Claridge Siblings All

I. TABLE of CONTENTS
II.
III. Claridge Picture Pedigree ........................................................................................... 1
IV. Billy Van Cole & Helen Ruth Claridge Family Group Sheet .......................................... 2
V. Billy Van Cole Line of Authority .................................................................................... 5
VI. Billy Van Cole Story ..................................................................................................... 6
VII. Helen Ruth Claridge Story ............................................................................................. 7
VIII. Roy Monroe Claridge & Marcia Gardner Family Group Sheet .................................... 10
IX. Roy Monroe Claridge Line of Authority ...................................................................... 13
X. Roy Monroe Claridge Story ........................................................................................ 14
XI. Marcia Gardner Story ................................................................................................. 17
XII. James Duane Claridge & Kathy Jean Ehlers Family Group Sheet ............................. 20
XIII. James Duane Claridge Line of Authority .................................................................... 23
XIV. James Duane Claridge Story ..................................................................................... 24
XV. Kathy Jean Ehlers Story ............................................................................................ 26
XVI. Monroe Claridge & Lucille Wilkins Family Group Sheet ............................................. 30
XVII. Monroe Claridge Line of Authority .............................................................................. 33
XVIII. Monroe Claridge & Lucille Wilkins Family Tree .......................................................... 34
XIX. Monroe Claridge Story ............................................................................................... 35
XX. Lucille Wilkins Story ................................................................................................... 36
XXI. Hyrum Claridge & Susan Ann Moody Family Group Sheet ........................................ 38
XXII. Hyrum Claridge Line of Authority ............................................................................... 41
XXIII. Hyrum Claridge & Susan Ann Moody Family Tree ..................................................... 42
XXIV. Hyrum Claridge Story ................................................................................................. 43
XXV. Susan Ann Moody Story ............................................................................................ 45
XXVI. Samuel Claridge & Rebecca Hughes Family Group Sheet ........................................ 47
XXVII. Samuel Claridge & Rebecca Hughes Family Tree ..................................................... 51
XXVIII. Samuel Claridge Story ............................................................................................... 52
XXIX. Rebecca Hughes Story .............................................................................................. 54
XXX. David Claridge & Elizabeth Pratt Hopkins Family Group Sheet .................................. 56
XXXI. John Hughes & Rebecca Maddocks Family Group Sheet .......................................... 59
XXXII. John Monroe Moody & Elizabeth Poole Family Group Sheet ..................................... 62
XXXIII. John Monroe Moody Story ......................................................................................... 65
XXXIV. Elizabeth Pool Story ................................................................................................... 67
XXXV. John Wyatt Moody & Mary Baldwin Family Group Sheet ........................................... 71
XXXVI. John Wyatt Moody Story ............................................................................................ 72
XXXVII. Daniel Poole & Elizabeth Miller Family Group Sheet ................................................. 74
XXXVIII. Edwin Grandville Wilkins & Helen Vilate Greenhalgh Family Group Sheet ................ 75
XXXIX. Edwin Grandville Wilkins & Helen Vilate Greenhalgh Family Tree ............................. 77
XL. Edwin Grandville Wilkins Story .................................................................................. 78
Helen Vilate Greenhalgh Story .................................................................................... 78
Alexander Wilkins Jr. & Charlotte York Carter Family Group Sheet ........................... 80

i

XLI. Alexander Wilkins Jr. & Charlotte York Carter Family Tree ........................................ 83
XLII. Alexander Wilkins Jr. Story ........................................................................................ 84
XLIII. Charlotte York Carter Story ........................................................................................ 86
XLIV. Alexander Wilkins Sr. & Alice Malena Barney Family Group Sheet ........................... 88
XLV. Alexander Wilkins Sr. Story ........................................................................................ 91
XLVI. Alice Malena Barney Story ......................................................................................... 93
XLVII. John Gansworth Wilkins & Nancy Adeline Kennedy Family Group Sheet .................. 96
XLVIII. John Gansworth Wilkins Story ................................................................................... 97
XLIX. Nancy Adeline Kennedy Story ................................................................................... 98
Edson Barney & Lillis Ballou Family Group Sheet .................................................... 103
L. Edson Barney Story ................................................................................................. 104
LI. Lillis Ballou Story ..................................................................................................... 107
LII. William Furlsbury Carter & Sarah York Family Group Sheet .................................... 110
LIII. William Furlsbury Carter Story ................................................................................. 111
LIV. Sarah York Story ..................................................................................................... 115
LV. John Carter & Hannah Knight Libby Family Group Sheet ........................................ 117
LVI. John Carter Story ..................................................................................................... 119
LVII. Hannah Knight Libby Story ...................................................................................... 122
LVIII. Joseph Greenhalgh & Lucretia McBride Family Group Sheet .................................. 124
LIX. Joseph Greenhalgh & Lucretia McBride Family Tree ............................................... 127
LX. Joseph Greenhalgh Story ........................................................................................ 128
LXI. Lucretia McBride Story ............................................................................................. 128
LXII. William Greenhalgh & Mary Clough Family Group Sheet ......................................... 129
LXIII. William Greenhalgh & Mary Clough Story ................................................................ 131
LXIV. William McBride & Helen Janet Murray Family Group Sheet ................................... 133
LXV. William McBride Story .............................................................................................. 133
LXVI. Helen Janet Murray Story ........................................................................................ 135
LXVII. 14 Great, Great, Great Grandparents in Nauvoo ....................................................... 140
LXVIII. Adam to the Claridges ............................................................................................. 141
LXIX. Charlemagne to Claridges ....................................................................................... 142
LXX.

ii

Helen Ruth Claridge
Roy Monroe Claridge
James Duane Claridge

3 Claridges History – 1

Family Group Sheet

Husband Billy Van Cole

Birth 12 Apr 1927 Keota, Haskell, Oklahoma B: 2 Jan 1954
E: 5 Jun 1964 ARIZO
Blessing SP: 23 Apr 1994 ARIZO
SS: 5 Jun 1964 ARIZO
Death 23 Jan 2008 Thatcher, Graham, Arizona
B: 7 Aug 1938
Marriage 9 Feb 1951 Safford, Graham, Arizona E: 5 Jun 1964 ARIZO
SP: 2 Jul 1948 ARIZO
Father Doke Carson Cole (1886-1964)
B: 31 Oct 1959
Mother Carrie Huff (1893-1950) E: 26 Sep 1970 ARIZO
SP: 5 Jun 1964 ARIZO
WIFE Helen Ruth Claridge SS: 5 Nov 1977 ARIZO

Birth 5 Jul 1930 Safford, Graham, Arizona B: 3 Dec 1960
E: 12 Dec 1970 ARIZO
Blessing 3 Aug 1930 Safford, Graham, Arizona SP: 5 Jun 1964 ARIZO
SS: 19 Dec 1970 ARIZO
Death
B: 5 Oct 1963
Father Monroe Claridge (1903-1968) E: 12 Mar 1999 ARIZO
SP: 5 Jun 1964 ARIZO
Mother Lucille Wilkins (1907-1985) SS: DNS

CHILDREN

M Wm. Jeffry Cole

Birth 23 Oct 1951 Safford, Graham, Arizona

Blessing 2 Dec 1951 Safford, Graham, Arizona

Death

Marriage 1 Jul 1975 Janet Carpenter (Div)

F Jennifer Cole

Birth 5 Nov 1952 Safford, Graham, Arizona

Blessing 4 Jan 1953 Safford, Graham, Arizona

Death

Marriage 19 Dec 1970 Richard Alan Bryce

F Julie Cole

Birth 10 Sep 1955 Safford, Graham, Arizona

Blessing 2 Oct 1955 Safford, Graham, Arizona

Death

Marriage 18 Aug 1973 Robert Carl Johnson Jr.

