Samuel W. Jarvis, 5th child and 3rd son of George Jarvis and Ann Prior, was born at Poplar England on outskirts of London. He first moved into this world 11:00 A.M. Wednesday April 18, 1855.

His parents heard and accepted the gospel in the year 1850. That same year on 20th of October a second son was born to George and Ann who was given the name of Brigham Young, as it had been revealed before his birth to father George that they were to have a son and he should be given the name of Brigham Young, thus Samuel also came to a highly spiritual home to began his life. While the family was sailing to Boston, Mass from Liverpool England on their way to Utah (they had passage on the ship George Washington), Samuel had his 2nd birthday on ship. During his fifth year, he walked with his family, all the way from Council Bluffs across the plains to Salt Lake City. They arrived in Salt Lake City A ug 4, 1860. They journeyed with the next to last company #9 of the hand cart companies. Part of the time he helped push a hand-cart in which a newly married bride rode. He also carried his own assigned portion of the family's belongings in his little carpet bag; this contained a metal powder flask and it saved "Sammy" from getting his leg broken, when he fell under the wheels of the wagon; the flask being twisted in a manner which proved the Lord was having him watched over. This seemed to be a forerunner of miracles and the Lord's protection throughout his lifetime, he had many close shaves with danger and numerous faith promoting experiences.

When the call was made by Brigham Young for volunteers to go to Southern Utah (Dixie) in 1861, George Jarvis joined that group, with his family and was the first man to choose and settle his family on a city lot in St. George. Thus began a new series of rugged life-style and stern responsibilities which the new community demanded of its men of all age groups. Sam, as he was known, carried a hod up ladders at the age of 15, to help in construction of the St. George Tabernacle and also aided in construction and painting of the St. George Temple. His father was acting supervisor of heavy work in the building of that Temple as well as Engineering the scaffolding used to build it.

Samuel and his wife Frances Godfrey Defriez were married in St. George Temple on Dec. 4, 1877, the first year the temple was used for endowments. (Samuel's brother Brigham and bride were the 1st couple to be married in St. George Temple.) Not very long after, Sam was called by Lot Smith and Jesse N. Smith, (both President of Stakes) to go on a frontier mission to Apache County, Arizona--Apr 6, 1879. Six years were spent in North Arizona where he knew some very tense Indians, outlaws, desperados and horse thieves and rough frontier life. Sam built homes at Snowflake and Nurioso. Then the invitation came for him to go to Old Mexico to help colonize during the raid of saints and early 1885. Just days after arrival there 4th child and 1st daughter was born may 2, 1885 at Asencion, near what is now known as Diaz, Chih. Mexico. About 2 years later Sam and family made a return trip to St. George, journeying across the Colorado river at Lee's Ferry. Their 5th child, a daughter also, was born May 4, 1987 at St. George. (She died when about 9 months old). The following year Sam moved his family back again to Mexico, this time to the mountains at a little place called Corales (near Pacheco) where they later also lived for 2 years, after staying for 5 or 6 years in Corales, Chihuahua., a move was then made to Colonia Juarez and in 1901 President A. W. Ivins gave Sam another call to help colonize in Sonora State. The year following brought extreme hardship because of heavy losses of crops and cattle with unusually high floods in the rivers, there, and men were forced to find employment elsewhere to survive and always caring fortheir families.

The town of Morelos was established about 22 miles south from the U.S. border where Douglas Arizona was later built. At Morelos a 12th child and 5th daughter was born April 7, 1902.

In Oct 1902 Sam marries a second wife (plural marriage) who bore him seven more fine children, the seventh died soon after birth at the time the mother, Pearley Dean Taylor Jarvis also died from an attack of Flu-pneumonia and birth complications

In the summer of 1908 Sam moved both families from Morelos in Sonora, to Colonia Dublan, in the State of Chihuahua, Mexico. Still another move, in late spring of 1909, took the families about 6 miles south of Dublan to the small community of Guadalupe, where they were making progress with homes, farm acreage and stock plus a merchandise business. In July 1912 or 13 the Mexican revolution had developed to the point that the people were advised to leave their homes and all belongings or risk loosing their families if they wished to remain there. The saints being specially advised by President Joseph F. Smith, and all U.S. citizens advised by President Wilson to leave Mexico and then come to the United States. All of Sam's family safely crossed the border, most at El Paso Texas, others at Douglas Arizona before Sam himself and young son Joseph then about 15 years old later took a few horses across with them to Arizona.

