USA > Idaho > Madison County > Salem > Salem L.D.S. Ward history, 1883 to 1972 > Part 1
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Salem L. D. S. Ward
History 1883- 1972
REXBURG NORTH STAKE, IDAHO
BX 8677 .9655 .S25 1972
I DAVID O. MCKAY LIBRARY
. RICKS COZ SRG. IDAHO .
FOUNDED 1888
3 1404 00688 2960 BX 8607 S3 A2
Library
DATE DUE
- DEC
1 9 2005
APR 0 5
2007
APR 0 6 2011
Demco
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2011 with funding from Brigham Young University-Idaho
http://www.archive.org/details/salemldswardhist00beln
SALEM L. D. S. WARD HISTORY
...
1883 to 1972
-
Mark E. Petersen
Member of The Council of Twelve Dedicated the new SALEM L.D.S. WARD BUILDING June 20, 1954
History Compiled April 1972 by Bishop Joseph F. Belnap
THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS THE OFFICE OF THE BISHOP
L-R Ist row, Verd Mortensen, Gaylin Fuller Bishop, Glade Wasden,2nd. Boyd Price, Hans Jensen, Gene Peterson , John Price
BISHOPRIC'S MESSAGE FOR WARD HISTORY:
As the current bishopric of the Salem Ward, we wish to express our deep appreciation to those who have worked so hard and given of their time so unselfishly to compile this history.
Contained herein is more than the pictures and dates of bygone days; it represents the history and development of a community and a Ward and all of the struggles, tears and successes of a group of people united by the common bond of the Gospel. Even though it is hard for us to imagine the hardships and trials of days gone by, we can see the strength of character as it is etched in the faces of our Senior Citizens as they continue to guide us and bless us with their wisdom and faith, and even more we see it in the character of the young people who are products of good homes, an active Ward and a community that cares about their young people.
As the Salem Ward undergoes a major transition with lots of new homes, new faces and new challenges, as we change from an agriculture oriented group of people to one where most of us make our living in town, it is hoped that we can always remember those who made it so nice for us and that we can carry on with the same zeal and devotion to the Church and to all it stands for so that we can bless the future generations as those who have gone before have blessed us .
Sincerely,
SALEM WARD BISHOPRIC
Former Salem Ward Bishops
GEORGE H. B. HARRIS 1884 to 1900
VICTOR HEGSTED 1900 to 1905
BERNICE HARRIS 1905 to 1921
ORVAL P. MORTENSEN 1935 to 1945
GEORGE HOGG 1921 to 1926
GEORGE S. TANNER 1826 to 1930
DAVID W. ARCHIBALD 1930 to 1935
JOSEPH FRANCIS BELNAP 1945 to 1948
Gerald Larsen 1949 to 1957
Gorden Shirley 1957 to 1962
Phill A,Worlton 1962 to 1968
1810
The beginning of the settlement of Snake River Country
And the settlement of Salem then and now as I see it 1971
1810 1811
1879
The settlement of North Snake River Country near Fort Henry was commenced by Andrew Henry and about a dozen companions, who were in this country during the winter of 1810 and 1811. They established a post called Fort Henry on the south side of the North Fork of the Snake River about three-eigths of a mile east of the present Salem-Parker Highway, The Wilson Hunt Price expedition stopped there in the fall of 1811. This party left their horses with some Indians and launched fifteen canoes on the Snake River. The fort site was not established until 1933, when a rock at a depth of five (5') was dug up with the chisled inscription "Fort Henry by Captain Hunt." From this time on, numerous trappers visited this territory until 1879, When Thomas (Bill) McMin came, Thomas settled in the Egin area and William on the south side of the river near the old Fort Henry, and not too far from the ford across the Snake River. He and his family spent the rest of his life near there As a small boy I remember playing around the old rock fireplace. J. F. Belnap (Frank) . The Indians burned the old Fort.
