Life of Ephraim "Port" Pectol by Golda Pectol Busk

Life of Ephraim "Port" Pectol by Golda Pectol Busk

Briefs In the Life of Ephraim P. Pectol

September 1983 Written and submitted

by Golda Pectol Busk, Daughter

May 16th, 1875, in the little town of Glenwood, Sevier County, Utah, was born to George Peter Pectol and Annian Conradina Peterson Pectol, a son weighing nearly three pounds. To further show how large he was, they put him in a quart cup and placed a lid on it. They must have taken the lid off because he lived. Then to test his strength, named him Ephraim Portman Pectol, but thereafter was called "Port" for short, which removed some of the weight. Since the above has grown up and I have become acquainted with him, the story will be told in my own words.

My early ambition was to get an education and to teach school which was partially realized, as I started to teach at the age of eighteen. The school year of 1892-3, I attended the B.Y.A. (now B.Y.U.) at Provo, Utah. The nine months schooling including board, rent and tuition, cost me the enormous sum of $98.15. This also included a $1.65 dress pattern for my mother. 1893-4 I attended the Snow College at Ephraim, Utah. My brother Fredrick C. Pectol, William Carrell, John W. Carrell, James Woolman and myself rented a room, boarding ourselves.

James Woolman would often fall asleep while studying. I found by touching a certain place on his wrist, he would answer my questions. By this we learned his courting secrets. He went through introduction to a girl for a dance, but when asked to dance, would only shake his legs in a brisk manner.

In the spring of 1879, my father moved to Grassvalley, north of the present town of Antimony. The place was named Clover Flat. (Now Angle). Nine years later, we moved to Caineville, Utah. I became the official cow herder for several years. While driving the cows past a farm house late one afternoon, I saw two girls turning somersaults on a straw shed. Riding over, I found their names to be Dorothy Delilah Hickman and Romania Carrell, ages about ten years. They were in the age class just younger than me, so gave them but little attention. Dorothy had come with her parents Deseret N. and Dorothy Ann Hickman on a visit. A few years later, they again returned. I met them on the Blue Dugway as they came into town. Dorothy was no longer a pug nose kid. She had grown up and been promoted to my class age. As I sat on my horse, looking into her eyes, I knew that someday she would be my wife.

June 21st 1899, we were married in the Manti Temple, by President McCallister. Six children resulted from this union: Florence, born July 11, 1900, Married Junius G. Covington; children, three girls, six boys, one dead; Leona, born May 27th 1903, married Claude M. Holt, children two girls, three boys; Elenor, born Oct 21st 1904, died age ten; Fontella, born March 15th 1906, married Loren Bean Webster, children one girl, three boys, two dead; Golda, born Sept 2nd 1912 married Stiner H. Busk, children three girls, two boys; Devona, born Aug 25th 1913, marred Maynard Hancock, children two boys, three girls; Ephraim, 7th child of family was adopted. His mother two boys, two girls. To add to the above, we have seven great grandchildren. Note: this had increased in number since this writing.

I was reared on a farm. If my father were alive, he could tell you that I never was afraid of work. I could lie right down by the side of it and go to sleep. For herding cows I received 3 cents per head a day. Some days I had 40 head. Pulling cows out of the quicksand was a daily occurrence. My pay was most always in produce of some sort, had corn, molasses, etc. One year I sold my summers wages for a range mare. She had a colt. Both disappeared.

I taught school in Grover, Caineville, Hanksville, Bicknell and Torrey between 1893 and 1912. I spent eighteen months in New Zealand where I went on a mission in 1907 to 1909. Was President of the Wairapareka District the last six months of my stay. I also taught school the most part of those eighteen months.

I was Wayne County School Superintendent two years, 1905-6, and County Water Commissioner 1904-06. Wayne County Commissioner 1911 to 1915 and again 1929 to 1933. Was elected to the State Legislature 1932 and held that position until 1940. Was ordained Bishop of the Torrey Ward, August 13, 1911, holding this position until August 1927. Also then no Bishop could be found, I was appointed Presiding Elder over the Ward and privileged to complete the Chapel I had so ardently begun before being released from Marvin O. Ashton, Dec. 13, 1940. Beautification was completed in 1941. Ward members generously assisted in its completion and beautification.