Some very trying years followed at Benson Arizona. During all those years in Mexico and between moves, Sam always kept busy, doing all sorts of construction work, building roads, bridges, railroad grades; freighting, and farming and raising cattle, almost every type of hard work. Sam did much work for large land owners - clearing, tilling and planting. He was successful on negotiating with the Mexican authorities and gained their respect. He was widely and well known for his honesty and integrity. Among many of the higher type Spanish segments, he was commonly known as "Don Samuel", a title of special distinction among the Mexican natives.

Of his children Sam demanded and received, close attention to his word, and strict, prompt obedience. His discipline was, at times dealt harshly, but soon afterward he was kind and forgiving again. He taught more by example, rather than precept, and for his fine examples in every way, he endeared himself to all who knew him. He had his employ, at various times, over a hundred men – mostly common Mexican laborers, some who left other Railroad grade camps to work for Sam after hearing of his good reputation and also his fair treatment of his men. He commanded much respect just being himself, other recognized his exemplifying qualities and his influence for good. Those whom he employed understood and obeyed his directing and almost without exception they and other associates showed a special kind of love and respect for him. Sam was a lover of nature and of animals, especially horses and was a good judge of horseflesh. Sam had a natural talent for noticing some high valuable silver mines in Mexico, which the Mexican government has widely confiscated. Sam's sense of duty and obligations together with a splendid sense of humor and Irish wit, helped to give him and insight and keen understanding which served him well in his regular endeavors, and he could always be relied on in emergencies to make the right decisions. He was genuinely industrious, with tireless effort. He had an unusually strong faith in God and retained his active faith in the principles of the Gospel. His undaunted courage proved his valor, even though he had very meager part-time schooling, to a 3rd grade level, he was an excellent mathematician and was in command of a broad vocabulary and much book learning.

Sam enjoyed music, rhythm, and social dancing. He would often dance the Irish jig and or Scotch highland steps to entertain, either at home or at social gatherings. He liked to tell humorous jokes and could make shadows on the wall dance, sword-swallow and do various other fun tricks. It was all surely wholesome amusement. Sam's many abilities and adaptations well qualified him for his multiple role as a most wonderful father, a real Pioneer, organizer-developer, frontiersman, an outstanding citizen and a real man worthy of the title or titles bestowed. He lived and worked in practically every Colony in Northern Mexico, in both states of Chihuahua and Sonora, with exception of perhaps Oxaca and Chuichupa. He used to quote a little saying, "Never plan work on Sunday, but if the Ox is in the mire--pull it out." He always attended Church and kept the Sabbath free from any and all undue encumbrances in every way possible. Sam Jarvis was prayerful and honorable man taught his family to walk uprightly and to forgive others their trespasses to do right and to avoid all evil.

Samuel Jarvis had the great gift of healing, and in many instances the miracle of healing was administered by him and restored health was received by others. At this writing, eleven of his children, 3 daughters and 8 sons are still living (July 18, 1973). Over 100 grand children and numerous great-grandchildren are also accounted for. Death took Samuel W. Jarvis February 1922 at Colonia Dublan, Mexico from complex causes of diabetes at age 67. In the years of life accorded Sam, he accomplished so much by living wholesome and by diligent adherence to gospel principals.

The following footnote by daughter Pearl Jarvis Augustus.

Mother loved the Lord and always kept all his commandments though she suffered persecutions and want, she never complained, and taught her children forgiveness and to love the lord.

Though He (Father) had much land, several homes and many cattle, his second family was left without support of any kind, Mothers family helped some but the oldest son Hyrum Taylor Jarvis went to work and helped in what way he could through all the years has been like a father to the younger brothers and sisters, and t hey have truly kept their mothers teachings.