1883
In the summer and fall of 1883, a few men came to this area and laid claim on property. Among those who came were John M. Branon, Arvis Dille, Hans P. Jensen, George P. Ward, George H. B. Harris; Cyrus R. J. Harris came in December 1883, and about the same time, James H. Wilson and H. P. Hanson came - - and maybe some others. It seems that the married men returned to their homes for the winter and came back in the spring.
1884
Some other families came here in 1884. That summer small cracts of land were planted, and some crops were harvested. Their first attempts to grow alfalfa failed, so they had to cut wild grass for hay. It was hard to get the water to run out on the land even though they had quite a bit of it.
1884
President Thomas E. Ricks called a meeting at the home of George P. Ward for November 23, 1884 . This home was built of logs and had a dirt floor and roof. David Nelson gave the open- ing prayer, President Ricks explained that the purpose of the meeting was to organize a Ward and select a townsite. The name of the Ward was to be called Salem after the ancient Salem in the Bible, meaning peace
George H. B. Harris was chosen and sustained as Bishop and Set apart by President Ricks. Brother Dustin gave his testi- money -- Song, "Come Let Us Anew Our Journey Pursue." The town site and name were selected by President Ricks and Presiding Bishop Wm, B, Preston.
The Ward boundries were east and west to the Teton Rivers from the present south boundary of the John Hegsted and Harris farms. And north to the Snake River, then east to the junction of the North and South branches of the Teton River.
1885
January 3, 1885 - at the Stake Priesthood meeting, Henry Wilson was sustained as First Counselor to Bishop Harris, and
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1885 Set apart by President Ricks and Counselor Francis C. Gunnel, President Ricks being mouth January 31, 1885 - Bishop Harris reported to the Stake that Salem was gathering material for a meeting house. February 7, 1885 - David Nelson was sustained as Second Counselor to Bishop Harris and Set apart by Wm. F. Rigby.
February 25, 1885 - Salem was officially made a Ward by Apostle John W. Taylor and Bishop Watson of the 19th Ward of Salt Lake City; at the home of George P. Ward.
The Salem Sunday School was organized February 7, 1885, with Arvis C. Dille as Superintendent and Joseph as a Counselor and Alfred Hansen over the North Salem Sunday School .
1894
I found the following of Ward Clerks in the Salem Ward Historical records in the Church Historian's Office in Salt Lake City. This is a copy: Until 1894 there wasn't any regular appointed Ward Clerk at Salem, but on August 17, 1894, Gotlieb Bohi was appointed Ward Clerk and still acted in that capacity December 31, 1900.
1885
March 29, 1885 - the people of Salem have enough seed grain to plant their crops. They planted three (3) acres for missionary purposes .
May 6, 1885 - the first meeting house was completed on the Larsen farm, made of quaking aspen logs, measuring 16' by 20' and with dirt floor and roof This was also used as a school house. It was later moved to a hillside about three-eigths of a mile east of the present old brick school by the Lamar Mortensen home. It was used as a school until the brick school was finished; it had two rooms at first, then two more were built on. The first two rooms were finished in 1905.
The second meeting house was completed on the Salem town- site May 16, 1885 It was built of pine logs and had a dirt floor and roof. Later a wooden floor was added measuring 16' by 20' .
July 3 - crops are favorable, squirrels destruction was considerable August 15, 1885 - Ward in good condition. Com- pleted boom on the Snake River. This was used to hold logs and also to take them out of the river
November 1885 - the Salem Relief Society was organized with Mary Ward as President, Victoria Harris and Rosa Nelson as Counselors .
The first crop of wheat was harvested in the fall of 1885. Each farmer had a few sacks. They were thrashed by a Mr. Poole from west and south of Rexburg .
1886
The first school was held in the winter of 1885 & 86 with Joseph Larsen as the teacher. The next teacher was George Henry Abbott Harris This was a tuition school. The first public
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school began about 1888. The teacher was a young man by the name of Leach. The log school #1, on school pictures, was this school house built about this time on the south east corner of the present Vern Davidson Block.
