Frankin A. Purrington History

Frankin A. Purrington History

I Laura Isabell McFarland Purrington am writing the life history of

Franklin Ammon Purrington, who is my husband. He died on Nov. 8, 1936

in Ogden City, Weber County, Utah.

He was born in an adobe house on Nov. 7, 1887 at West Weber, Weber County, Utah. He was one out of a large family of 9 or 10 boys and one girl. She died in infancy if I remember right. His parents, William Purrington and Elizabeth Robb Purrington and other members of the family lived on a small farm in West Weber, Weber County, Utah. It was later called Taylor. The Taylor Ward and West Weber wards were in the North Weber Stake of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints also called Mormon church.

At that time being the early years of 1900, no one received very large wages. Frank was very much interested in playing ball, ice skating, and swimming. They swam in canals and the old Weber river and did ice skating on frozen ponds. He also was pitcher on the baseball team.

The Purrington family was very musically inclined. Their father William Purrington, was chorister for many years in the wards and Brother Edward Barnes his assistant. Frank was a very good tenor singer. Sang in quartet also sang many solos.

He went to school in West Weber and Taylor. One of his first teachers was Joseph Bidwell who lived at that time in Pleasant View, Weber County. As he advanced in school he went to school in Wilson Lane. It was also located in Weber County, Utah. His teacher was John Wheeler at this school His teacher lived in Slaterville, Weber County, Utah. Frank's school pals were Fred Neilson, Winslow Farr, William Larsen. After graduating from the eighth grade, he got a job for the Amalgamated Sugar Company, located at Wilson Lane, Weber, County. His work was getting samples of juice from the sugar beets, he got the juice in quart cups and took it to the chemist laboratory and it was tested for the sugar contents in juice of sugar beets. He was advanced as helper to the chemist. He was 21 years of age on the 7th, of Nov. 1907 and we were married on the 25th, of March 1908 by John R. winder in Salt Lake City Temple of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Known also as the Mormon Church.

After we were married our first home we lived in was a two room brick with a pantry and one closet, bedroom and kitchen. Furniture was coal stove table, two chairs, and sideboard. We were very proud of it. My first rug (it being in the bedroom) was woven out of calico rags sewed together and made into large balls. Mrs. Johnson of Weison Lane wove the rags into a carpet. For padding- vie put sheat straw and barley straw under it.

After living there for a short time my husband was called to go to Great Britton England on a mission. He left the morning of May 26th, 1908. We stored all of our belongings in my parents home, Mr. and Mrs. James R. McFarland. I also went to live with my parents in West Weber, Utah.

While in the mission field my husband kept a diary and we will write it in this sketch. In this diary he started the poem called "Utah".

UTAH

By Frank A. Purrington Gateshead, April 24, 1909

Near lofty mountains crowned with natures treasured snow, Down from whose fountains, crystal streamlets flow. There's a habitation, blessed of all "neath heavens dome" In a place called Utah, tis my mountain home.

Chorus

Utah! Oh Utah! Peaceful home beyond the sea. Utah! Oh Utah! Oft I think of thee.

Oft fond emotions waft my wandering thoughts away, Far over the ocean where they loved to stray, To that land of beauty while away from it I roam. To the mist of dear ones near my mountain home.

Chorus

Utah! Oh Utah! Blessed home I loved so well. Utah! Oh Utah! Where my loved ones dwell.

(From Frank A. Purrington Diary)

As you have noticed in reading his diary, it was mentioned that I Laura Isabell McFarland Purrington his wife, went back to England to meet him. Those going with me were Alma Larkin, John Tillotson, also Apostle Rodger Clanson of the Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latterday Saints and his family with other missionaries from different parts of the State of Utah left Salt Lake City Utah May 26, 1908. We had a wonderful trip by train to Montreal Canada. Left Montreal, Canada. Got on the SS Megantic. Sailed to Liverpool, England. We were 8 or 9 days on water. Apostle Rudger Clawson was chosen by the authorities of the Latterday Saint Church to take Apostle Charles W. Penrose place who was presiding at that time over the missionaries in the European mission of The Church Or Jesus Christ Of Latterday Saints. Met my husband at Liverpool. Traveled in England for better than a month. Returned home by boat and train. Visited folks. Decided to live in Ogden city, Utah. Our first home was in rear of 2630 26th. St. Home owned by Joseph Wheelwright.

We had not lived there long until Elder Purrington was called by Professor Joseph Balantyne to sing in the Ogden City Tabernacle choir of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints.

We lived at this address for a short time and we moved into a house owned by Albert Wheelwright. The apartment was located at 2460 Quincy Avenue. We moved there to 2545 Madison Ave. Our first child Thelma, was born 29th Sept. 1913. We were living in the 4th ward of Ogden city and Ogden Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints.

Elder Frank A. Purrington was chose as assistant choir leader of that same ward. Orson Griffin being the choir leader. He served in this position as near as I can remember from 1912 to 1915. He was chosen President of the Elder quorum of the 4th ward Ogden Stake. We lived in this ward two different times. July 1, 1930.

