BENJAMIN GODFREY TURNER AND SUSAN OLDS TURNER
Daughters of Utah Pioneers
Lesson for May 1999
Pioneers of Wayne County
Compiled by Bernice W. Smith
Introduction
[p372]
The people who settled Wayne County were as uniquely strong and enduring as the land they came to pioneer. After many sacrifices, unexpected experiences, and a long journey, they once again found themselves in the process of opening new country. There were some who had become very good at exploring the unknown and others who wondered if the exploring would ever end.
Their histories are full of sacrifice, faith, and adventure as they entered a place full of wonder and beauty. These early pioneers were not only men, but women and children as well; not just the young and hardy, but also the old and very young were part of the effort. Time would show their work to be a gift to many generations of people who might never have seen such a magical place without the legacy left by these early pioneers. They were not the first to come through this part of Utah, but they were the first to build roads, establish permanent communities, and work the land. Today each town reflects their handwork. In evidence are old log homes, weathered buildings, and tumbling rock walls. Wayne County is still an adventure where one can explore the past and enjoy the present.
[p 377]
BENJAMIN GODFREY TURNER AND SUSAN OLDS TURNER
Benjamin Godfrey Turner was born August 18, 1855, in Rockglen (or Glenham), Duchess, New York. He was the tenth child of David and Rose Ann Collier Turner. His father joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the year 1849. They gathered with other Church members in Florence, Nebraska, and moved west with them, arriving in Utah on September 12, 1861. After a few days of rest the Turners went on to the Fillmore - Holden area.
In 1874 they moved to Washington, Washington County, Utah, where they were called to work in the cotton factory. Benjamin and his father knew how to run a carding machine, and they were also weavers. They worked in the mill where they wove material used in the upholstery work for the St. George Temple. Benjamin didn't stay long in Washington. He moved back to Holden where he met Susan Olds.
Susan Olds was born April 14, 1857, in Mobery, Cape of Good Hope, South Africa, the third child of Elizabeth Uren and Emanuel Olds. She came to Utah with her mother, sister, and brother at the age of three. They set sail on March 7, 1860, and arrived three months later in New York harbor. From New York they traveled by train to St. Louis. Their money was nearly gone, but they acquired a handcart, a tent, bedding, food supplies, and they started west. In three days they caught up with the Stoddard Company and joined them in the trek. With Susan's mother pulling the handcart, and Susan and the other children alongside, they reached Salt Lake City in seventy-two days on September 24, 1860. In October 1861 the family moved to Duncan's Retreat in Washington County. Susan was taught weaving, sewing, and knitting at a very young age. She moved to Holden sometime in the early 1870s; here she met Benjamin Godfrey Turner.
Susan and Benjamin were married September 25, 1876, in Salt Lake City. The year they lived in Holden, their first daughter Susan [p 378] Roselle was born on July 8, 1877. They heard about a beautiful area in east Piute (now known as Wayne County) so they moved there in the year 1878. Sampson, who was a brother-in-law of Benjamin, came with them. He had been sent by the Church with a herd of cattle. Mr. Sampson was so impressed with the high valley that he decided to settle there. Several small settlements were made in the next few years. A few families, including Benjamin and Susan Turner, settled on the East side of the Fremont River and named it East Loa. Here Benjamin built a log cabin which was 20 by 20 by 18 feet high in the middle and 9 feet high to the gable. There was a ladder on one wall that led to a loft where the children slept.
The winter of 1878-79 was a hard, cold one with a lot of sickness in the valley. On February 6 twins, Marion and Marriam, were born to Benjamin and Susan. Their little daughter Susan Roselle was very ill. The twins lived only a few hours, and Susan Roselle died the same day.
When the town site was moved to what is now Lyman, Benjamin moved their cabin to the new site. The climate in the area had short seasons, preventing the growing of some vegetables and fruit they were accustomed to; however, many staple vegetables did well. They had a nice farm with good milk cows and prospered in the cheese and butter business. Benjamin took his cheese and butter to Richfield and Salina to sell. During the summer they took the cows up on Fish Lake Mountain because the feed there was so good. They had a cabin on the south end of Fish Lake.
They also did most of the weaving of cloth for the townspeople. They wove a cloth of wool and linen called "linsey." This was used for dresses and underclothing. They also wove a coarser cloth of cotton and wool for men's suits, pants, and coats. Susan did the carding of the wool and spun the yarn on a spinning wheel. They also knit stockings, slips, mittens, caps, and jackets, mixing the white and black yarn to make artistic effects.
Benjamin and Susan Turner were the parents of twelve children. They served their community and the Church. Susan was called Aunt Susan by young and old in the county
©1999 Daughters of Utah Pioneers
Last Updated: Thursday, 03-Mar-2005 06:18:01 MST
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