The M. I.A. was organized in the fall of 1886, with Hyrum Jacobs as President, with Charles Valentine and Hans Peter Jensen as Counselors, and Mary Harris was chosen as President of the Young Ladies.
The Primary was organized in 1887 with Caroline Jacobs as President and Caroline Larsen and Martha Jane Jacobs as Coun- selors .
May 11, 1890 - Henry Wilson was released as a Counselor to Bishop George H. B. Harris and Augustus Weber Belnap sustained as a Counselor in his place .
February 4, 1894 - a new meeting house was completed, measuring 26' by 44', made of pine logs, shingle roof, lumber floor, a raised stand, and a porch on the front. A model picture will be found in the church pictures .
1895
March 2, 1895 - Salem was divided taking the west side, thus making the Hibbard Ward. During Bishop Harris' time they started hauling rock for the church.
1900
December 31, 1900 - Salem Ward had 573 members comprising 80 families: 14 High Priests, 14 Seventys, 63 Elders, 13 Priests, 8 teachers, 22 Deacons, 226 Lay Members, and 213 children under 8 years of age .
1900
Bishop George H. B. Harris and Counselors were released in 1900 with a vote of thanks .
Victor Hegsted was sustained as Bishop of the Salem Ward with Alfred Ricks and Thomas Grover as Counselors. Above date. Apostle John Henry Smith and President Thomas E. Ricks and Counselors were present at this meeting
The first lumber school house was built probably in the 1890's -- no date. It had two class rooms downstairs and two upstairs, and later another addition of the same size was built on. This building had a Belfry and tower. This school was used until the new rock school was finished in 1908 -- around Christmas or a little after .
Under Bishop Hegsted and Counselors, the people of Salem Ward continued hauling rock for the new meeting house, Work on this building pushed forward. They did a wonderful job. The supervising carpenter was Eric Hansen. He lived on the place where Jerry Harris now lives .
1905
Bishop Hegsted and Counselors were released January 29, 1905 with a vote of appreciation for service.
1906
1907
Bernice R. Harris was sustained as the Bishop of Salem Ward with Harvey Roylance and Andrew J. Anderson as Counselors . During their time, the rock meeting house was completed in 1906. The painters were Peter C. Stephensen and O. F. Ursenbach. A piece of tin was found tacked in the tower with a scroll painted on it with the inscription "Salem Church Painted by Peter Stephensen and 0. F. Ursenbach, August 1906. " They held the dedication service in 1907. The cost of the building was $18,000. Olaus Aasa was also a finish carpenter -- Edward Person, rock and masonry.
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1886 1887 1890 1894
Later Bishop Harris and Counselors were released, and James F. Shirley and Heber Roylance were sustained as Counselors. During their time the old lumber school was purchased by the Ward and remodeled for a Ward amusement hall. The upstairs had a kitchen and a large banquet or party room. Downstairs had a dance hall, a stage for plays, and we also played basketball in it. It was used for about 20 years. The Geneological Society was 26, February 1921.
1921
Bishop Bernice R. Harris having served as Bishop Salem Ward since January 29, 1905, and having moved from the Ward, was honorably released September 25, 1921. George Hogg was sustained as Bishop with Charles Virgin 1st Counselor and David W. Archibald 2nd Counselor. We regret very much that we don't have very much information on their time as leaders of the Ward, but I do know from my own experiences that they served the Ward very faithfully. Bishop Hogg was a good Bishop and he had good Counselors, and they all had good families. Ward conference was held April 26, 1925. Stake President Mark Austin and Counselors James Blake and Nathon Ricks were present. June 15, 1925 - Mary Read Belnap, wife of Augustus W. Belnap and a faithful woman and Primary worker, died.
May 2, 1926 - Brother Heber C. Roylance. A large crowd attended his funeral. He was a very faithful man. Peter Jensen returned from a Mission May 16, 1926.
There was a Relief Society Conference held on June 20. The Stake Board and a large crowd of 108 members attended.