Elder Frank A. Purrington did not go to college so he got his schooling in the mission field and through a correspondent course in chemistry. He took this course with the International Correspondent school of Scranton Pennsylvania Cp U.S.A. He started on course in the year of 1916 and graduated on 25th, of April 1917. He had very high marks.

We built us a home a 2340 Edian Ave. (later called Eccles Ave.) While there, he took this course in chemistry. Conrad Edvalsen was contractor and builder of our home. It was located in the 13th ward of Ogden Stake.

While living in this ward he sang in the ward choir and was also a ward teacher. We lived in our new home for 2 or 3 years.

Our second child and first son Dean R. Purrington was born 23rd of April 1917 at the home of 2340 Eccles, 13th, ward of the Ogden Stake.

We moved from home at 2340 Eccles Ave. to 4 and 1 west Brigham City Davis County Utah. Frank was chosen to be chemist of the Brigham City Amalgamated Sugar Co.

The War broke out shortly after and the men and boys had to go to serve their country. The women and girls and older men of Brigham City and Ogden had to work n the factory also in chemist laboratory.

My sister Olive McFarland assisted Frank in the chemist laboratory. Her name now is Mrs. Elvin H. Maw.

While living in Brigham our third child, Barbara Jean Purrington was born on the 17th, of Oct. 1919 at home. In the spring of 1920 we moved into Cache County Utah down by the Amalgamated Smithfield Sugar factory. The Amaga ward was organized just two years before we moved there on the 12th of March 1918. Stake President Alma Menell, Jessie L. Mortenson as Bishop, First Counselor Joseph Wadson, Second Counselor J. Leselie Petterson, Ezra Chugg ward clerk, Nina Bair organist, Amos Brown chorister and other organizations were organized. Sunday school, Young Ladies and Young Mens M and A, Primary religion class and officers were appointed over them.

On July 14th, 1922 our fourth child Franklin Marwood was born at home in Amalga. Frank A. Purrington was chosen in the year 1922 by Bishop Jesse Mortenson and counsels and general authorities of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints. And President of the 13th Quorum of Elders of the Benson Stake of Cache County Utah.

Elder Purrington was also chosen on March 11, 1923 by Bishop Jessie L. Mortenson to be ward clerk of the Amalga ward, Benson Stake. Sara Chugg, former ward clerk was released the same day March 11, 1923. Bishop Jessie L. Mortenson.

[ Several pages missing ]

The 201 quorum of Seventy on the morning of Nov. 8, 1936 was grieved to learn of the death of one of their beloved and faithful members Brother Frank A. Purrington. The council through constant contact with this family during the long illness of Brother Purrington realized the necessity of being helpful in aiding the family to overcome the economic troubles and difficulties brought on by this bereavement. In a meeting of the Bishopric and Quorum Presidency the situation was discussed from al langles and suggested that had been made by friends, relatives and solicitors. As a result of this meeting it was decided to convert her 5 room home into apartments. This suggestion resulted in meeting with our families. Our Senior President Brother Norman D. Moffett and experienced builder and contractor drew up some plans and converted the house into three apartments. Two plans were discussed and taken to our Stake president Samuel G. Dye for consideration and advice. President Dye advised that the three apartments was most feasible and most profitable. They were many skilled men in this quorum, also unskilled who were willing to apply their efforts and put this project through

On Dec. 14, 1936 slightly over one month after the passing away of Brother Frank Purrington the project was begun. Within eight weeks time after his death, a kitchen and back bedroom and four room apartment consisting of living room, two bedrooms, kitchen and bath were completed and sister Purrington moved into this apartment. The installing of furnace was also finished and also entrance to basement. I am thankful to my Heavenly Father for the blessing we can enjoy if we will put our faith in our Heavenly Father.

The Services of Frank A. Purrington were held Wednesday 11, 1936 in the 13th ward chapel. Bishop Edward Chambers presiding. Funeral started at 1:30 p.m. Prayer at home at 2340 Eccles by Silas D. Rawson, genealogical committee presiden. Chapel services were at 2:00 p.m. in the 13th ward, Ogden Stake.

Prelude by Mildred Gre.

Duet --- Give Me Thy Hand --- Era Greenwell and Addie Pulsipher accompanied by Lois F. Belnap

Invocation --- Parley Balls, Bishop Counselor, Amalga Ward, Benson Stake.

Solo --- Oh My Father --- Grace Nelson Wright

Remarks --- Lawrence S. Burton

Bishop George S. Noble

Amalga ward, Benson Stake

Alma Larkin

Duet --- Come Unto Me And Rest --- Eva Greenwell, Addie Pulsipher accompanied by Lois F. Belnap

Remarks --- David Carr

Carl I. Edvalson

Bishop Alex Hogge Eden

Bishop Edward T. Saunders

Fourth Ward, Ogden, Utah

Solo --- Going Home p--- Annie Brian

Benediction --- Heber C. Oborn

Postlude --- Mildred Grix

Prayer at the grave --- Alviin Maw

Pall Bearers --- E.F. Stodmuster

Peter Jensen

Jack Peterson

Robert Heywood

Glenn Coleman

Andrew Rosedahl