Recollections of Grace Jarvis Fenn
As Recorded (probably) by
Pearl Jarvis Augustus

1915 in Salt Lake City after April conference, We then went visiting in Salina Molena and Galiente and on to Moapa Nevada on to Overton and Kaolin to pick up Nellie, who had lost her Mother, and came on to Benson where another two weeks were spent with my Mother. By team Thatcher, a visit was paid to his folks. Kenneth Fenn returned with us. Parley moved them to a little room house on the Feldcamp homestead and he left to look after interest in Morelos, Sonora, Mexico. He came out for a day or so in July to bring some horses lest they be stolen.

On 16 September 1915, Parley moved his family to Mexico. He thought things were getting stabilized but not so. Grace wrote in her autobiography: (4:12)

THE THIRD FLIGHT FROM MY NATIVE LAND NOV. 1915

We had been there less than six weeks, when we learned villa was planning a raid on Agua Prieta. We were just getting settled. Parley had bought a flock of chicken and a bunch of weaned pigs. He was cutting and hauling cane. Arthur was making the Molasses. The Mexicans had hauled the first load in of husked corn. The beans were about ripe, as also the squash etc, etc. When Moroni Fenn drove into the yard about 2 P.M., to say that the Villa's army was only miles away. We were supposed to have been notified that A.M. Every one was leaving Douglas. What a scramble! The molasses mill was miles away, Parley hailed a passing native who took a note to Arthur. Moroni killed and dressed a good sized hog and a chicken or two. The boys buried various things, including a barrell of Molasses, leaving one in the wagon. The wagon box was filled with loose wheat. As much of our belongings as we could be were put in the other wagons and we pulled out about 4 P.M. even before the teams from Morelos proper reached our place. (4:12)

It was decided that Arthur should go on to Gila to visit his mother, while Parley and Grace and Nellie stayed in Douglas to see what happened. After the bombardment of Agua Prieta stopped and the troops moved on, Parley left his family at Ed Haymores and went back to Morlos alone. The sight of desolation that he saw has been amply described in other histories. He gave up any further ideas of Mexico under present conditions and all returned to Benson (4:12)

THE RANCH 1915-1967

In the spring of 1915 Parley had previously rented what was known as the Powers place and grubbed some mesquites and planted a small portion to corn and potatoes. So upon reaching Benson area "we camped in the center of the place, the sky our ceiling, the ground our carpet! Ditch work was being done. It was now Thanksgiving time. He procured a timber from Alvah Fenn which he stretched our wagon cover with safety pins and a second large canvas, we made our new home walled in the south end. I pieced together sacks from the west side of our improvised tent. With stakes and corn stalks the east side took form; but this invited all the field mice and rats in the neigborhood. The gophers seemed to think it their picnic ground. They tunneled through from the nearby ditch making the dirt floor too damp.....(4:13)

Grace Jarvis Fenn
25 July 1888......24 Dec. 1967
by Daniel O. Jarvis

If, by definition, an Isrealite is one with unwavering faith in the living God, Grace Jarvis Fenn may be called a true daughter of the house of Isreal. If one may be called a pioneer who was born in a crude cabin, has traveled weary miles on foot or in wagon, has helped clear raw land and made home made soap, who, by countless tasks, with others, laid the foundations for the many blessings we enjoy today, then we may, with pride, call Aunt Grace a real pioneer.

I'm sure many of us have pondered the roles played in the drama of life and the casting of different personalities for the roles they were to play. I picture a great grandfather calmly writing the inspired words to "High on a Mountain Top", while journeying along in a freight wagon across endless wastes. And I can feel a great inner swelling, a humbling sort of thrill at the visions of a grandmother torn between home, husband, security or a hazardous crossing of the storm tossed deep to join the latter day gathering of Israel.

I see this women, outwardly serene, sit at an organ and try a new composition, the words of "Master the Tempest is Raging", to a musical arrangement. I can surmise that the great tempest was more truly in her own breast as she remembered the sacrifice in forsaking all for the words of a prophet of the newly restored church. The resulting turbulence came swelling up, perhaps, almost to overwhelm and engulf her in a sea of terrifing emotion.

Oh! Heavenly Father, we thank thee this day for such ancestors, and acknowledge before thee that thy daughter, Grace Fenn, is one of these, a pioneer princess in thy royal house.

Indeed these are the builders, the patient, the sacrificing, the self-denying, the uncomplaining. These are they whose endowments of charachter combined great patience in trials with great courage to face the tedious daily tasks essential to survival in a primative land.

The ingratitude that tends to accompany a veil of forgetfulness seems to aflict us of a later generation and is matched by a general apathy toward the struggle to perserve our heitage. In our reverance this day, in tribute at the departure of another noble pioneer, will you join me in rededcation to labor diligently to perserve these two inseperable blessings, the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and the freedom to proclaim it and live its principles.