Wm. Jeffry M 2nd Lorraine Hannah 26 Jan 2001 ARIZO
Julie M 2nd Wayne Darrell Rapier 29 Oct 1992 (Div)

M 3rd Jay Dee Harris 16 Mar 2001 (Div)
M 4th Brandon Mike Hancock SS: GILAV 30 Apr 2011

2 – 3 Claridges History

3 Claridges History – 3

Billy Van Cole & Helen Ruth Claridge

M Wm. Jeffery Cole – 23 Oct 1951 Janet Carpenter (Div) 1 Feb 1952

B: Safford, Graham, AZ - B: Mesa, Maricopa, AZ

F Jenifer Cole – 5 Nov 1952 Richard Alan Bryce 20 Nov 1952

B: Safford, Graham, AZ - B: Safford, Graham, AZ

F Julie Cole – 10 Sep 1955 Robert Carl Johnson Jr. (Div) 30 Sep 1952

B: Safford, Graham, AZ B: Austin, Travis, TX

4 – 3 Claridges History

Line of Authority
Billy Van Cole

3 Claridges History – 5

Billy Van Cole

Billy Van Cole was born 12 Apr 1927 in Cartersville, Haskell,
Oklahoma, the fifth son of Doke Carson Cole and Carrie Huff. Bill
was raised in the during the depression years of the 1930’s. No one
had any money so no one thought they were poor. The Cole’s
always had plenty to eat raised mostly in their big garden, had cows,
chickens and pigs. It was Bill’s chore to carry buckets of water to
water each plant in the garden during the summer.
Bill learned to work at an early age. He and his brothers would work for the farmers on
shares. For every 10 sacks of potatoes picked they got one. This gave them potatoes for the
year. They would help when all the families got together to butcher the animals, dig wild
onions and pick blackberries along the railroad tracks.
Because they had no central heating – the wood stove in the kitchen and a potbellied stove
in the living room was all they had to keep them warm in the cold winters in Oklahoma. With
no indoor plumbing – the bathroom was and 2 hole outhouse about 25 yards from the house.
On cold mornings when their feed hit the cold floor they would head at a run for the outhouse.
Bill started school when he was 6 years old. The rule in the Cole home was if you get
disciplined at school you got it again at home – Bill accumulated a lot of double spankings.
The razor strap in the Cole home got plenty of use and helped keep the boys in line. The
school had a gym in the basement where he started playing basketball. Later a real gym was
built to play in.
Because we didn’t have much money – when Christmas came around we would wake up
early and rush in to find our specific chair with an apple, orange, nuts and one present. One
Christmas bill got a pocket knife that he carried for years – a bicycle from his brother J.C.
Bill’s first big job at age 13 was head projectionist at the local movie theater in Keota at $5
a week. He bought all his own clothes and had some left over for his mother to help with the
expenses of the family. At age 14 the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. All his brothers went
to war. Lewis was in Tucson, Arizona and wrote his parents to come there because of the
good jobs. In Bill’s sophomore year they moved to Tucson and enrolled at Amphitheater High
School. The home they found was a couple of blocks from the school which made it
convenient to walk since they had no car. The gym had concrete for a floor and the football
field had no grass – in spite of that they had good athletic teams. Bill played end on the
football team & held the record for receptions for 3 or 4 years – he played center or forward on
the basketball team averaging 23 points a game. He made the All-State teams in both
basketball and football his junior and senior year.
One summer working for the Trinidad Creamery he learned to drive – the boss dropped
him off to pick up a truck – since Bill had never owned a car he learned driving it back to the
plant. Another summer while working as a life guard he would ride to work with his friend on a
Harley Davidson motorcycle. That was his first introduction to cycling.
In 1945 Bill graduated from High School and the next morning at 5:00 o’clock shipped out
on a Greyhound Bus to San Diego to go through the Navel Training Station boot camp. Before

6 – 3 Claridges History

he was to get to Pearl Harbor the war was over. Bill saw lots of countries that he would not
have been able to see. After his 2 years in the Navy he was discharged in Long Beach.

Bill and some friends decided to go Gila Jr. College in Thatcher. Bill didn’t even know
where that was at the time. Tuition was cheap and his G.I. Bill would cover most of the rest.
He went to work at the Arizona Lodge Bar, was on the basketball team & was Freshman Class
President.

Bill met Helen Ruth Claridge and they hit it off – they were married 9 Feb 1951 at the
Claridge home 1212 Central Ave in Safford. They lived in Safford, then Tucson and back to
Safford to work at the Std. Oil Co. for Monroe. They had 3 kids – Wm. Jeffery, Jennifer &
Julie. After Monroe passed away – Bill took over the Standard Oil Company and finally
became a Jobber.

Bill was involved in the Lion’s Club for several years as Secretary and then President. He
then became a member of the Rotary Club, was president one year and then a District
Governor Representative of Rotary. He helped organize the Little League Baseball program in
Safford. They moved to Thatcher across the street from EAJC on Stadium Ave. Bill ran for
County Supervisor and was a member of the Chamber of Commerce. During this time he was
the Voice of the Bulldogs on the radio for 22 years. He played softball, bowled a lot and finally
up until his death played a lot of golf. They bought the Casa Manana restaurant for their kids
to run.

During these times Bill always had a good motor cycle. He and Helen traveled extensively
all over the United States from California to Maine – over 250,000 miles in 24 years. Bill and
Helen served in the Tallahassee Florida Mission and then a in the Mesa Arizona Temple
Mission.

Because of economic crises the Valley Bank closed down the Std. Oil Co. and Bill went to
work for the Thatcher Schools. They did not know what they did before he came – he could do
anything and the kids at the school loved him.

After a short illness, Billy Van Cole passed away 23 Jan 2008 at his home in Thatcher,
Graham, Arizona and was buried 28 Jan 2008 in the Claridge Plot – Safford Union Cemetery,
Safford, Arizona.

Helen Ruth Claridge

Helen Ruth Claridge was born 5 Jul 1930 in Safford, Graham,
Arizona to Monroe Claridge and Lucille Wilkins. She was named
after her grandmother Helen Vilate Greenhalgh, her great
grandmother Helen Janet Murray, and her great-great grandmother
Helen Elizabeth Sarvice.

When Helen was in kindergarten, the family moved to a home on
2nd Avenue. When she started the 1st grade they moved to a home on
Main Street in Safford across from Aunt Elizabeth Crandall. She loved to
skate and spent every minute she could skating up and down Main Street.

