Biographies for Juab County, Utah

JOHN ALBERT BOOTH, D. D. S.
Dr. John Albert Booth, who is engaged in the practice of dentistry at Nephi, where he has a well equipped office, was born September 3, 1862, in Nephi, a son of Edwin and Ann (Mosley) Booth, who were natives of England. The father came to America in the early '40s. The Booth family were among the early converts in England to the teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and Edwin Booth was baptized in the Mississippi river, near Nauvoo, by the prophet Joseph Smith. The Booths of England were factory workers, the grandfather of Dr. Booth being a dyer in a factory of that, country. The grandmother, who bore the maiden name of Mary Mosley, was left a widow in Illinois, after which she brought her family of children across the plains to Utah, driving an ox team all the way and arriving here in the fall of 1848. In the year 1851 Edwin Booth arrived at Nephi, Utah, where he followed farming and sheep raising, becoming a well known stockman.. He departed this life in 1906, at the age of seventy- two years, and the mother is still living. Edwin Booth had served as county selectman at an early day. He was also a member of the city council and was recognized as one of the most substantial and valued citizens of Nephi and of Juab county. He remained an active member of the church throughout his entire life and his sterling worth of character commanded for him the respect and confidence of all who knew him.

John Albert Booth was the fourth in order of birth in a family of ten children and at present is the oldest one living. His educational training was about equivalent to that of a high school course. He was reared upon his father's farm and remained at home until his marriage, which occurred when he was nineteen years of age. He afterward followed farming, freighting and sheep raising until 1892, when he took up the study of dentistry in the office of Dr. C. H. Bird of Nephi and in a short time was admitted to a partnership, the association being thus maintained until Dr. Bird removed to Manti twenty-seven years ago. Dr. Booth was also for a time in the office of Dr. T.A. Clawson of Salt Lake City prior to the time when he became associated with Dr. Bird. He is an able dentist, most skilfully handling the delicate little instruments which constitute the dental equipment, his work being of the highest class. He keeps in touch with the latest scientific researches and discoveries along the line of dental practice and by reason of his ability has long enjoyed an extensive business.

Dr. Booth was married to Miss Jane Carter, of Nephi, and to them have been born seven children, all of whom are yet living. Myrtle is the wife of A. M. McOmie, an expert beet sugar manufacturer, who is now interested in the building of a factory at Weiser, Idaho. For a time he was at the head of the Better Beet Culture Committee of California John A. is a teacher in the schools of Cedar City. Arthur Leroy is a druggist at San Diego, California. Ralph Edwin is a teacher of music in the Snow Academy at Ephraim. He was attending a musical academy of Boston, Massachusetts, when he joined the army and went to France with the One Hundred and Forty-fifth Regimental Band, playing the French horn. The younger children are Leslie, Paul and Jay M. Dr. Booth has long been an active and helpful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served on a mission to the Indian Territory from 1888 until 1890 and in 1903 was sent on a mission to England, where he laboured for twenty-six months, being president of one of the London branches. For three years his son, John A., Jr., was on a mission to Germany and served a term of fourteen days there in prison for preaching the gospel. Dr. Booth is high priest in the stake high council. His wife is a member of the stake board of the Relief Society and is also a recognized leader in musical circles. The family occupies an attractive home at Nephi, which was erected by Dr Booth, this being the second residence which he has built in the city, having sold the other. He has always made it his aim to educate his children and provide them with such training as would well qualify them for life's practical and responsible duties. All are high school graduates and some have received college educations and the family is one of which he has every reason to be proud. Dr. Booth is a man of high personal worth whose splendid qualities and genial manner have made for popularity among all who know him.