Sunday Conference was also held that day with the Stake Board in attendance and 141 present. Ward Conference was held July 8, 1926 with the Bishopric present. The Stake President Cont . Peter J. Ricks and Vern V. Duke Stake Clerk was there and 137 members were present.
1926
September 29, 1926 - The Ward was reorganized. The Bishop and Counselors were released. Sustained Bishop George S. Tanner, Orval P. Mortensen 1st Counselor, Joseph Francis Belnap 2nd Counselor, President George S. Romney - Presiding, Peter Ricks and Aurthur Porter - Counselors were present .
October 10 - most organizations were reorganized. They will reappear elswhere .
1927
Annual Ward Reunion was held February 25 & 27, 1927 - 230 attended. A bazaar was held with it to raise money to pay Ward debt, $200 was raised. The Tithing Granery, not being used any more, was sold to David Hirschi for $125.
Bishop Tanner left for summer school at Provo on May 20, On June 9, Orpha Shelton died. She had held a number of offices . She was reared by Augustus and Mary Belnap.
Things look toward an excellent crop this year. September- - A splendid crop is being reaped. There is 60 bushels to the acre of wheat and the beets are looking good. It is an unusu- ally good year for the farmers.
1927
November 27 - A Ward Conference was held. The main topic was the faithful attendance at Sacrament Meetings. During the last three months a few important things have taken place . Owing to the good harvest, the people were liberal with their donations to the Ward, making it possible to pay off all the Ward debts .
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1925 1926
.
Our Ward was one of the first if not the first, to sell all of its tickets and more than its allotment to pay for the Pipe Organ in the Tabernacle. December 31 - during the year, six Missionaries, two short term and four long, were called. The last one to leave was to report January 9, 1928
1928 At the present time, things look toward another prosperous year . Three more Missionaries left for their fields of labor. A Ward reunion was held 16 & 17, and everyone had a splendid time. On February 3 Barbara Rae Willis, daughter of James George Willis, died. Three days later his wife Jessie died. Primary Conference was held on March 18 with 220 present . About June 10, a terrific hail storm swept through the commun- ity doing a great deal of damage, especially through the northern part of the Ward. July 15, 1928 - A Ward Conference was held with 125 present -- about 25 percent of the Ward. The annual Ward Conference was held on November 18, 1928. Our Ward has made a remarkable record. It has obtained 100 present life memberships in the Y.M.M. I.A., Salem being the first Ward in Idaho or Utah. It contains 46 members.
1929
There were no changes this quarter. A Ward reunion was held February 22, 1929. Keith Hendricks drowned in the Snake River. He was the son of Mr. & Mrs. John H. Hendricks. The funeral was held in Salem and he was buried in Ashton. The annual Ward Conference was held on October 13, 1929 with 139 present. It was attended by President George S. Romney, Peter J. Ricks - Counselor, and Arthur Porter - Counselor.
1930
January 12 - Leo Shirley was released as Ward Clerk. Wray Hegsted was sustained in his place
February 9 - Primary Conference was held. January 26 - Peter J. Ricks attended the Sacrament Meeting. February 6 - An M. I.A. drama was presented. February 27 - An M. I.A. opera was presented March 31 - The Primary supplied entertainment. April 6 - 100th Anniversary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints . A meeting was held,
May 11, 1930 - The Ward was reorganized. Bishop Tanner and his Counselors were released, and sustained were David W. Archibald Bishop, Orval P. Mortensen - 1st Counselor, Grant R. Bowen - 2nd Counselor, and Wray Hegsted - Ward Clerk. Attending this meeting was President George S. Romney and Peter J. Ricks
Bishop Archibald and Counselors had the usual problems along with many others. 1930 through 1935 were depression years, but our Ward was spiritually active. We won the Stake Banner for attendance at Sacrament Meeting. The highest single meeting was 76 percent with a yearly average of 40 percent . There was the usual changes of officers. We regret that we cannot find furthur information during their time, but I do know that we had Ward reunions, plays, and Christmas parties.