Helen had two brothers – Roy and Jim ( all of the children born 4 years apart). After Jim
was born the family moved to their new home on Relation Street that had been built by her dad
and grandfather Ned (Edwin) Wilkins. It was next door to Granny and Ned. Here she started
the 4th grade.

3 Claridges History – 7



















Marcia Gardner
I am so grateful for the goodly family I was born into. As I read of my heritage I feel the
weight of carrying on the great example they left for me to follow. So here is my feeble attempt
to follow in their footsteps. My parents are Mark Valentine Gardner from Woodruff AZ and
Inez Rogers Gardner from Snowflake AZ. They were living in Woodruff at the time of my
entering their lives at Mark’s parent’s home. Grandma Gardner was the attending nurse since
I was born at home.

We lived in several small towns in the beginning and then Mother got an opportunity to
teach school in Pomerene where her cousin James Kartchner was the Principal. Dad worked
in Tucson and commuted back and forth for a year and then we all moved to Marana. While
there the twins, Janette and Jeanette joined our family. Dad worked for Cortaro Farms so we
lived in their company homes for a few years, one of the homes was flooded out so we moved
to Cortaro to a home about where the Cracker Barrel is today. Valene came to our family while
we lived in Cortaro. Because we lived quite a distance from the chapel in Tucson and it was
during WWII and gas being rationed we didn’t make it to church very often.

I attended through the fourth grade at the Marana Schools. Mrs. Lemon my first grade
teacher was my favorite teacher always. In the third grade one day they let me bring my little
sisters to school. Can you imagine what that would be like, an eight year old taking care of two
four year olds in a classroom full of children? What were they thinking? I also remember the
day President FD Roosevelt passed away, they let school out and we were all taken home
early. After school was out the young children waited to ride the school bus home with the
high school kids, I always felt that they were my friends. One day I was feeling really sick and
had to wait for the bus so I just laid there on the playground and waited curled up in my coat.
As it turned out I had the measles and was put to bed for several days, with the room
darkened. It was thought that light would cause possible blindness with measles.

We started to build our house on Romero when I was in the fourth grade. We would go
pick up large boulders out in the desert to put in the foundation. Then after work and on
Saturdays we would come to help Dad. The house was done enough so that we could move in
at the beginning of fifth grade. I began going to Flowing Wells then and continued through
ninth grade. I was very happy to finally live close enough to the church so that we could attend.
I guess I have always had a testimony of Jesus Christ and the gospel because I have always
loved going to church.

After graduating from Flowing Wells I decided to attend Tucson High since most of my
church friends went there. So for three years I attended a very large school. One year we
went split sessions and I graduated with 908 other Badgers. My parents were anxious for me
to continue my education so I started that summer at the University of Arizona. I will confess
that I wasn’t that interested in school but going to the Institute and being involved with all of the
activities that went on there was great! One day I happened to be walking down the porch
when this new returned missionary happened to walk by, and the next day we became
acquainted better, especially when he asked me on a picnic up on Mt Lemmon. Well, I had the
car but it really wasn’t mine so I called my Dad to see if it would be alright if I took it and this
new friend up to Mt. Lemmon. My Dad was a quick thinker and replied that he thought that I

3 Claridges History – 17

was taking Roger, my little 7 year old brother, to the rodeo. (First I knew about it!) Anyway Roy
Claridge and I ended up at the Tucson Rodeo with Roger on my 20th birthday and our first of
many dates. Everything turned out just right and we haven’t returned to the rodeo since.

Roy and I began our lives together six months later at the Mesa Arizona Temple on August
17, 1957, Monroe Claridge’s birthday. Soon we were both attending the UofA and caretaking
a little church near there. The next summer due to circumstances we found ourselves in Provo
with Roy going to BYU. And in October Melvin Roy Claridge joined our family. We lived in
Grandpa and Grandma Rogers basement and had a wonderful year being close to our family
there. Next year it was back to Safford where Roy began his teaching career, a nice
opportunity to meet and enjoy all of the family and friends that Roy knew during his growing up
years. Just before our move back to Tucson Michelle Joined us. We bought a new home in
the Flowing Wells area and Roy taught Spanish there at the High School and coached track
and helped with Basketball. Our family really grew during this time, Melody, Michael Trent, and
Matthew Brian all joined us in a timely manner. We were very happy there then Roy decided
he needed more schooling so we went to Morenci, AZ for a year to give him an opportunity as
an intern. We had a fun time there, but we didn’t want to stay. Back to our wonderful
neighborhood and this time Roy worked at the UofA in the College of Education working
himself up to Associate Dean. There was one more young man, Nathan Monroe, to join our
family and he arrived just as Roy received his PhD. One of the boys said, “My Dad’s a doctor
but not the kind that helps people.”

One of the opportunities that we all enjoyed very much was having Lamanite children live
with us off and on for many years. We had five young men, Alfred Yazzie, Ronald Carroll,
Michael Stephens, Gary Nez, Ronald Bee and one young lady, Tari Ann Carroll. It was a
learning experience for all of us but a wonderful blessing. We loved each one of them. We
also had three foreign exchange students come and stay with us that we also enjoyed and
learned from, Alfonso Ursay, Jaime Santos, and Philippe.

During the years my time was spent in caring for the family and all of their activities, and
doing the things the Lord called me to do. I found joy in working with the Primary and then the
Relief Society as the Homemaking Leader. As the children grew their interests changed and
increased and so did mine. I spent many enjoyable hours in the Young Women, Roadshows,
Young Women Camp, and Stake Productions. These productions were a real challenge and a
learning experience for all involved and we also made friendships that will last forever. We did
‘Music Man’, The King and I”, “Brigadoon”, and ‘Fiddler on the Roof” and then they decided I
needed to grow up so I was called to Relief Society where I served for many fulfilling years.
Being there to send our children on missions and then have them come home ready to begin
their own families and then take them to the Lord’s house for that wonderful occasion has been
a highlight of my life. It doesn’t end there because when each new Spirit comes into our life
what a joyous occasion that is. I am so grateful for the gift of families that Heaven Father has
given to us.

The last several years have brought interesting challenges, blessings, and rewards. We
were called upon to care for my aging parents and moving into a smaller home to help in the
process. Our family grew in many ways and we love each one. We were privileged to serve a

18 – 3 Claridges History

mission in Orlando Florida, what a wonderful experience that was. Upon returning we were
called to serve on Mt. Lemmon at Camp Zion, the church Youth Camp, for four years. That
was so much fun it shouldn’t be called service. Since then we have spent the time getting
used to each other, slowing down and trying to get our yard, home and garden looking like
someone cares. The Gospel is true, the Lord loves us, our family is doing well, and Roy and I
still love each other after going to that rodeo 57 years ago.
Our family as of August 2014: Six children, five married, 28 grandchildren, 4 married, 3 great-
grandchildren

3 Claridges History – 19

Family Group Sheet

HUSBAND James Duane Claridge

Birth 31 Jan 1939 Safford, Graham, Arizona B: 2 Feb 1947
E: 9 Jun 1959 SLAKE
Blessing 5 Mar 1939 Safford, Graham, Arizona SP: 2 Jul 1948 ARIZO
SS: 24 Mar 1964 LANGE
Death
B: 28 Mar 1953
Marriage 24 Mar 1964 Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California E: 19 Mar 1964 LANGE
SP: 29 Jan 1946 SLAKE
Father Monroe Claridge (17 Aug 1903 – 21 Apr 1968)
B: 3 Feb 1973
Mother Lucille Wilkins (9 Jan 1907 – 12 May 1985) E:
SP: BIC
WIFE Kathy Jean Ehlers SS:

