ELIZA ANN FARNSWORTH LUND

By Nora Lund, Historian - Assisted by Lyle F. Meacham

To consider the life of Eliza Ann Lund Farnsworth is different and interesting. It is quite something to be the 10th child in any family. Another interesting fact was that she was the only child born to Wilson Lund and Eliza Ann Brace Lund after they arrived in St. George. This great event occurred 23 February 1865. The family had been in the new locality two years and by this time were getting a start, a home commenced and ground tilled. You have already noticed the honor that was bestowed upon this little girl by being named for her mother, Eliza Ann. Like her mother she was known throughout life simply as "Liza". She was a general favorite in the family because of her lovable disposition. Her brother, Will, especially was fond of her. His daughter Anne told me that when her father was called to leave St. George and settle in Arizona, he was reluctant to leave his little sister, Liza. As Annie remembers it, he talked more about going back to see her than any other member of the family. Eliza’s childhood was in the main a happy one. Even though her parents felt keenly their responsibilities of rearing their family in the face of so much privation. Children have a way of enjoying their playmates and surroundings to the fullest. Though the country was in its infancy of development, these stalwart pioneers were a high minded people. From the very beginning the education of the children was not neglected not withstanding the lack of suitable housing quarters for school. These people used the "next best" when the best was not available; consequently, the first school was held in a wagon box. It wasn’t long, however, until suitable buildings were erected. Even today the descendants of these pioneers are forging ahead to add new buildings to meet the need of the rising generations. I speak of this in connection with Eliza’s life because of her great yearning for an education. She took advantage of every opportunity to enhance her knowledge. She had in mind a goal whereby she could be of the most service to her fellowmen. She received the necessary requirements to receive a teachers’ certificate and taught school for many years. The entertainment of these growing pioneer towns centered around church activities. In St. George Eliza entered in wholeheartedly in all that went on. She was a likeable person and had many friends of both sex. When this young lady was about 18 years old, one of her eyes became infected. All known home remedies were used as well as the best medical skill available at that time. The infection grew worse until she suffered the complete loss of that one eye. This one fact shows Eliza’s strength of character in her determination to succeed as a school teacher in spite of this handicap. Eventually there came into her life a fine young man by the name of Reuben Joseph Farnsworth who was born in Kanab, Utah. His parents were Moses and Elizabeth Stewart Farnsworth. They were married in the St. George Temple 7 March 1889. As time went on their lives were enriched and their happiness made more complete by the arrival of seven children. The first one, a son, was still born as were the last two of the family. Those growing to maturity were Reuben Joseph Jr., named after his father, Frank Wilson, the only daughter, Eliza Ann or Lyle as she was always called, and Brigham Edward or Ted as he was known. To make a livelihood for his family Joe did many different things. One that is remembered vividly by Louis Lund, a nephew of Eliza’s, was his ‘Hack service’. This was a passenger line from St. George to the railroad in Modena. Eliza would get up in the wee small hours of the morning and have a substantial breakfast prepared for her husband so that he was never late to meet his schedule. He would leave St. George at 3:00 A. M. His first stop was at Chad’s Ranch where a team of fresh horses was hitched to the white topped buggy. At Mountain Meadows or Platt’s Ranch the horses were again changed so that good time could be made on the road. This trip through the mountains gave the passengers a brisk, interesting ride. They arrived in Modem in time to catch the incoming train. Joe would bring the south bound passengers to St. George by the same short route. When he arrived home, his wife always had a good hot supper ready for him. He operated this strenuous passenger line for six or seven years. When Eliza’s brother-in-law, Alma Barton had the mail contract from Lund to St. George, the drivers made their headquarters at the Farnsworth home. She gave them nourishing meals and good beds. Her fine hospitality was long remembered by those men. Even though she was a busy mother she realized the necessity of doing her part in working in the auxiliary organizations of the church. Besides other duties she served faithfully and well as a counselor in the Primary Organization for many years. Eliza had a love for the out-of-doors. She always found time to cultivate and care for a good vegetable garden from which much of the family sustenance was produced. One of the great joys of her life was the pride she experienced in her beautiful rose garden. She could boast of 30 different varieties of roses at one time. People came for miles around to feast on their exquisite beauty. Many of her sick or shut-in friends were made happier by a gift bouquet of Sister Farnsworth’s beautiful flowers. Crysanthums, the late fall flowers of varied hues and sizes, were also grown and enjoyed by Eliza and her neighbors. She was a dutiful daughter and gave her mother loving care through the years. As her life ebbed out at the ripe old age of 87, it was Eliza’s kind hands that eased her as she went to join her husband and other family members. Too much cannot be said of her devotion to her husband and her children. She was very congenial with everyone, big hearted and sociable. Because of her jolly and good nature she was loved by the neighbors’ children and her nieces and nephews. She always made them feel that they were something special. She was also a good financier and had real business ability. Eliza always enjoyed comparatively good health and her death came more or less as a shock to her family and friends. She was stricken with a cerebral hemorrhage and after a few hours of illness passed away 13 March 1918 at the age of 53.

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