(Source: Utah since Statehood Historical and Biographical, by Noble Warrum, editor, Vol 1, Publ 1919. Transcribed by Wayne Cheeseman)

DANIEL B. CRONIN
Daniel B. Cronin, city marshal of Eureka city, Utah, and formerly sheriff of Juab County was born at the Allisons ranch gold mine, in Nevada County, California, July 25, 1865, his parents being John B. Cronin and Margaret (Casey) Cronin, who were natives of Ireland. The grandfather in the paternal line came to America in 1853, making his way to Washington, D. C. He was a stone cutter by trade and assisted in the erection of the treasury building in Washington. John B. Cronin was a schoolmate of General Phil Sheridan of Civil war fame. In 1863 he went to California, where for a year he was engaged in the business of bootmaking, and then removed to the state of Nevada in 1866 during the Comstock boom and there made high class boots for the gamblers and cowboys. He died in 1909 at the age of sixty-seven years. His son, Daniel B. Cronin, is the eldest in a family of six children, the others being Margaret, the wife of the late Patrick Shea, of Salt Lake City; John A., of Garfield, Utah; Frank, who was killed at the Yankee mine near Eureka in 1910; Clara, who is the widow of Cassius Darnell and resides at Salt Lake City; and Kate, living in San Francisco, California.

Daniel B. Cronin obtained a public school education and in early life learned the printer's trade, which he followed for a few years in Austin, Nevada. He spent about one year in mining at Park City, Utah, and in 1887 came to Eureka, where he has since been active in connection with mining interests and the public life of the community. He served as constable for several years during territorial days and served as deputy sheriff of Juab county under Sheriff P. P. Christison, for two terms. He was elected sheriff for two terms and was the first sheriff of Juab County after the admission of Utah into the Union. He later accepted the position as foreman of the Godiva mine at Eureka, but again entering politics, was appointed to the position of city marshal of Eureka city but resigned the position in 1911, and removed to Las Vegas, Nevada, accepting the deputy sheriff position of Clark county, Nevada. After two years' residence at Las Vegas he removed to Goldfield, Nevada, and accepted the position of superintendent of the Willow Creek Mining Company, in Nye county, Nevada. There he continued until 1917 and was connected with the Wingfield interests there. In the year mentioned he returned to Eureka and accepted a position with the United States Mining Company, so serving until appointed city marshal of Eureka city, Utah, on the 5th of January, 1920.

On the 19th of September, 1888, Mr. Cronin was married to Miss Sarah Ferguson, a daughter of Singleton Ferguson, who for years was foreman at the Mammoth mine. Mr. and Mrs. Cronin and became parents of thirteen children, of whom twelve are living, namely: Margaret, wife of O. J. Lucas; Annie, wife of Matt Murphy; Sergeant John B. Cronin, who served with the Three Hundred and Sixty-second Infantry of the Ninety-first Division and was wounded in the Argonne Forest but was back on the front line again before the armistice was signed, receiving his discharge on the 2d of May, 1919; Daniel S.; Bernice; Maynard; Naomi; Arthur; Agnes V., deceased; Barry; Alice; William; and Helen.

In his political views Mr. Cronin is a democrat and fraternally is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of the Maccabees. In religious faith he and his family are Catholics. He is highly respected for the good work which he has done as sheriff of Juab County, Utah, and as city marshal of Eureka city, Utah.

(Source: Utah since Statehood Historical and Biographical, by Noble Warrum, editor, Vol 1, Publ 1919. Transcribed by Wayne Cheeseman)

JESSE N. ELLERTSON
Jesse N. Ellertson, clerk of the Carbon county School board and a resident of Price, was born at Mona, Juab county, Utah, September 18, 1889, his parents being Norman W. and Malissa (Green) Ellertson. The father was born while his parents were crossing the plains en route to Utah in 1856. The Ellertson family home was established at Ephraim and during his boyhood Norman W. Ellertson participated in the Indian war troubles of 1865 and 1867. When peace was declared he removed to Mona, where he married and established his home. He still owns a good farm at that place but has retired from active business and now makes his home in Provo. Norman W. and Malissa Ellertson became the parents of six children: Jesse N., Leo, Roy, Clarence, Eva and Lyle. The son Leo joined the army on the 19th of October, 1918, and for a time was stationed at Camp Lewis, while later he was transferred to Vancouver, Washington, being connected with the Spruce Division. He served until August, 1919.

Jesse N. Ellertson obtained a common school education at Mona and pursued a four years’ normal course at the Brigham Young University, from which he was graduated with the class of 1909. He afterward taught school for two years at Tremonton, Boxelder county, and in 1912 entered upon a three years’ commercial course at the Utah Agricultural College of Logan. Following his graduation he removed to Price, where for four years he taught in the high school, having charge of the commercial department, which he made a most creditable one, giving thorough instruction along business lines and thus materially assisting in qualifying young men and women for responsibilities of business life. In September, 1919, he was appointed clerk of the Carbon county school board and is now filling that position. He had previously served as chief clerk of the local draft board during 1918 and 1919, being released from duty in March of the latter year.