Birth 22 Mar 1945 Salt Lake City, S.L., Utah B: 2 Nov 1975
E: 15 Jan 1987 ARIZO
Blessing 6 May 1945 Salt Lake City, S.L., Utah SP: BIC
SS: 3 Mar 1989 ARIZO
Death 5 Sep 2010 Mesa, Maricopa, Arizona
B: 11 Mar 1978
Burial 10 Sep 2010 Safford, Graham, Arizona E: 7 Mar 1992 ARIZO
SP: BIC
Father Joseph Fredrick Ehlers (1917 – 1990) SS: 14 Mar 1992 ARIZO

Mother Rose Ida Rosenhan (1916 – 1999) B: 25 Dec 1982
E: 1 Dec 1993 ARIZO
CHILDREN SP: BIC
SS: 12 Sep 1997 ARIZO
F Symantha Jean Claridge
B: 27 Nov 1986
Birth 31 Jan 1965 Safford, Graham, Arizona E: 12 Jul 1997 ARIZO
SP: BIC
Blessing SS: 18 Jul 1997 ARIZO

Death B: Child
E: Child
Marriage SP: BIC
SS:
M David Duane Claridge

Birth 1 Oct 1967 Mesa, Maricopa, Arizona

Blessing

Death

Marriage 3 Mar 1989 Kathleen Jones

F Carolee Claridge

Birth 10 Mar 1970 Mesa, Maricopa, Arizona

Blessing 3 May 1970 Mesa, Maricopa, Arizona

Death

Marriage 14 Mar 1992 Russell Louis Burnham

M Jeremy Joseph Claridge

Birth 6 Dec 1974 Mesa, Maricopa, Arizona

Blessing Mesa, Maricopa, Arizona

Death

Marriage 12 Sep 1997 Sarah Elizabeth Ellsworth

F Amanda Claridge

Birth 9 Nov 1978 Mesa, Maricopa, Arizona

Blessing Mesa, Maricopa, Arizona

Death

Marriage 18 Jul 1997 Matthew Stephen Harms

M James Clayton Claridge

Birth 19 Oct 1989 Mesa, Maricopa, Arizona

Blessing 19 Oct 1989 Mesa, Maricopa, Arizona

Death 3 Nov 1989 Mesa, Maricopa, Arizona

Burial 5 Nov 1989 Safford, Graham, Arizona

20 – 3 Claridges History

3 Claridges History – 21

James Duane Claridge M – 24 Mar 1964 Kathy Jean Ehlers

B 31 Jan 1939 – Safford, Graham, Arizona 22 Mar 1945 – Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah
D 5 Sep 2010 – Mesa, Maricopa, Arizona
B 10 Sep 2010 – Safford, Graham, Arizona
1 Symantha Jean Claridge 31 Jan 1965 - Safford, Graham, Arizona
6 James Clayton Claridge 19 Oct 1989 – Mesa, Maricopa, Arizona
B: 5 Nov 1989 – Safford, Graham, Arizona
D: 3 Nov 1989 – Mesa, Maricopa, Arizona

22 – 3 Claridges History

Line of Authority
James Duane Claridge

3 Claridges History – 23

James Duane Claridge

James Duane Claridge was born 31 Jan 1939 in Safford, Graham,
Arizona to Monroe Claridge and Lucille Wilkins – at home in a little house
on Main Street. He was the 3rd child having two siblings (Helen Ruth &
Roy Monroe). He was given the name of Ned Quinton Claridge – but when
he was blessed – Monroe gave him the name of James Duane Claridge.
When he was in the 8th grade preparing to go out for sports in High School, he had to produce
a birth certificate. Affidavits were obtained and signed by the nurse attending the birth and his
name was changed to James Duane Claridge.
Shortly after Jim was born, Monroe and his grandpa Ned built a home on Relation Street
where the family moved to. This was a fancy 2 bedroom home with a basement for a 3rd
bedroom. It was built next to Grandpa Ned and Grandma Helen. It had a nice front yard and
backyard with a barn in the rear and a couple of acres of pasture.
When Jim was 6 the family moved to Tucson. The family lived in a couple of homes there
one where the U of A Stadium is currently located. Roy told everyone that his little brother was
adopted just because I looked funny and ate raw potatoes.
After Tucson the family moved to McNary, Arizona for a year. Jim’s dad was given the
Wholesale Distributorship in Safford – so he moved the family back to the Relation Street
home. Monroe traded a barrel of oil for a horse in Pima since we had a barn and pasture.
This is where Jim grew up and attended grade school and Jr. High school. He was Jr. High
President and had to give one of the speeches at graduation.
Monroe made a deal with the Morris family and traded the home and land for a home at
1212 Central Ave. This is the home Jim lived in during the High School years. Jim took
Vocational Agriculture at Safford High School – for a project he went to Idaho for the summer
and worked on the Jack Ingle & Kenneth Johns ranch in Mtn. Home. Jim played sports – made
the all-conference team in basketball – held the Class A high hurdle record at the Arizona
Relays at ASU from 1957-1975. He was Senior Class President (gave the graduation
speech), Graduated from Seminary and was given the Athletic Award his senior year.
When it was time for him to go to college Monroe bought a home further out on Relation
Street. Lucile loved that new house and Jim liked it since he was going to Eastern Arizona
College, it was closer to Thatcher to go to school. He signed up for Agriculture courses and
went out for basketball. Jim made the team and was a regular starter for two years –
averaging over 10 points per game. Monroe, Lucille & Jim lived on Relation St. for 2 years
until Jim was called on a mission to the West Central States with headquarters in Billings
Montana. While serving he labored in many towns in Montana, Wyoming & in both the
Dakotas. Jim’s last 6 months he served as a Traveling Elder helping many of the missionaries
in the mission. Monroe did not like the payments on the new home and while Jim was on his
mission they moved back to the house on Central Ave.
As soon as Jim came home from his mission he went to Idaho to work on the Ingle ranch –
at the end of the summer he enrolled in College of Agriculture at the University of Arizona in
Tucson. After 2 more years he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Education.
There being no jobs in Arizona he interviewed for a teaching job in San Pedro, California
teaching gardening. Going to M-Men & Gleaners (young adults) Jim met Kathy Jean Ehlers.

24 – 3 Claridges History

A short engagement occurred and they were sealed in the Los Angeles Temple 24 Mar 1964.
At the end of the school year Jim & Kathy moved to Safford and Jim went to work for Monroe
to help out at the Standard Oil Company. After a year Jim applied and got a job teaching
Agriculture at Casa Grande High School for one year and then received an assistantship to get
his Master’s Degree at the University of Arizona. While there the head of the department
passed away and he filled in teaching Agricultural Education classes. After receiving his
Master’s Degree – Jim signed a contract to start the Agricultural Program at Mesa Community
College – he stated there 1 Jul 1967. He was head of the Agricultural Department for 30 years
and then taught ½ time for 5 years. He was Jr. College Agricultural Teacher of the year in
1975 for the state of Arizona. During these years he helped design and install a Zeroscape
project at Mesa Community College that won a national award. He was an author of many
books on Soils, Horticulture, Gardening and Landscape Design. His classes installed many
small student sitting areas around the college. Jim drew 100’s of Landscape designs for
individuals and commercial buildings throughout Arizona. He taught classes for the Arizona
Nurseryman’s Association and many seminars throughout Maricopa County.