It has been my privilege to participate in most civic affairs of Wayne County. Was President of the "Booster's Club of Torrey, President of County Commercial Club 1928-31; was President of the Wayne Wonderland Association of Sevier, Sanpete and Wayne Counties 1925-26; president of Wayne County Independent Telephone Company for six years, and our Commercial Club's Delegate to the Civic Clubs of Southern Utah for many years. Was secretary-treasurer of the Federal Land Bank Association of Wayne County and later was appointed by Judge Tilman D. Johnson as Conciliator Commissioner for the Association. Was active to bring about the Capitol Reed National Monument, oiled roads and other improvements. Have contributed many articles to various publications, and written some poetry. My hobby is Archaeology and photography.

My home office is still in Torrey, where my wife and I owned and managed the Wayne Umpire Mercantile Business from 1910-43. I am still a member of the Wayne Stake High Council to which position I was placed after being released from the Bishopric. I am still the Utah Member of the National River and Harbors, Washington D.C.

My father, Ephraim Portman Pectol, answered to the name of "Bishop Pectol" to most everyone who knew him. I don't know how old I was before I became aware of the fact that "Bishop" was not his real name. He was a quiet, gentle, but firm person; an optimist with a love a concern for everyone he knew. We were privileged to be taught and guided by parents who from early youth were very active and devout members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. These teachings have been an influence upon our lives and we owe them a depth of gratitude for the spiritual as well as temporal ideals they instilled in our lives.

My father says that his first schooling was under the hand of his father who was a school teacher, the first school teacher in Glenwood, Utah. My father’s first school was a small log dwelling in Clover Flat, Grass Valley. Here many lasting "impressions" were made which shaped his future life. Seriously, he states that the teachings of his noble parents especially those ecclesiastically were impressed upon him. He adds that his life might have been different, for even in the lonely areas they lived, there were those who gave wrong impressions which later in life battle for supremacy.

Life in the remote area of Caineville, Wayne County, Utah was not easy and many hardships were encountered as well as many happy memories. When the Big Flood came in 1910 scattering the residents of this community, my parents settled temporarily in Grover, Utah, moving to Torrey that same year.

My grandparents, sensing the need for better schooling during the primary years of my father’s education, decided he should be given better opportunities so they let him spent two years in school at Glenwood. He lived with his grandparents, Jens K. and Helena Petermen.

My "Bishop" has been very modest in writing of the many accomplishments in his life. He was a contributor to poetry leaving many beautiful thoughts to his family and friends through this talent. Many articles have been published in various publications, the Era, The Messenger, and he was correspondent for the Deseret News for many years which gave him the opportunity to write of his "Wonderland". He loved and knew music, and saw to it that music was part of our lives.

One of the many interests in his life was a collection of Indian Relics which he displayed in the upstairs of his store in Torrey. This museum became very well known, and consisted of rare and valuable items of his own along with items which belonged to other people. Many days were spent traveling with the collection and lecturing to various groups of people. He was very knowledgeable on early Indian culture. Through these lectures several people became interested in the LDS Church and were baptized because of his special presentation.

To him this collection held a very special meaning and his family as well as many hundreds who heard him talk about it felt a closeness to our Heavenly Father, for to my father, they were a reminder of people many years ago who came to this American Continent from across the seas building a culture that was eventually destroyed and whose sacred records were revealed to Joseph Smith. He and Mother enjoyed many hours and days hunting Indian Relics and were thrilled with every discovery that was made. After his death some of the items were displayed in the LDS Church Museum on Temple Square. After mother's death, the Government put its claim on them and the collection was moved to Government quarters. Most of it is stored in the Visitors Center at Fruita, Utah, Capitol Reef National Park, some of it displayed there, but many items have been completely lost to our knowledge.

In addition to civic organizations he mentions, he was also a charter member of the Wayne County Lions Club. All of his civic activities were centered on promotion and progress for Wayne County and its development. He brought before the attention of tourists and beauties of Wayne Wonderland and it WAS through his efforts in the State Legislature that President Franklin D. Roosevelt proclaimed Capitol Reef a National Monument. He is known as the "Father of Wayne Wonderland".

His politics was Democrat, and while serving as a public servant for Wayne County he was very much aware of the needs of its people and he dedicated his time to the welfare of the county and its people whom he loved and respected. Retiring from business in 1944 he continued to spend his time on various promotional projects for Wayne County. One project very important to him was better roads to and from that area. Some were realized before his death while others have been made into beautiful highways.