We had a hot dry summer in 1930. The decline in prices had started and things gradually grew worse We had very little snow, the drought serious because of no rain, and we ran out of water about July 12. Things went from bad to worse Wheat drop- ped to 24¢ per bushel, cows sold for $6, a horse for $15, pigs for $2, cream 11¢ per 1b. of butter fat, and eggs 8¢ per dozen.
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1932 In the fall, Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected President of the United States of America. The winter of 1933 & 1934 was like spring -- no snow, a little rain, and warm. The summer of 1934 was the worst drought this country ever had. The crops that were planted early burnt ripe, and the crops planted late burnt up. Only one crop of hay was harvested. In March 1934 prices started going up. Quite a few farmers and stock men lost about all they had. There was a serious shortage of hay and some stock died for want of feed.
1935
We had plenty of snow this winter, three feet deep, and a lot of wind. We had a late spring. (The above was taken from J. F. Belnap's history) .
May 12, 1935 - Bishop David W. Archibald and Counselors Orval P. Mortensen and Grant R. Bowen and Officers were released.
1935
May 12, 1935 - Orval P. Mortensen was sustained Bishop of the Salem Ward, with Grant R. Bowen 1st Counselor, Fay E. Wasden 2nd Counselor, and Wray W. Hegsted Ward Clerk. The Ward reunion was held at Warm River on June 21. A large percent of the Ward enjoyed it. Stake reports of June 30. During their time, the old Amusement Hall was sold to Robert Hirschi. He took it down and from it he built his home. The old Tithing Office which had been changed to a Scout Hall was moved to the west side of Rock Church House, where it still stands unused. The basement floor in the Church House was removed because of decaying and a cement floor replaced it. The partitions were also removed. It was used for class rooms, parties, and dancing.
1944
October 31 - Opening Social for M. I.A. was held.
1945
November 24 - Funeral services were held for LaRene Covington. November 26 - Ward Conference was held with Arthur Porter and Frank Davis attending.
January 19 - M.I.A. Gold and Green Ball was held in the High School Gymnasium.
February 18 - A special meeting was held to discuss plans for a new Chapel.
March 1 - Ward reunion was held.
April 9 - Funeral services were held for Fred Withers, a long time member of the Ward.
April 29 - Funeral services were held for Lee Barret, killed in action in Europe.
August 5 - Funeral services were held for Vaughn Bagley.
In 1945 Bishop Mortensen & Counselors started to obtain money to add to the present meeting house or for a new one . When they were released they had $1,280 in the building fund. October 28 - A Stake Conference was held with Joseph Fielding Smith and Albert E. Bowen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in charge. The Rexburg Stake was divided, making a new Stake called North Rexburg. Bishop Mortensen was made Stake President, Leon Strong 1st Counselor, Edwin Flamm 2nd Counselor, and Douglas Pincock Stake Clerk. Mortensen was released as Bishop on November 18, 1945.
1945
November 18 - Ward Conference was held in Salem and was attended by the new Stake Presidency. Orval P. Mortensen was released as Bishop of Salem Ward. Sustained as Bishop was
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Joseph Francis Belnap, with Vernon C. Mortensen 1st Counselor, George Leo Shirley 2nd Counselor, and Fremont Fullmer Ward Clerk -- who had also served with a previous Bishopric. December 10 & 11 - The Relief Society gathered clothing to send to Europe. A Ward party was held honoring Bishop Mortensen and Counselors and Officers. Also a Ward Christmas Party was held and both occasions had a large attendence .
1946
March 24 - Thomas Smith Sr., Fredrick A. Shirley, John Ball, David W. Archibald, and Clyde Calloway were sustained as a building committee for a new Chapel .
December 16, 1946 - A Ward building committee meeting was held. The Bishop reported that they had purchased 50 steel folding chairs for the Relief Society, for which the Society had fur- nished the money. November 16 - A Ward conference was held . It was attended by President Orval P. Mortensen and Counselor Edwin C. Flamm. The Ward was fully organized. There was a Stake report.