Jim & Kathy bought a home on Delta and painted it for the down payment. They sold that
home and moved to Tempe for a year but did not like it there and moved back to Mesa on
Garnet Ave. They purchased the 1st house in Emerald Acres subdivision just behind the Mesa
South Stake Center. Jim built a house across the street with an apartment on it where Lucille
(Jim’s mother) and Rose (Kathy’s mother) both lived for 7 years each. Many summers were
spent camping on the rim past Strawberry. Jim always wanted a cabin so land was purchased
in Strawberry, Arizona and Jim built Kathy a cabin so she would not have to rough it camping.

Jim was called to be the Weblo Leader, Scoutmaster, Bishopric 2nd Counselor, High
Councilman and Stake Executive Secretary. In 2000 they purchased a Condo in East Mesa
across the 60 freeway from the Superstition Springs Mall. They spent a lot of time at the
cabin and moved up there to make it their home.

In 2002 Jim & Kathy went for 18 months to the Honolulu Hawaii Mission serving at the
Polynesian Cultural Center. Jim was responsible for the 42 acres of plants, a 24 man crew to
clean, landscape & care for the center. His big responsibility was to teach the landscape crew
the principles of Horticulture, design projects and complete the projects. He served in the high
council in the Singles Stake at BYU Hawaii.

After the mission, Jim and Kathy lived in Strawberry at the cabin for a year & a half. Kathy
was Relief Society President and Jim was Ward Clerk. They then moved back to Mesa to live
in the condo to be close to the family. Jim was set apart as a volunteer Horticulturalist for the
Mesa Arizona Temple Sep 2006.

In 2007 they went back to the Polynesian Cultural Center for 3 months to help move the
Iosepa (catamaran sailing boat) into the Hawaiian Village in the center. With enough faith you
can move a mountain – but it is a lot easier if you have Tofa and a backhoe.

Jim and Kathy returned home and after some time Kathy became ill. She had a brain
tumor that was removed in 9 Oct 2009. It returned and Jim’s beloved Kathy passed away 5
Sep 2010. Kathy was buried in the Claridge plot in the Safford Union Cemetery 10 Sep 2010.

In November 2010 Jim returned to the Polynesian Cultural Center and edited a book about
plants for the center. After returning home Jim completed a book on just Trees of Polynesia.

3 Claridges History – 25

Kathy Jean Ehlers

Kathy Jean Ehlers was born to Fredrick Joseph Ehlers and Rose
Ida Rosenhan 22 March 1945 in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah.
Her Certificate of Birth says a daughter was born - her folks had
to apply and get a certificate that was a Notification of Birth
Registration then had to apply for a certificate of Live Birth –
thus Kathy Jean Ehlers became a real live person in this the
United States of America. She lived at 2876 Hartford Street, Salt
Lake City until the age of three when the family moved to southern
California.

Kathy was tall and a little over weight as she was growing up.
Because of this she was teased a lot and she learned to be quiet and go about her business
keeping to herself. Her parents tried very hard to build her up and bring her out of her shell.
While going to kindergarten in Inglewood she was happy playing with the wooden blocks and
loved to play store. Her mother stuffed some bread wrappers and got some empty cans and a
milk carton to contribute to the class store. One day she got a metal silver in her thumb and
was sent home where her brother Steve took out the sliver and bandaged her thumb.

One time while playing in the neighbor’s big back yard under the Eucalyptus trees where all
the kids congregated, her dad Fred put on a realistic gorilla suit and came into the yard. Kathy
was terrified and all the other kids scattered – Kathy just stood there with her hands covering
her eyes and prayed that she would die quickly.

The neighbors on the other side were LDS and good friends of Kathy’s parents (Harpers).
One day her mother (Rose) put a quarter on Sister Camille Harper’s kitchen table, Kathy
figured it was OK to take it and walked to the corner market and bought 5 pencils. Her mother
asked her where she got the money and when she told her, Rose made her take the pencils
back and return the quarter. This was a lesson that she never forgot.

At a young age she started her favorite career. She was in a Ballet Recital with her class
mates. This was just the beginning of coming out of her shell. When Kathy as almost a year
and a half while shopping with her grandmother Ehlers - she mistook a bottle of cleaning fluid
for water and was taken to the hospital. When Kathy was 3 a man tried to take her but thanks
to some neighbors she was saved from the ordeal.

When Kathy was growing up she always had a dog or a cat to play with. Her folks did not
have any way to keep them penned up so they were always getting run over if they strayed
from the yard. Kathy had one German shepherd named King that was a great dog – she
would play with him all the time. Some neighbor did not like King and poisoned him.

When they lived in Redondo Beach, Grandma Ehlers would come down from Salt Lake City
to visit. She always brought candy and would cook the best meals. She used a lot of lard and
fried a lot of the food. Rose would always suffer from the cooking and found out later that she
had ulcers. One time grandma slipped in the tub and Kathy had to help her out since there
was no 911 to call in those days.

26 – 3 Claridges History



















honorably discharged from the Guard at the end of his enlistment. At this time it was stated
that he had black eyes, black hair, with a dark completion and was 5’ 11” tall.

Monroe spent his courting days herding Model T fords to dances and one night the water
washed out the bridge – he let the air out of the tires and rode the rails home. During this
courting the twinkle in Lucille Wilkin’s eye was contagious and their mutual attraction caused
them to be married on Lucille’s birthday 9 January 1929 by Bishop Joseph Greenhalgh.
Monroe came to see her and said he was the present. They started on their honeymoon –
staying one night in Globe and one I Miami before returning home. Their first home was the
Marrow apartments in Thatcher – the old Samuel and Rebecca home.

Besides Monroe working for his father – he worked in the grocery store in Thatcher. When
macaroni came out it was 12 cents a box. No one wanted to buy it – Monroe opened a bunch
of boxes, dumping them on the floor, put up a sign “2 boxes for 25 cents” – they sold it all. He
worked at the Big Six Blacksmith Shop in Thatcher after he married and then for the Standard
Oil Company until his death.

Monroe was the area Salesman for many years in the Gila Valley – in 1941 he transferred
to Tucson – in 1942 he accepted the Wholesale Distributorship in McNary, Arizona – 14 Jul
1944 he was appointed the Wholesale Distributor for Safford and vicinity. He received the 35
hear service pin 6 Nov 1964 – he operated the Safford distributorship until his accidental death
in 1968 when he fell off his delivery truck.