At Salt Lake City, on the 18th of August, 1915, Mr. Ellerstson was married to Miss Mamie Munro, a daughter of R. H. and Mary Ann (Long) Munro. Mrs. Ellertson was secretary in the office of the Utah Agricultural College under President Widtsoe, who is now president of the University of Utah. Her parents are residents of Logan, where they located in 1903 on removing from Manitoba, Canada. The father won a substantial measure of success in Canada and is now living practically retired, although he manages a small orchard. In this he finds great delight and is regarded as an expert orchardist. To Mr. and Mrs. Munro were born three daughters: Mamie, Florence and Ethel. Mr. And Mrs. Ellertson have become the parents of a daughter, Flo, who was born in Price, August 18, 1918.

Mr. Ellertson is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-say Saints. He belongs to the Price Commercial Club and his political support is given to the republican party, for he is a firm believer in its principles and does everything in his power to secure their adoption. He has made for himself a creditable name and place in educational circles and is a most earnest supporter of the public school system, putting forth effective effort in maintaining the highest standards of public instruction.

[Source: Utah since Statehood: Historical and Biographical Volume 2; By Noble Warrum; Publ. 1919; Transcribed by Richard Ramos]

WALTER FITCH, SR.
Walter Fitch, Sr., is a prominent figure in the mining circles of Utah. He makes his home at Eureka, where he supervises the mining interests which he and his sons projected some twelve years since. He was born in London, England, January 20, 1854, a son of Alfred Fitch, a descendant of the old Fitch family of Essex and Norfolk counties, England. The son Walter was seventh in order of birth in a family of nine children. He came to the United States in 1874, going to the mining region of Upper Michigan, where he engaged in mining work, ultimately having charge of and becoming the manager of a number of mines there and in Minnesota, representing prominent Boston and Pittsburgh interests. After twenty odd years service with these he was superintendent of the underground operations of the Calumet and Hecla and afterward was general manager of the United States Mining & Smelting Company of Utah, giving up these to take up like work for himself.

It was in Michigan that Mr. Fitch was married to Miss Exilda Marcotte, a native of the state of New York. Mr. and Mrs. Fitch's three sons and two daughters were all born in Michigan. After living there for thirty years Mr. Fitch and his family moved to Utah, where he and his sons have, for the last twelve years, been engaged in building up the business of their company—the Chief Consolidated Mining Company. The scene of their operations is in the Tintic mining district and it was here they made their search for and found the mines which now rank as the largest in the district and as silver producers are among the largest in the country. After living in Salt Lake City for two years the family, in 1909, decided to live at the mines, and to this action Mr. Fitch believes large credit is to be given for the successful results gained.

The eldest of the sons, Howard Fitch is engaged in the geological department of the work. He served during the World war with the One Hundred Fifteenth Engineers of the Sixth Army Corps, and was with the troops for eleven months in France. Cecil Fitch and Walter Fitch, Jr., both graduates of the Michigan College of Mines, were the active factors in the development and opening up of the mines of the Chief Consolidated, Cecil has been twelve years at the work and is now the general manager, while Walter, Jr., after devoting seven years to this, took up mining work on his own account and now has a very successful business as a contractor of mining, operating in several states. The eldest daughter, Lillian, became the wife of J. Fred. Johnson, who holds the position of superintendent of the Chief Consolidated Company. He served with the One Hundred Sixteenth Engineers of the Forty-first Division in France. Maud, the second daughter, is well known to the people of the state and in her own town for her activities and her benevolent and enterprising characteristics. She served in the World war with the English, Hackett-Lowther Ambulance Unit, which operated with the Third French Army in the Complegne and Saint Quentin campaigns. She received the decoration of the Crolx de Guerre.

The Fitch family are communicants of the Catholic Church and are its strongest supporters in their own village. Mr. Fitch and his sons are members of the American 1nstitute of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers and of its local chapter, and also of the Alta and University Clubs. Mr. Fitch is a member of the Commercial Club of Salt Lake City and of the Rocky Mountain Club of New York, the Mining and Metallurgical Society of America, of the Houghton Club of Michigan, one of the vice governors of the chapter of the American Mining Congress and one of the regents of the University of Utah. He is president of his own company—the Chief Consolidated. He became a citizen of this country in 1876 and has always been a republican in politics.