1947
July 16 - Funeral services were held for a long time mem- berof the Ward, Hans C. Hegsted. October 20 - Funeral services were held for Lena Anderson, an early Pioneer of Salem. She was the wife of Oscar Anderson.
The Ward had a clean up of the Ward ball park, removing the trees and cutting them up for wood. A very large group turned out to help. The annual Christmas Party was held, with a large crowd enjoying it.
1948
March 15 - Augustus Weber Belnap passed away at the home of Mabel and Francis Belnap. Funeral services were held March 17. The burial took place in Wilford Cemetary. He was 89 years old. The Ward had a potato project on the Hirshi lot in Salem. The Ward had a timber and lumber project May 27, 28, 29, and Junel, 1948 to raise money for the building fund. During this time the building fund grew to $5,521.68 -- $981.68 of the above was raised by the Relief Society.
1948
The North Salem School was closed and all students taken to Sugar schools, making it necessary that we change our Primaries . So August 1, 1948, during Sacrament Meeting, Bishop Belnap Presi- ding and conducting, released Lucy Bowen and her officers and teachers of the North Primary. They discontinued having two Primaries. June Davidson was sustained President of the Salem Ward Primary, with Blanch Drake 1st Counselor, and Glenna Zollinger 2nd Counselor. The other officers were sustained later .
The lumber sawed from above the project was sold and the money was added to the building fund by the next Bishopric
The annual Christmas Party was held and enjoyed by a large crowd. It has been a custom for years to have an annual Christ- mas party and reunion for the Ward.
It seems that the winter of 1949 was rough at times. I have pictures showing snow drifts 9 feet deep in our yard.
December 26 - The Ward was reorganized. Bishop Belnap and Counselors Vernon Mortensen and George Leo Shirley were released.
Sustained as Bishop was Gerald Larsen, with Lowell Luke 1st Counselor, Wendell Virgin 2nd Counselor, Freemont Fullmer
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1949
Ward Clerk, and Lamar Mortensen Assistant Clerk.
A banquet was held January 28 in the Tabernacle to raise funds for building program.
March 2 - After a very bad blizzard, funeral services were held for Virginia Hansen Jensen, killed in a car-train wreck. A lifetime member of Salem Ward.
August 1, 1949 - The building committee held a meeting and a decision was made to call a mass meeting of the Ward, to discuss the building program. The meeting was held on August 4, and a decision was made to build a new Chapel.
1950 April 6, 1950 - Funeral services were held for Bertha A. Hardy Brower ®
May 6 - Funeral services were held for Maria Mortensen. She was an early bride and a Pioneer of Salem Ward.
November 19 - A Ward conference was held.
December 2 - Funeral services were held for Elanor Windly Virgin. (Mrs. Charles Virgin).
1950 May - The Aaronic Priesthood made an outing to Old Fort Lemhi for the placing of the marker and the dedication. About three or four car loads went from Salem. Some pictures may be placed elsewhere in this book. There was a Ward outing to Girls Camp that summer.
1951 October 29 - Funeral services were held for Garin Fullmer, Carol Johnson, and Howard Bohi, who were killed in a car wreck near the old Wilford Beet Dump .
1952 March 4 - Funeral services were held for George William Harris who was born in Salem.
There were five projects held this quarter to raise money for the building fund. A banquet under the supervision of the Seventys brought in $1,700, a cooked food and auction sale sponsored by the High Priests brought in $2,000, a banquet by the Elders Quorum brought in $1,200, an apron party by the Primary brought in $400, and the Relief Society cooked and served a banquet for the Madison Co-op, bringing in $600.
1954 September 19 - Funeral services were held for Robert Ricks, age about 33 years, killed in an early morning truck-train collision a few miles north of Sugar City.
October 24 - A Ward conference was held, with 250 members present or 54%.
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