Monroe was very active in civic affairs – as president of the Safford Rotary Club & Pres. of
the 3G Council Boy Scouts – he was able to buy land by the swimming pool for $1, get all the
contractors in the area together and with the help of Dr. Nelson build a 3G Boy Scout building
headquarters. 3G stood for Graham, Gila & Greenly Counties. He spent many hours building
platforms for the Boy Scout camp on Mt. Graham. He was Pres. of the Highway 70
association and dedicated the tunnel near Superior, Arizona officially linking the East & West
Coast as Highway 70.

Monroe went to both of his sons ball games no matter if they were out of town or at the
High School. When his son Jim made the starting 5 on the Eastern Arizona College team, he
attended many out of state games like Albuquerque, NM.

Monroe was 64 years old when he slipped on his truck and hit his head. The Dr. said he
had symptoms of the flu but he was eventually sent to Phoenix where they operated on his
brain – Apostle Kimball made a special trip to see him and with his two sons (Roy & Jim) gave
him a blessing. The damage was severe and the next day – 21 April 1968 Monroe passed
away. He was buried in the Claridge plot in the Safford Union Cemetery the 24 April 1968.
This is the lot that he had purchased many years ago for the use of his family. He always said
it was the prettiest lot in the whole cemetery up on the edge of the raised cemetery where
there is a great view of the Graham Mountains.

Lucille Wilkins

Lucille was born 9 Jan 1907 in Layton, now Safford, Graham, Arizona in
a little house on 16th Street, the second child and only daughter of Edwin
Grandville Wilkins and Helen Vilate Greenhalgh. Her older brother Ruel did
not think much of her until his Uncle Hosie called her a darling little rabbit.
When she was a baby her parents moved to the base of Mt. Graham and

36 – 3 Claridges History

lived in a tent. Her father Edwin hauled lumber to the sawmill in Safford. Two years later they
moved to Safford – in 1910 her parents bought a dozen milk cows and they moved to Miami
and started a dairy – two years later they sold the dairy and bought a grocery store. Edwin
worked very hard for a dollar a day – they had a cow and a garden that provided food for the
family. There were no Mormons in Miami so Lucille went to the Baptist Church when she was
school age. 15 May 1915 she went to Globe to be baptized.

They were all excited when Lucille’s little brother Lloyd was born 4 Jan 1918. Her brother
had convulsions when he was very small – they would heat water to bathe him – he had
surgery and had no more sick spells.

In 1921 the family decided to move to Safford – getting away from Miami that was a mining
town and the riff raff there. Instead they ended up in Bisbee another mining town. They then
moved to Safford – in 1922 they moved to Long Beach, California where Edwin was a cement
contractor. Lucille attended 2 years of High School – had an appendectomy – rode in an
ambulance home and Lloyd cared for her because her mother Helen had to work extra to
make ends meet. Her brother Ruel got a fake speeding ticket and thought it was real – he
moved back to Arizona. Lucille was just past 16 when Monroe came to California to work.
They had one date going dancing at the Pike. Lucille remembered Monroe from Solomonville
– he was 4 years older and had not paid any attention to her them. Lucille had fun at the
beach and the Pike but they moved to Santa Ana for a while and then back to Miami. They
then moved to Bisbee then Douglas and then Safford where she and her brother Ruel walked
to Safford Schools. They then moved to Solomonville where she graduated from the 8th grade
then attended 2 months at the Gila Academy. While in Solomonville she was active in school
and playing basketball and running track.

On Lucille’s 22nd birthday she married Monroe Claridge – 9 January 1929. She worked in
J.C. Penny’s most of the time in charge of Ladies Wear. They lived in Thatcher but eventually
moved to Safford. Monroe was active in the Mutual and always was gone to dances and
parties without Lucille. The ladies would invite him to go dancing or to parties and such.
Lucille said she had enough and left him with her first child Helen. Monroe came around and
quit the Mutual.

Monroe built a home on Relation Street next to Lucille’s parents. They lived there for quite
some time until Monroe got a chance to trade it for the home on Central Ave. It was closer to
town and work. In 1957 he bought a new home further out on Relation Street. It was a real
nice home but Monroe sold it to Ray Claridge (a cousin) and moved back to 1212 Central Ave.

After Monroe passed away from an accident on his truck she sold the home on Central
Ave. and moved to an apartment on 5th Ave. She then decided to move to Phoenix in 1973
and live with a cousin. She found a home for sale on Garnet Ave. in Mesa just down the street
from her son Jim. She and Granny Wilkins moved in there – until she could not take care of
Granny who went to stay in the nursing home in Safford. She sold this home and moved in
with Jim who had built a home on Garnet that had an apartment on it.

Lucille lived in this apartment for 7 years. Her daughter in law Kathy cared for her and
made sure she had a wonderful full life. In May of 1985 she developed pneumonia and was
hospitalized in St. Luke’s in Mesa. She passed on mother’s day – 12 May 1985 and was
buried in Safford Union Cemetery 15 May 1985 next to her beloved husband Monroe in the
Claridge plot.

3 Claridges History – 37

Family Group Sheet

Husband Hyrum Claridge

Birth 11 Apr 1868 Nephi, Juab, Utah B: 10 Oct 1876
E: 10 Oct 1889 LOGAN
Death 17 Jun 1953 Safford, Graham, Arizona SP: BIC
SS: 10 Oct 1889 LOGAN
Burial 20 Jun 1953 Thatcher, Graham, Arizona
B: 5 Oct 1879
Marriage 10 Oct 1889 Logan, Cache, Utah E: 10 Oct 1889 LOGAN
SP: BIC
Father Samuel Claridge (5 Dec 1828 – 11 Sep 1919)
B: 3 Oct 1898
Mother Rebecca Hughes (15 Nov 1847 – 6 Oct 1854) E: 7 Jun 1932 ARIZO
SP: BIC
WIFE Susan Ann Moody SS: 7 Jun 1932 ARIZO

Birth 5 Oct 1871 St. George, Washington, Utah B: 16 Mar 1901
E: 18 May 1964 ARIZO
Death 29 Dec 1927 Thatcher, Graham, Arizona SP: BIC
SS: 18 May 1964 ARIZO
Burial 31 Dec 1927 Thatcher, Graham, Arizona
B: Child
Father John Monroe Moody (16 Feb 1822 – 27 Jan 1884) E: Child
SP: BIC
Mother Elizabeth Poole (6 Sep 1838 – 18 Apr 1919) SS:

CHILDREN B: Child
E: Child
F Elizabeth Claridge SP: BIC
SS:
Birth 3 Oct 1890 Thatcher, Graham, Arizona
B: 8 Jun 1907
Death 10 Sep 1980 Safford, Graham, Arizona E: 14 Dec 1972 SLAKE
SP: BIC
Burial 13 Sep 1980 Safford, Graham, Arizona SS: 14 Dec 1972 SLAKE

Marriage 14 Apr 1910 Stanley Leroy Crandall (1890 – 1942) B: 6 Feb 1909
E: 26 Mar 1966 ARIZO
F Rebecca Claridge SP: BIC
SS: 26 Mar 1966 ARIZO
Birth 6 Sep 1892 Thatcher, Graham, Arizona