Source: "Utah Since Statehood", Noble Warrum; Chicago :: S.J. Clarke Pub. Co.,1920
Contributed and transcribed by Richard Ramos

GEORGE FRANCOM
George Francom, county commissioner of Juab county and one of the leading citizens of that part of the state, was born at Levan, Utah, where he resided continuously until the fall of 1919,. when he purchased at Nephi the home that he is noW occupying, planning to make it his winter residence, though he still retains his old home and is one of the largest land owners of that part of the state. He was born March 8, 1871, and is a son of Joseph and Martha (Eaton) Francom, who were natives of England and came to America with their respective parents, who were pioneer settlers of Utah. The Francom family first settled at Payson and afterward removed to Glenwood but were there driven out by the Indians. They subsequently took up their abode at Levan, Juab county, where Joseph Francom became a well known farmer and churchman. The family numbered eleven children, six sons and five daughters: Mattie, the wife of Walter Webb, of Lehi; J. W., living at Garland, Utah; George, of this review; Samuel, who died at the age of eleven years; Nellie, the widow of Thomas Orme; Frances, who married Oliver C. Dalby; Edith, the wife of Don Jennings; Leonard; Owen; Louise, the wife of Shepherd Warlock; and Ray.

George Francom acquired a common school education while spending his youth- ful days upon his father's farm, where he was reared, .early becoming familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. At the age of twenty-one years he was married to Miss Mary E. Tunbridge, who was the first white female child born at Levan. Mr. and Mrs. Francom have become parents of eleven children, eight of whom are living: Laurel, the wife of Perry Hall; Blanche; George W., who died in infancy; Alice; Violet, who died in 1915, at the age of thirteen years; Walter; Robert, who passed away in infancy; Wanda; Norma; Georgie; and Ruth.

After starting out in life for himself George Francom gave his attention to farming and sheep and cattle raising at Levan. He purchased the old home there a ranch of seven hundred acres, of which one hundred and twenty-five acres is under irrigation. He also owns several hundred acres of grazing land and is widely known as a capable and successful raiser of horses and cattle, having one hundred head of cattle and twenty-five head of horses. He was also in the sheep business for twenty-six years, conducting his interests along that line very extensively, but at the present time he keeps only about five hundred head of sheep. He is also the president of the Levan Mill & Elevator Company, is a director of the Nephi National Bank, a director of the Levan Cattle & Land Company, a director of the Juab County Farmers Association, and also a director of the Juab County Mill & Elevator Company of Nephi. His farm property at Levan is in excellent condition. There are good buildings upon it, with full farm equipment of every character. The home which he recently purchased at Nephi is known as the old Mynder place and is a large brick residence, surrounded by spacious lawns, with beautiful evergreen and shade trees. In public affairs Mr. Francom has been somewhat active and prominent and has exercised considerable influence over public thought and action. He was elected County commissioner of Juab County on the democratic ticket in 1917 for a four years' term, so that he is now filling that position. He also served for two terms on the town board of Levan and was chairman of the democratic precinct committee of Levan. He has remained throughout his entire life a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and is now one of its elders. His interests and activities have ever been most wisely and intelligently directed and his labours have been of a character that has contributed to public progress and prosperity as well as to individual success.

(Source: Utah since Statehood Historical and Biographical, by Noble Warrum, editor, Vol 1, Publ 1919. Transcribed by Wayne Cheeseman)

ALBERT L. JACKMAN
In every community there is always one man who stands out above his fellow men as a born leader; one who not only is quick to see an opportunity, but quick to grasp such an opportunity and leads others on to success, and prosperity, building up the community in which he lives, and advancing by strides and bounds, accomplishing in a short time what it would take another man years of patient plodding to achieve. Such a man is he whose name appears at the head of this article.

