year, working hard and enduring many hardships. Their first child, William George, was born there on Feb. 28, 1885. When they received word of the tragic death of Charles Ogilvie, George’s only brother, Melia and George were released from their mission. Traveling by wagon again and with two week old William in their arms, they returned to Richfield.

Six more children were added to the family as the years went by: Grace Amelia, Julia Reina, Edna Eliza, Louise (stillborn), Orin Arthur, Oliver Fay, and DeLora.

George was a kind, loving, but firm father. He expected his children to obey. In the evenings he would often sing and yodel for them. With a rich, beautiful voice, he would sing songs such as “Oh, Mr. McFlaridy”, The Old Oaken Bucket, and many others.

DeLora stated that her father would not go to church, except when his children took part. Whether it was Sunday School, Sacrament Meeting, or a school program, then he was there. George had difficulty in forgiving people who had wronged him. His philosophy was,“If you are not morally straight and not honest, you are nothing.”

George was exceptionally talented in mathematics. He wanted his boys to be educated, but his son William didn’t think the finances would stretch that far. He said to William, “You will paddle upstream all your life it you don’t go on with your education.” That proved to be true. Another son, Orin, became a noted doctor, specializing in pathology.

George and Melia’s youngest son, Fay, died while he was in his teens. He was an obedient son and seemed to possess the qualities of deep spirituality. While playing on a

picket fence when he was a young child, Fay fell and injured himself causing him pain for the rest of his life.

It was not easy for George to support his family. After being cheated out of pay for one trip hauling freight, he quit and found other work. One job was helping to build the Windy Canal through Aurora, Utah. He was the boss over a crew of workmen. It’s interesting to note that George Payne was one of the workmen.

Another of his jobs was cutting down trees in Richfield, taking some for his pay. He sold his trees and they were cut into lumber.

While Melia was Relief Society President of the 3rd Ward, they had a project to store wheat. George would take Melia around with his horse and buggy to gather the wheat. Later, the wheat was sold to the government and sent overseas to help those in need after World War 1.

George William Ogilvie was ill for about a year prior to his death. He died on May 8,1917, in Richfield, Utah. He suffered from complications of diabetes including kidney disease.

Written by Eileen O. Ipson, Granddaughter. She is the daughter of William George Ogilvie