Death 20 Feb 1972 Thatcher, Graham, Arizona

Burial 23 Feb 1972 Thatcher, Graham, Arizona

Marriage 14 Mar 1912 Adam Leroy Layton

M Hyrum Alfonzo Claridge

Birth 12 Sep 1894 Thatcher, Graham, Arizona

Death 24 Dec 1895 Thatcher, Graham, Arizona

Burial Thatcher, Graham, Arizona

Marriage

F Sharlottie Joy Claridge

Birth 29 Mar 1997 Thatcher, Graham, Arizona

Death 12 Mar 1899 Thatcher, Graham, Arizona

Burial Thatcher, Graham, Arizona

Marriage

F Flossie Claridge

Birth 6 May 1899 Thatcher, Graham, Arizona

Death 7 Feb 1984 Pomona, Los Angeles, California

Marriage 7 Oct 1916 Herbert Wilford Johns

Marriage 15 Jun 1936 James David Ingle

F Pearl Claridge

Birth 4 Feb 1901 Thatcher, Graham, Arizona

Death 29 Aug 1979 Tucson, Pima, Arizona

Burial 1 Sep 1971 Safford, Graham, Arizona

Marriage 24 Sep 1923 Joseph Rulon Rogers

38 – 3 Claridges History

M Monroe Claridge

Birth 17 Aug 1903 Thatcher, Graham, Arizona B: 4 Nov 1911
E: 2 Jul 1948 ARIZO
Death 21 Apr 1968 Phoenix, Maricopa, Arizona SP: BIC
SS: 2 Jul 1948 ARIZO
Burial 24 Apr 1968 Safford, Graham, Arizona
B: 1 Nov 1913
Marriage 9 Jan 1929 Lucille Wilkins (1907 – 1985) E: 2 Mar 1972
SP: BIC
F Drucilla Claridge SS: 2 Mar 1972

Birth 24 Oct 1905 Thatcher, Graham, Arizona B: 12 Apr 1919
E: 17 May 1988 OGDEN
Death 12 Jul 1991 Serra Vista, Cochise, Arizona SP: BIC
SS: 7 Feb 1996 ARIZO
Burial

Marriage 27 Jul 1953 Harry Donald Osgood

M Joseph Phillip Claridge

Birth 23 Dec 1910 Thatcher, Graham, Arizona

Death 4 Sep 1984 Albuquerque, Bernalillo, New Mexico

Burial 8 Sep 1984 Albuquerque, Bernalillo, New Mexico

Marriage 20 May 1939 Deming, Luna, NM

Hyrum – 2nd Olive Clair Kimball (21 Dec 1928) SS: (2 Jun 1933) ARIZO

3 Claridges History – 39

Hyrum Claridge & Susan Ann Moody

F Elizabeth Claridge 3 Oct 1890 – 10 Sep 1980 Stanley Leroy Crandall – 30 Jul 1890 – 4 Sep 1942
B: Thatcher, Graham, AZ – D: Safford, Graham, AZ B:Vernal, Uintah, UT – D: Safford, Graham, AZ
Adam Leroy Layton – 5 Mar 1892 – 30 Jun 1984
F Rebecca Claridge 6 Sep 1890 – 20 Feb 1972 B: Thatcher, Graham, AZ – D: Thatcher, Graham, AZ
B: Thatcher, Graham, AZ – D: Thatcher, Graham, AZ
Herbert Wilford Johns – 4 Apr 1898 – 18 Oct 1931
M Hyrum Alfonzo Claridge 12 Sep 1894 – 24 Dec 1895 B: Thatcher, Graham, AZ – D: Florence, Pinal, AZ
B: Thatcher, Graham, AZ – D: Thatcher, Graham, AZ Joseph Rulon Rogers – 16 May 1897 – 13 Sep 1973
B: Mesa, Maricopa, AZ – D: Tucson, Pima, AZ
F Sharlottie Joy Claridge 29 Mar 1897 – 12 Mar 1899 Lucille Wilkins – 29 Jan 1907 – 12 May 1985
B: Thatcher, Graham, AZ – D: Thatcher, Graham, AZ B: Safford, Graham, AZ – D: Mesa, Maricopa, AZ
Harry Donald Osgood – 6 Apr 1909 – 22 May 2005
F Flossie Claridge 6 May 1899 – 7 Feb 1984 B: Marrietta, Lac Qui Parle, MN – D: Torrance, L.A, CA
B: Thatcher, Graham, AZ – D: Pomona, Los Angeles, CA Ellen Williams – 8 Aug 1912 – 1 May 1983
B: Avoca, Jones TX – D: Albuquerque, Bernalillo, NM
F Pearl Claridge 4 Feb 1901 - 29 Aug 1979
B: Thatcher, Graham, AZ – D: Tucson, Pima, AZ

M Monroe Claridge 17 Aug 1903 – 21 Apr 1968
B: Thatcher, Graham, AZ – D: Phoenix, Maricopa, AZ

F Drucilla Claridge 24 Oct 1905 – 12 Jul 1991
B: Thatcher, Graham, AZ – D: Serra Vista, Cochise, AZ

M Joseph Phillip Claridge 23 Dec 1910 – 4 Sep 1984
B: Thatcher, Graham, AZ – D: Albuquerque, Bernalillo, NM

40 – 3 Claridges History

Line of Authority
Hyrum Claridge

3 Claridges History – 41

Hyrum Claridge & Susan Ann Moody - Family Tree

42 – 3 Claridges History

Hyrum Claridge

Hyrum Claridge was born 10 April 1868 in Nephi, Utah – 2nd son of
Samuel Claridge and Rebecca Hughes. His older brother John William died
prior to his birth. He became the older brother of the family of fifteen children
– only three of his younger sisters survived him at his death in Safford,
Arizona – 17 Jun 1953.

Hyrum was seven months old when his parents left Nephi, Utah and
moved to the Muddy River near the Nevada/Utah border in southwestern
Utah to colonize. On the way and at the Muddy – the family encountered
brushes with the Navajo Indians. They were endangered by a cyclone that blew off part of
their roof and let the wind and rain come pouring in. When Samuel arrived from the fields he
found them huddling in a corner very frightened.
It was in March 1871 when the family arrived in Long Valley – in 1784 the United Order
was formed and his father Samuel was made the baker. When Hyrum was six he would get
up at 4 o’clock each morning and help grease the pans for bread or biscuits for the 600 people
to be fed.
The Claridge family was very large and quite often was over-drawn in the United Order.
Hyrum’s father heated to be in debt and called upon Hyrum to do work in the Order to help
balance the Claridge account. The Order accumulated many sheep that the children tended
during the summer. Hyrum herded many flocks on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon and in
the Kaibab Forest in northern Arizona. During the spring when Hyrum was 11, his father took
him to the Buckskin Mountains to assist at lambing time. When the lambing was over, Hyrum
was put in charge of the cows and the milking. At the age of 12 he plowed the fields with a
team of horses and a yoke of oxen. At 13 he hauled lumber from a saw-mill to Orderville –
load, bind and unload the lumber and care for his horses.
Hyrum started school at age 9 but received very little formal education. He went to school
about 3 years – he had a 3 mile walk through snow drifts up to his thighs – he could only go
about 3 months of the year as he had to help his father the rest of the time.
Hyrum said that the young people in the United Order had great pleasure because of the
organized recreational activity held there – picnics in the mountains, dances at the church,
shows, carnivals, contests, games and parties regularly.
The older men had their names on the record and owned stock – the younger men had no
recognition at all – Hyrum’s father suggested that the married children be given their fair share
of the Order. Some of the older men thought he had apostatized and had become eccentric.
He did not want to hold back the Order and withdrew from it.
At age 15 Hyrum’s father settled up there affairs and made plans to go to the Gila Valley in
Arizona. Samuel went to Salt Lake City and bought a new Gain wagon to go with the one they
had. They had good stock that had been running on their farm at Mt. Carmel. The Snow and
Brinkerhoff families traveled with them – the first night they stopped at Small Spring – Hyrum
could remember because it took so long to water the stock in the small water hole. They
crossed the Colorado River at Lee’s Ferry – one wagon wheel had dished wrong-side out and
had to be changed. Samuel and Hyrum had to go back to Lee’s Ferry to fix it but were able to
buy a duplicate from Mr. Johnson and some hay for the horses. They were back in one day
and traveled to ketch up with the other wagons that had gone on ahead.