My mother, Dorothy Delilah Hickman, was a daughter of Deseret Narrient Hickmen and Dorothy Ann Carrell, born in Bingham Canyon, Utah 31 March 1880. My father contributes much of his success to her his "noble wife" who was a dedicated help mate and home maker. Her wise council was lovingly appreciated and gave him strength and purpose in his endeavors. She was left with four little girls while he served his mission. Her's was not an easy roll to fulfill at this time. Little Elenor had a heart problem and was a constant care, but the faith she possessed saw her through this trying time. Her ingenuity saw her through many financial hardships, but there was always enough to take care of her little family and send money to her husband. She kept busy with her own affairs, helped those less fortunate, spearheaded holiday programs, taught MIA, Sunday School and Elementary school along with raising gardens, overseeing their small farm; she served as postmistress in her home and worked hard trying to keep those four little girls in white starched dressed. All this she did under pioneer conditions which was surely a test for her. It was a happy reunion when on Christmas Eve 1909 my Father returned Home from his mission and they spent a beautiful holiday as a family unit once again.

My parents worked together, played together and faced sorrows together. They fed and roomed people from Hanksville, Utah to New York and California. Sometimes I wondered "who was sleeping in my bed", but I didn't mind for it was exciting to meet and visit with the interesting people who came to our home. Our door was always open to strangers as well as friends, and many lasting and important friendships were made through these contacts. The Governors reception was not complete unless Mother was there with my Father and he was always so proud of her. She was a lovely woman. Many times my father would surprise her with unexpected house guests. She didn't complain for she loved to entertain, and was, somehow, always ready for my Father's generosity.

My father was loved, admired and respected by his family and friends. He was a man of vision, a leader and influence in the communities, county and State he lived in. If he had done nothing else in his years of service, his place in the history of Wayne County should be assured because of his foresight. I know he rests peacefully and content for many of his dreams have been fulfilled and his "Wonderland" had its place among the rest of nature’s beauties. One can see his picture along with that of Joseph S. Hickman, his brother-in-law, in the Visitors Center, Capitol Reef National Park, Fruita, Utah. The State of Utah has benefited through his efforts.

The lives of my parents were a labor of love and devotion. They enjoyed every minute of it diligently and faithfully seeking ways to make a better world for their posterity and others who follow. My father has mentioned how and when he became acquainted with my Mother. Her history relates how their friendship grew and matured into marriage. In the spring of 1879 her brother William Hickman and his wife Ida left Milford to go to Caineville to care for his parent’s farm until they could come in the fall. My Mother went along because she knew there was someone special in Caineville who she wanted very much to see. On their way, they went through Glenwood where they met my Father, Port, as she called him, at the home of his grandparents James (Jens) K. and Helena Peterson. He had arrived there on his way to Richfield, Utah to enlist in the Spanish American War. He escorted these visitors to the mouth of Kings Meadow Canyon on their way to Wayne County, then returned to Glenwood.

The next entry pertaining to Glenwood was the third day on their way to Manti, Utah to be married. These young people stayed overnight at the home of the Grandparents Peterson leaving the next morning for Manti. They were married 21 June 1899, and returned to Caineville, Utah.

In the fall of 1899 my parents returned to Glenwood where he worked for his Uncle Joseph Peterson who was married to Kista Hendricksen. Once again the home of the Grandparents was open, and they lived with them for a while. My Mother said it was very hard for old and young to work things out together, so they moved into a little tow roomed house, and my father began working for the Singer Sewing Machine Company. The pay wasn't good so her brother Joseph Hickman came to live with them to help pay expenses. When they found out they were to become parents for the first time, my Mother's parents insisted they move back to Caineville to await the birth of their child.

With this move it seems the ties with Glenwood were becoming a little weaker. The Pectols had established themselves in other areas, the Grandparents were becoming older, and their families were moving to other areas. The death of Grandfather Peterson, and the move of his wife to Caineville with her daughter Annian, were all contributing factors to my father's life being completed in another area. However, these is a little brother and sister of my fathers buried in the old cemetery. In the new one are graves of Jens K. and Helena Peterson, my great grandparents. For all these reasons I get a longing to visit and be a part of such a progressive community.

Much of my pioneer heritage lies in the Community of Glenwood, Utah and I am proud to know that my pioneer ancestors had a part in its establishment and growth. The little house my father was born in still stands and is owned and lived in by Mr. and Mrs. Reed Balle. It is vine-covered and an addition has been made on it, but I am happy to take relatives and friends to see it for it is where Grandpa Pectol, my father, was born and "Uncle Port" lived.

My Father died October 8, 1947. At the time of his death he was writing a history of early Wayne County. Unfortunately it has never been published. It is in my possession, and hopefully, someday, I can put it together as a memorial to him. Dorothy, my Mother died August 3, 1951. Both are buried at Torrey, Utah.