Now may I reverently, though briefly, review for you some recorded information concerning the life of sister Grace Fenn. She lived 79 years and 5 months less one day. Samuel Walter Jarvis was her father. Shortly before his birth his parents, George and Ann Prior Jarvis had recognized the truthfulness of the gospel immediately upon hearing it preached and became members in England.

Coming to America, Samuel walked across the plains to Utah when 6 years of age. The family was called to settle in St. George. Samuel grew up with meager education, rugged, self reliant, fearless.

Frances Godfrey Defriez was a well educated and refined English girl of 18, small and gentle of disposition. She had just arrived in St. George with her mother and little but few souveneers of the prosperity voluntarily left. The marriage of these two literally symbolized the joining of pioneer resourcefulness and cultural refinement. It also explains, in part, the versatility of character and range of interests their 6th child, Grace, exhibited.

Grace was born in the small moutain colony of Corrales, Chihuahua, Mexico 25 July 1888. In all there were 12 children born to Samuel and Frances. There were many moves, from a temporary cabin to a wagon box camp site. Samuel contracted work on railroad and mines. It was a harsh life, particularly for Grace's mother.

A short autobiography written in her own hand has let us know the importance of education in her life. She named nearly every teacher in her young life and mentioned that once she attended school in a shelter made of cane walls and a sod roof. Split logs served as desks and chairs. Education continued to be a goal and she attended the academy at Colonia Juraez, Chihuahua.

During a period of much illness in the colonies Grace helped a number of families in their need, an early example of lifelong compassionate service.

Formal education completed, she taught school at Colonia Chuichupa, for a year before the saints were evacuated from Mexico in 1912. After about a year in Arizona a call was sent asking her to return and teach in the colonies. This request was accepted but was terminated shortly, something else was in the wind, for Grace had met a fine young Latter Day Saint.

Grace Jarvis and Parley Fenn were married in the Salt Lake Temple 8 April 1915. Thus a new role was opened for this capable young women of scholarly mind and compassionate heart. Within a few short years this hard working couple developed a large farm from mesquite land, struggling with an irrigation project from the unpredictable San Pedro River.

But of more importance, seven children blessed this farm home at Pomrene, Arizona. During these years all the joys and sorrows common to pioneer life were known to this family. All the children save one lived to raise families.

In her brief life story, Grace mentions two seperste occasions of either coming home establishing a new home at christmas time. Now what more appropriate time could there be for one to be returning home?

May I witness to you the convictions I feel at this time, though solemn to us, that a most joyous homecoming and faily reunion ocuured in the spirit world this christmas season. Father and husband Parley is there and two children of this grand family.

As a final staement of tribute and to point to a characteristic I believe she would most desire her growing posterity might posses, I will share with you this excerpt from a statement by her daughter Camilla Smith.

"Mother was a person of great faith. Many is the time she sat by the bed and held her hands on a fevered brow at the same time uttering a silent prayer.

She always set a good example in all she undertook to do and used the scriptures as her daily code of living. My memory recalls her studying by kereosene light before the children ever awakened in the morning and again at night the lamp was still glowing through the window as we returned home from MIA or school functions. Her Sunday School lessons were always prepared with great care and meditation and were not only a pleasure to listen to but satisfying to the soul."

That is a beautiful tribute from a daughter and shows this great characteristic of unwavering faith. The closing lines from Evans Stephens hymn. "Shall the Youth of Zion Falter?" seem especially fitting as a response to what must have been her final wish, "Faithful and true we will ever stand."

The Tempests and the storms are now at rest
Safely in the harbor her ship has come,
The turbulence, unguessed, that sometimes filled her breast
Is reconciled, old hurts are gone, Dear Grace is home.

As tears fill our eyes in remembering imperfections in ourselves, may we look up. May we recall the message of the angelic host at the birth of a babe in bethlehem, Peace on earth, good will toward men. May this peace be yours. May you ever cherish the memory of our departed loved one and when that day of reunion and reconciliation comes, may our eyes be lifted up in joy.

A letter written by Grace September 24, 1918

Dear Aunt,

Owing to the scattered condition of the family we have held no gathering this year.

Before Mother left for El Paso, in April she gave me $.60 to be sent in as the dime fund for herself, Lehi, Joseph, Benjamin, Ester, & Nellie. I did not send it then as I hoped to collect from all but have failed to do so. Will lives some twelve miles from here, I have only seen him three times this year & then just for a few minutes, so that other thoughts crowded my mind & I forgot to mintion about the donation to him. I have spoken both to Pa & Pearl but neither handed me their amount so from necessity can send very little. It seems to me that $.10 is a very small amount but that is what I was told to collect. I asked last year if that was all that was required; but recieved no answer. Enclosed please find P.O. money order for $ 1.30. Parley Fenn -.25, Grace Fenn -.25, Rey L. Fenn -.10, Olga Fenn -.10, Mother's - .60-- $1.30.

Olga was born Sept. 3rd 1918 at Pomerene, Arizona. Kindly fill in the record as I have no blank.