3 Claridges History – 43

After traveling 6 weeks they arrived in the Gila Valley the 29 Oct 1883 and settled in
Thatcher. Hyrum said that there was nothing but mosquitos, Indians and a few settlers – but
the country was alive with soldiers moving from Fort Bowie, Fort Grant & Fort Thomas trying to
get all the Indians on the Fort Thomas Indian Reservation.

They purchased land and began clearing it and leveling it – as soon as the brush was piled
up and set afire, Samuel sent the boys for the horses and plow. When they returned he told
them to start plowing through the coals of the fire. The boys said it was too hot but he insisted
and started plowing himself through the smoldering fire. Some of the embers got into his
shoes and he did a quick two-step trying to kick off his shoes. This convinced him and they
waited until the next day to start plowing.

Their first home was an adobe long room with one partition. Hyrum and the boys slept
outside in the brush sheds. They had a cellar with a dirt roof to keep things cool – a couple of
skunks got into the cellar and had to be removed by Samuel.

Hyrum was the oldest son and had to help support his father’s large family by freighting
from the railroad a Wilcox and Bowie to Globe where the mines were located. It would take 2
weeks to make a round trip. On one trip Hyrum and his brother Wilford were stopped by the
Apache Kid who demanded one of Hyrum’s horses. Although the Indians had guns – after
Hyrum told them he could not spare the horse – after a few moments he told them he had to
be going and started the team. The Indians stepped back into the brush and they continued
on their way – and one of them said, “Gosh, sure glad ‘Pa’ prays a lot.” On another occasion
he stopped to rest and feed his horses and narrowly missed running into a band of Indians that
were chasing the stage coach. In those days the horses were very important in all the
pioneering operations. At night they were chained to mesquite trees to keep them from being
stolen by rustlers or Indians.

On 10 October 1889 Hyrum married Susan Ann Moody in the Logan, Utah Temple. They
made the trip from Thatcher to Logan to be married in the Temple. Hyrum was 21 and Susan
was 18 years old. Hyrum’s mother made him a suit from broadcloth that his father had brought
from England.

When they returned from Logan, Hyrum went to work for N.H. Charlson and who taught
him carpentry and cabinet making for $1.50 per day – early morning until 6:00 at night. He
built Susie a brick house taking him a year. He traded melons for a bed and dresser to
surprise her.

He helped Samuel build a home and then built himself a big barn on the back of a lot in
Thatcher that they lived in – later building a real nice home on the front of the lot. He did all
the work himself on the new home. During this time his first 6 children were born. Monroe
was born in the home of his grandmother Elizabeth Pool Moody. The big front room was used
for many things – since it was on Main Street, Hyrum had the 1st barber shop there.

Hyrum was appointed the Postmaster in Thatcher and held this position for 9 years. Susie
did most of the work as Postmistress. The post office was in the Claridge & Hunt Mercantile
building that was once Hyrum’s meat market. It became quite a store. Hyrum was in the goat
business for 35 years – the goat ranch was in the foothills of the Graham Mountains.

44 – 3 Claridges History

Susan Ann Moody

Susan Ann was born 5 October 1871 in St. George, Utah to John
Monroe Moody and Elizabeth Pool. She was small when her parent took
her with them to Thatcher, Arizona to colonize the Gila Valley. Because
they settled on a farm Susan grew working hard on chores such as milking,
churning, weeding and preserving food.

She had to be driven 5 miles in a wagon to attend church in Pima until
the ward was established in Thatcher. When she and her brothers and
sisters drove along the isolated roads, they were terrified of meeting
Indians – in this area reports of Indian depredations were frequent.

She married Hyrum Claridge in the Logan Temple 10 October 1889 – it is wondered why
the couple traveled so far when the St. George Temple was available.

When her last child Phillip was born she was in very poor health. After his birth her health
continued to fail. She had a rheumatic and arthritic condition that got steadily worse as the
years passed. Hyrum provided her with all the medical care available – he took her to Indian
Hot Springs out from Pima and to California to see if the climate would help. In 1916 Susie
became an invalid and was confined thereafter to a wheelchair or rocking chair. She was able
to feed herself, knit, crochet and use her hands in her lap. Her daughters took turns caring for
her during her illness.

In 1919 Hyrum sold his goat ranches and moved to Phoenix to see if the warmer climate
there would help Susie’s health. Hyrum located on a 160 acre farm and bought ninety head of
milk cows and heifers. He averaged milking about sixty five cows every day. They stayed in
Phoenix about a year. Susie’s health failed to improve in the hot climate and she wanted to
return to the Gila Valley to be close to her friends. In the mid nineteen twenties the Arizona
Temple was being built in Mesa. Susie worried that she would not live long enough to see this
Temple completed as her health continued to get worse. She was relieved when the temple
was completed and dedicated in 1927. Hyrum took her to the dedications and carried her
through all the rooms so she could see everything. Susie passed away 29 December 1927 at
the family home in Thatcher. She was buried 31 December in the Thatcher cemetery.

Susie was known throughout her later life as a woman with man aches and pains but
always a smile and never known to complain. Her friends came to her for comfort and advice
– She was a warm, gracious and affectionate woman who never used profanity. Her faith in
her religion never faltered and she regretted she couldn’t be more active in her later years.

In 1898 Hyrum rented the family home to Andrew Kimball (St. Joseph Stake Pres.) but
reserved one room for his family when they came in from the goat ranch. Included in Pres.
Kimball’s family was Spencer W. Kimball and his older daughter Clare Kimball. On 21
December 1928 Hyrum married Clare Kimball Brinkerhoff in the Arizona Temple. In January of
1929, Hyrum and Clare established a home in Fort Grant, Arizona where both were employed
at the State Industrial School for boys. Hyrum had his usual cow, chickens and garden – his
trademark. They did not stay their entire two year appointment but resigned and located on a
small 16 acre ranch south of Safford on the Bowie Highway. In 1943 they sold the ranch and
moved to Central Ave. just a half block north of the Layton Ward. Hyrum added onto this
house, used the old building in the back for a workshop to build in and added a cellar in the
back for Clare’s canning. His usual bunches of chickens were kept in a chicken coop behind

3 Claridges History – 45