A. L. Jackman was born in Dubuque, Iowa, March 21, 1849, and is the son of A. B. and Luanda (Stone) Jackman, both natives of New York Stale. They came to Nauvoo. from New York State and there joined the Mormon Church. They moved to Dubuque in 1848 and in 1854 crossed the plains to Utah, in the company of Hooper, Williams and Jackman. an Uncle, Permono Jackman. being a partner of Hooper and Williams. He was killed at Bitter Springs by the Indians, while on his way to California. The parents of our subject settled at Provo and lived there ten years, where the mother died, and the father lived afterward in Salem and at Tintic, where he spent the remainder of his life, dying in 1890.

Our subject came to Juab County in 1875 and located in Levan, which place has since been his home. Re was married August 29, 1875, to Mary Frances Jennings, daughter of Mansfield and Fannie Jennings. They have had a family of ten children.

Mr. Jackman engaged in farming and stock raising and has at this time about four hundred acres of ranch land. For fourteen years he was engaged in the sheep business, but has not devoted much time to that line of late years. He has been for some time Superintendent of the Co-operative store of that place; also interested largely in mining. He is a member of the Pioneer Mining Company, whose property is located near Kanab, southeast of Saint George. This is a copper mine and is considered quite valuable. In political life he is a member of the Republican party, in whose ranks he has been an active worker. He held the office of Justice of the Peace for two years; also that of County Commissioner.

He has been active in Church matters, all his family being members of the Mormon Church, and his grandfather, Levi Jackman, was a prominent man in that Church. Our subject was one of the twelve young men who organized the Deseret Club in this State; and, in fact, has taken a prominent part in all the life of Levan since coming here to reside. He is wide-awake, active and thoroughly up-to-date in all his ideas.

Source: Portrait, Genealogical and Biographical Record of the State of Utah; National Historic Record Co.; Chicago IL 1902 Pg. 472
Contributed and transcribed by Christine Walters

LOUIS E. PIERCE, D. D. S.
Dr. Louis E. Pierce is today the oldest dentist of Eureka in years of continuous practice in the city and he has also ever maintained a foremost position by reason of his skill and ability. He was born in Brattleboro, Vermont, October 20, 1873, and is a son of Joseph Warren and Cordelia D. (Ingraham) Pierce, representatives of old New England families. He obtained a high school education at Keene, New Hampshire, to which place his parents removed during his infancy. Having determined upon the practice of dentistry as a life work, he went to Boston, Massachusetts, where he entered the Boston Dental College, from which he was graduated in 1898. For several years he worked in a dental office before attending school and thus his interest in the profession was aroused. He practised for a few years at Bloomington, Illinois, after completing his college course and later was for a year associated with Dr. Zimmerman at Salt Lake City. In 1906 he removed to Eureka, where he opened an office, and through the intervening period he has enjoyed an extensive practice, handling with capability and precision the many delicate little instruments that form the equipment of the dentist.

In 1906 Dr. Pierce was married to Miss Myrtle Swaine, of Bloomington, Illinois. Fraternally he is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and politically is a supporter of the Republican Party. His wife is an active member of the Catholic Church. Both are well known in Eureka, where they have won high regard, the hospitality of many of the best homes of the city being cordially extended to them.

(Source: Utah since Statehood Historical and Biographical, by Noble Warrum, editor, Vol 1, Publ 1919. Transcribed by Wayne Cheeseman)

THE TIMES-NEWS
Dennis Wood and A. B. Gibson, Proprietors
The Times-News of Nephi is edited and published by Dennis Wood and A. B. Gibson and is one of Utah's most progressive and thoroughly up-to-date weekly papers. It was winner of the Porte Shield for 1919, which was awarded for achieving excellence in first-page typography and news awards by the Utah Press Association. The Times News was a contestant among sixty weeklies in Utah. The paper is issued each Friday and has a circulation of seven hundred and fifty copies.

Dennis Wood, one of the proprietors, was born January 3, 1871, near Birmingham, England, a son of Charles and Eliza (Jones) Wood. Dennis Wood came to America in 1889 and was messenger boy for the Western Union Telegraph Company at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for one summer. The next year he made his way to Nephi, Utah, where he joined his brother Albert and with him became engaged in sheep raising and in the dairy business. They developed their interests to large proportions and Dennis Wood was connected therewith until 1908, when he sold out and was appointed postmaster of Nephi by President Roosevelt. He continued to serve for eight years and afterward organized the Nephi News, publishing this paper until its coalition with the Juab County Times in 1917.