This has been a very dry year so that farming on a homestead has not been successful, but we have to live our time out whether or not Parley has had land rented under the ditch, so we hope to make good inspite of disadvantages.

I haven't heard from St. George for so long that I know nothing of conditions there.

Love to All
Lovingly Grace

The following is a letter written to Ella, from Grace June 25, 1944

Dear Cousin Ella,

I did appreciate your nice letter recieved some 6 mo ago & truly expected to answer then. I began answering in order of receiving messages but had less than half answered when other things claimed my attention & to date have never got back to it.

Early in March I told my daughter I must write Mabel & send my family membership dues, but alas tho I've kept it in mind that too has gone the same, so I'm enclosing same to you. All living children of Mother's family gathered at El Paso Texas for Sam's funeral May 4, his death came after an illness of a matter of hours. The Dr. pronounced it heat trouble. He died April 30th.

July 13 1944

I'm glad I had even written what I have. You will know I've at least had good intentions.

Yours of the 8th just recieved & least I procrastinate again I'm looking like the unkept farm women. I am & will not trust even to taking time out to tidy my self.

The girls say "Mother how did you used to manage..." I guess I'm gowing old... But actually I've never had more to do. My records are in shameful condition in fact the are nought personally I've never done research, But in hoping to futher Mother's line I sent the Genealogical Society a check & as nothing could be done, because of "Restricted Area", in England they switched to Scotland to the McEwan line & have to date sent me I believe 29 one family group sheets on the [top of page missing, lost words] has been worked up.

I sent another check & at last writing the society said it would be 2 or 3 months before returns would be made, so I hope in that way to have available some names.

Uncle Heber asked me about research at Mesa Temple, about the time you wrote last. At that time I was expecting Viola home, but her husband was not sent across & while she is with me now she is looking "Stock"ward so is unable to help out. Upon learning this I planned to have Camilla to to Mesa as soon as school closed but emergencies presented themselves which has failed that hope. Now I'm wondering what to do. Perhaps as our society has found it necessary to ask us to respond (because of neglect) I'd better send you the Miss Iengles(?) genealogist & have her look into books there from England....

Lehi & Clare have a new boy born 8 Dec 1943, at Red Bluffs California. Name Philip Mae Jarvis. Joseph & Minnie have had changes in their family, their eldest daughter Josephine who married 1st Alva Willis Jones 18 Mar 1938. Their daughter Barbara Lezel Jones born 29 Jan. 1939---above parents divorced 8 Feb 1943. Her present husband is ____ Stacey, Married 8 Feb 1943 at Alamo, Gordo, New Mexico.

2nd Daughter Wilma Jean Jarvis married J.M. Shepherd, 10 Feb 1940 at Los Cruses, New Mexico. Children Mary Shepherd, Bettie Jo Shepherd 28 Sept 1942 at Medford, Oregon, Died 29 Sept 1942. 3rd Daughter Flora......(see dates and etc. on personal Rin numbers.)

We are very dry in this area at present. I Don't know what might add that would be of interest.

With Love to all,
Grace

The following is a letter written by Grace to Mabel March 25, 1947

Dear Mabel:

Here I've procrastinated til the last hour!!... I'm with you in spirit today, if distance & circumstances do prohibit my presence. I've kept your invitation in my mind, in the hope some twin of affairs might bring about a rift & let me slip through.

Ranch people can't just "pick up" & leave nor even by putting in extra hours, make a vacation possible at a desired time. It requires that there must be some one to "carry on" in their absence, a thing we haven't, None of our children have settled around us. Camilla as you know is attending BYU & Eli is atending [words missing] absent from early morn til almost night. We have no near neighbors & no one we know of who could or would "take over" for us, neither inside or out. So even with modern transportation facilities we are still very much "home bound." Then too Parley's health has been wavering for many months. He still "puts in the day" but not as he used to do. He requires almost double the rest & then moves about slowly. I've hoped give up the ranch & farm life but to date he sees no alternative. I'm sorry to learn of Briggs ill health, & hope it has improved. I've wanted so to be at hte Temple there, with the group, perhaps I'll yet have that privilege. I expected a visit, a week ago from Hy & Fayne, something must have intervened or they found it necessary to change plans. Like wise Rey & Fern thought they would drive over from Los Angeles & present their girls, as we haven't seen the baby.

Many recent changes are going on in and around this valley, for instance the El Paso Natural Gas Co. are putting their lines thru to L.A. also and under ground telephome & television trans-continental line is being laid through. Health sukers[sic] & people from the East are proving in taking up vacant lots etc.. Wells are being put down here & there in the hope of transforming the [missing words] into production areas, at least making water available for ranch purposes etc.

My time has slipped away all too soon. I must put breakfast on. Enclosed find $5.00 I do not know who is the family secretary. Please see that it reaches the proper person. I did not send my dues in last year & maybe not the year before because I knew of no activity.

Thanks for your picture.

Love to all, write whenever opportunity permits.

Affectionately,

Grace

From notes in the PAF (genealogy) file by Pearl Jarvis Augustus.