Julia Anne Phippen, daughter of Joseph Freeman Phippen and Anne Harrington Dayton Phippen, was born July 21st, 1848 in Kanesville, Pottawatomie, Iowa. Amazingly, she was 103 years old when she died June 8th, 1951 in Boise, Idaho.

Julia first married Hyrum Eldredge, who died in 1884 when their youngest child was only one year old (she had 8 children). She then married Ben Evans, who later disappeared on the range.

From the Family Record of Hiram Dayton and Permelia Bundy Dayton page 87, compiled by Leland and Alta Dayton, printed September 1961 comes the following information:

Julia was a most unusual personality. She was a real pioneer, enduring all the hardships and incidences on the treck across the Plains and the establishment of a home in the wilderness. She had a bright red dress and an Indian offered a pony for her. She experienced the "war on the crickets." Because of the death of her mother, when she was eleven years of age, she took the responsibility of the home and caring of seven children.

Making bread for this group was her hardest task. Baking it in an oven hanging over the fire required great skill and attention. She was widowed when her youngest child was one year old. She made soap and hominy to sell at the stores to help the finances of the family. She married again and began to pioneer the country of Carey, Idaho. Again sore trial came to her. One day her husband left home to find his band of sheep which had been stolen and he never returned. It is assumed that he was overcame by thieves and they killed him. With eight children to provide for, she found time to assist relatives and neighbors in the area to care for their sick and dying. During her colorful and eventful life she witnessed most of the great inventions of the century.

Back L to R: Minnie May, Arnold Clarence, Lula Irene, Myrtle Anne and Irvin Elmer
Front L to R: Ira Edgar, JULIA, Forest Hyrum

Myrtle Anne Eldredge Arthur, born May 13th, 1881 in Coalville, Utah, was my ancestral connection to Julia Anne.

Click here for more information on the PHIPPEN family.

If anyone recognizes this family please e-mail Anne Y. Smittle.

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