In 1894 Mr. Wood was married to Miss Elsie Price, of Nephi, and they have three living children: Lucile, the wife of W. H. Warner; Raymond and Gordon.Mr. Wood was elected mayor of Nephi in November, 1919, and is now giving to the city a businesslike and progressive administration. He had previously been a member of the city council and he is county chairman of the republican central committee, a position which he has occupied for two years, while for six years he was secretary of the committee. He is also an elder in the Mormon church and was president of the Commercial Club for one year. His interests and activities have covered a broad scope and have always had to do with the upbuilding and development of the district in which he lives.

A. B. Gibson, who is associated with Mr. Wood in the ownership and conduct of the Times News of Nephi, was born February 14, 1894, in the city which is still his home. He is a son of Jacob and Alice (North) Gibson, who were pioneer people of the state. The father was born at Millcreek, Salt Lake county, and the mother's birth occurred in Salt Lake City. A. B. Gibson obtained his education in the schools of Nephi and when fifteen years of age secured a position on the Juab County Times, with which he was connected until it was consolidated with the News, and he became the partner of Mr. Wood in the ownership and conduct of the Times-News.

In 1919 Mr. Gibson married Miss Geneva Park of Nephi. On the 12th of February, 1918, he enlisted in the United States army, becoming a member of the Three Hundred and Eighteenth Company of the Engineer Corps of the Sixth Division. He was in France for thirteen months and was discharged June 25, 1919. That he was often in the thickest of the fight is indicated in the fact that he served on the Meuse, was in the Argonne offensive and at various points along the battle line from Belgium to Switzerland. He is now a member of Nephi Post No. 1, of the American Legion in Utah, this being the first post established in the state, and he is in hearty sympathy with the purposes of that organization to uphold the highest American standards and to make each resident of the United States a loyal supporter of American interests. He belongs to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in which he is serving as an elder.

(Source: Utah since Statehood Historical and Biographical, by Noble Warrum, editor, Vol 1, Publ 1919. Transcribed by Wayne Cheeseman)

W. J. TREGONING
W. J. Tregoning, a Eureka merchant of long standing and prominence, was born in Cornwall, England, May 11, 1872, a son of William and Dorothy (Roberts) Tregoning. The father was a copper and tin miner of England. Coming to America, he made his way to Nevada in 1875 and, after following mining there for a time, sent for his family in 1877. He had five children: Anna, the wife of Joseph Treloar; W. J.; Thomas; Dorothy, the wife of Hall Hobday; and Clare, the wife of C. H. Roberts. W. J. Tregoning attended the common schools of Eureka, Nevada, and early in life took up mining in that state, but in 1895 he came to Eureka, Utah, where he again engaged in mining until 1907. He then purchased a bankrupt news, stationery, cigars and small department store and has since conducted the business with splendid success. In 1909 he established a branch stock market for William H. Child & Company of Salt Lake City, of the Salt Lake Stock & Miners Exchange. He has enjoyed a profitable business as the years have passed and in 1919 admitted to a partnership John Hanley, who had been in his employ for twelve years, as he needed someone to relieve him of the responsibility of the business, the monthly sales of which now amount to more than a thousand dollars. On the 28th of March, 1900, Mr. Tregoning was married to Louise Glanville, of Eureka, and they have four children: Mary, Leonard, Dorothy and Joel. Mr. Tregoning is a past grand of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and a past grand patriarch of the encampment. He is also a past commander of the Knights of the Maccabees and has been a delegate to the Grand Lodge of Odd Fellows. In politics he is a republican and has served as city recorder and as city treasurer. His activities have covered a broad scope and he is recognized as a man of sterling worth, thoroughly reliable and progressive in business, loyal and patriotic in citizenship and helpful in his relations to the various fraternal organizations with which he is connected. Those who know him and he has a wide acquaintance speak of him in terms of warm regard. Almost his entire life has been passed in the west and throughout his career he has typified the western spirit of progress and advancement.

(Source: Utah since Statehood Historical and Biographical, by Noble Warrum, editor, Vol 1, Publ 1919. Transcribed by Wayne Cheeseman)

GEORGE M. WHITMORE
George M. Whitmore, cashier of the First National Bank of Nephi, in which city he was born, is a son of George Carter and Mary Elizabeth (Hague) Whitmore. The father's birth occurred at Waxahachie, Texas, January 26, 1853, his parents being James M. and Elizabeth (Carter) Whitmore. The former was a son of John and Elizabeth (Burk) Whitmore, representatives of an old family of Tennessee. The grandfather of George M. Whitmore was a physician and in 1857 came to Utah with the Homer Duncan company, settling first at Salt Lake and afterward removing to St. George, Utah, where he was very prominent in Mormon circles, and at the time of his death, which occurred in 1866, he was one of the leading ranchers and stockmen of southern Utah. He was killed by the Navajos at Pipe Springs, Utah, thus fell a victim to Indian treachery. He was a very brave and fearless man and it was this bravery that led to his death, for he was killed by Indians who had been driven away by white men after they had killed many head of cattle.

George C. Whitmore, father of George M. Whitmore, was educated in the schools of St. George and after his father was killed by the Indians he determined to avenge his death and keep what belonged to his mother from the red men. The attitude which he took resulted in a peace offer finally being made by the Indians in that community. To avoid further trouble Mr. Whitmore left St. George and in 1872 went to Nephi, where he became a leading citizen of Juab County, figuring prominently for many years as a rancher, stockman, merchant, banker and statesman. He thus contributed in marked measure to the development and up building of the district in which he lived and also left the impress of his individuality upon the legislative history of the state. He served for two terms as a member of the Utah senate, being elected on the democratic ticket in 1899 and again in 1903. He established the First National Bank of Nephi in 1886 and remained president thereof until his demise, which occurred in Pasadena, California, November 8, 1917. In the meantime he had made large investments in land in various parts of Utah and Nevada, more especially in Carbon County, Utah. He took a keen interest in affairs relating to the progress and up building of the state as well, served as a member of the board of trustees of the Utah Agricultural College from 1902 until 1906 and was a regent of the University of Utah from 1910 until his death. He was also for years a member of the board of the State Mental Hospital at Provo and cooperated heartily in every well defined plan and project for the up building of the commonwealth. He was, moreover, a recognized leader in democratic circles and was a delegate to the national conventions of his party in 1904 and 1912. He likewise belonged to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. His great heart beat for all unfortunate beings, regardless of race or creed, and he gave liberally to many public charities. He was a man of broad humanitarian principles, noble in spirit and honest in deed; was a firm believer in Utah; and such were his activities and his high ideals that he did much to shape the history of the state. His family included George M., of this review; J. W., mentioned elsewhere in this work; Edith, the widow of William J. Sparks, of Salt Lake; Roscoe P., who passed away in 1909 at the age of twenty six years; Delia, the widow of Dr. J. M. Foster; L. A., a public accountant residing in Salt Lake City; H. E., who acts as teller of the National Copper Bank in Salt Lake; and Bernice, the wife of Lewis Karrick, of Salt Lake.

In the acquirement of his education George M. Whitmore attended the Salt Lake Seminary and also pursued a business course in the Agricultural College at Logan. Throughout his business career he has been closely associated with financial interests. He was assistant cashier of the First National Bank of Nephi until advanced to the position of cashier, in which capacity he has served since 1902. The Nephi Bank has established branch banks, including the State Bank of Payson, the Fillmore Commercial & Savings Bank and the Fountain Green State Bank. The resources of the First National Bank of Nephi have grown from four hundred thousand to one million dollars since Mr. Whitmore became cashier. He also has large land interests, which include city property, cattle and mercantile interests.

In 1900 Mr. Whitmore was married to Miss Pearl McCune, who was born in Salt Lake but was reared in Nephi and they had one son, Max, who is a student in the East high school at Salt Lake City. The wife and mother passed away in 1908 and Mr. Whitmore was married in 1914 to Margaret Rose, of Wichita, Kansas, who was, however, of Kentucky parentage.

Mr. Whitmore was mayor of Nephi from 1911 until 1913, being the only democrat who has ever occupied that position, a fact indicative of his personal worth and the confidence reposed in him. He is a representative of an old family of the state and the work which was instituted by his grandfather and continued by his father to a notable point in the progress and up building of Utah is being carried on by the son.

Source: "Utah Since Statehood", Noble Warrum; Chicago :: S.J. Clarke Pub. Co.,1920
Contributed and transcribed by Richard Ramos