Ellen Anna (Goodliffe) Terry

History of Ellen Anna Goodliffe Terry
7th March 1898 to 7th January 1972

Daughter of:
Henry Arbon Goodliffe
Anna Jane Josephson

Married to:
Franklin Amos Terry
15th December 1915
St. George Temple

written by herself

In the year of 1898 there came to the home of Henry Arbon and Anna Jane Goodliffe a little baby girl. Stone Oneida County, Idaho was the place and the name they gave her was Ellen Anna.

Early in my life I can remember several things happened. I remember a red and white cow with long horns. I, Wilford and Arnetta, both older than I, were in the middle of the meadow playing on a straw stack. We were having a grand time when all at once we noticed that the cow was coming straight for us. The cow frightened me very much as I had been warned that she would hook [with her horns]. As the cow climbed the straw stack the straw would give away and back down the cow would go. This kept up until father came to our rescue.

Another time was a bright, spring morning while mother and I were out in the yard. A big antelope came bounding across the meadow towards us with its long horns and head held high, eyes big and breath coming from its nostrils from running past us to the hills on the other side of the valley. It was a glorious sight to behold.

My older brother, sister and I went to the meetinghouse yard to play where there was a big tree with a built playhouse. This old tree was a favorite place for all of the children. About half way there, my hands got so cold that I began to cry and my loving brother and sister took my hands and rubbed them, then took off their gloves and put them on me taking the best of care of their younger sister.

Around this time of my life father and mother decided to move to Canada. This took us some time as we went by wagon and horses. This was the only way of traveling at that time. I can still remember the tension at the times when we would cross the rivers. The current was so swift that we wondered if we would reach the other side in safety as the wagon went floating down with the current while the horses were doing their best at swimming the swift current. It seemed we would land from twenty to thirty feet below the road. At one time father was all but ready to jump into the water to reach for one of the bridles when one of the horses struck solid footing and out we came with jerks and bounds. At places like this, father would always go first with his wagon and then shout to mother and my older brother, who was only ten at that time, to drive the horses the right way to safety from the other side of the river.

As we traveled, we had the misfortune of losing one of our horses that died in the harness. Another time the cover was torn from father’s wagon because the trees were so thick.

Later on, we reached Canada and lived a short distance from Alberta, the capital. It was a pretty place to me with the grass four to six inches high and everything so green. I have often thought how nice it would be to take the same route and see the changes since that time.

Father got work a short distance from our home and it fell my lot to take his lunch to him one day. On the way there was a field with a herd of long horn range cattle. Not thinking, I started through the field but I soon found out my mistake as the cattle started for me! I ran for the fence, which was high and strong, and with me walking along on one side of the fence and the cattle on the other, we went for some distance.

While we were living in Canada, it was the chore of us children to keep plenty of drinking water on hand. I remember distinctly one night we forgot to get the water; father quickly told us to take the buckets and go get it, even if it was dark and a block or so away. I was frightened as we walked along the path with the trees and bushes on both sides of the path. I expected a timber wolf or some other wild animal to jump out at us any time because we had often heard them at night. Wilford would always caution us when to be extra still and walk lightly. We got the water and I still remember the relief that I felt when we were all inside and the door closed. I think that was the last time we forgot that chore.

We remained in Canada for a year or better and spent the winter with frost gathering on the walls and door, a quarter of an inch thick. I would go around scraping it off with my finger nails. It was through this winter that my sister Arnetta turned eight and was baptized in a hole where the ice was five to six feet thick. A crew of men who sawed the ice into big pieces cut this hole. They cut the ice, hauled the ice and stored it in straw and sawdust for the summer months. This was the only method at the time of taking care of it for the summer months. Father baptized Arnetta and she ran from the river to the house with her wet clothes on and never even took a cold through the exposure.

There was no Sunday School or meetings to go to so we would all get together and sing the hymn songs and father and mother would teach us the right ways of life.

On our way back to Idaho we went through Yellowstone Park and spent many days fishing, swimming and sightseeing. While there we would wash our clothes in the small geysers by holding on to the clothes with long sticks and in a short time they would come out white and clean but some times they would be sucked from our sticks and go out of sight. One night after catching a good tasty meal of fish, we had thrown the remains of the meal out on the ground then we went to bed. We children slumbered in a covered wagon with just a quilt hung in the back end for a door. This night around 1:00 or 2:00 a.m. there was a great noise around us. Father and mother were sleeping in the other wagon close by and father called, “Wilford, are you all right?” We were but we were frightened as we had been awakened by the noise and knew that there were wild animals around. We were told to be still and to go to sleep. The next morning they told us it had been nothing but wild cats eating the remains of the fish. When I think of sleeping in that wagon it sends a shiver up and down my spine.

While we were up there, the hotel served honey to their customers. Two big black bears walked into the hotel and went straight for the tables. The people quickly moved from the tables leaving the bears to eat whatever they wanted. The manager said, “The bears could smell the honey and knew how to open the doors.” I do not think this happens now, although there are plenty of bears that stop the cars to beg from the tourist as they go about seeing the wonderful sights.

On leaving the park we children decided we wanted some pine gum, so we started ahead of the wagons to be picked up later. On the way there were a few herds of buffaloes that we had to pass so we would be very cautious so as not to anger them and start them in our direction. By the time father and mother caught up to us, we had succeeded in gathering a good supply of gum that was very tasty for years.

We reached Rexburg, Idaho in the year of 1904 and that is where I got my schooling and grew to womanhood enjoying the Teton River where we fished, skated and also played ball and had our Easter lunches with friends in the meadow, which was between our place and the Teton River.

In the fall, we would gather wild fruits to make jam and jellies from the riverbanks. One year, we children took a little farm wagon and hauled enough kindling wood to last a year. We took great delight in storing the wood in proper legths then cording it neatly in a small building. The haul was aorund a mile or better to where the quaking aspen were. I think credit should be given to any group of children who could do that, although I don’t think I had too much to do with it, at the age of five and a half.

One year, the river overflowed it’s banks washing several homes away below us and putting fish all over the meadow. After the water went down we children had a good time catching fish that were a foot or more long with our hands. We filled a couple of tubs full. Mother quickly cleaned them and set to work bottling and pickling them. They came in handy later. I can still taste those pickled fish, a favorite dish for me.

There are many fond memories while growing up like the times when we would weed the gardens and be released to take a swim and the excitement of having father or mother go with us in a canal which ran through our place. Father, being a good swimmer would often go to a railroad bridge which was a block or so away. He would swim his different strokes or float to us. I would always look on with interest and amazement, as I never learned to swim. I was the the only one in the family who could not swim.

At the holiday seasons we would look forward to a box that we would receive from Grandma and Grandpa Goodliffe who owned a small store in Snowville, Utah. On Christmas Eve, I have seen Father rise from his bed, where he had laid all day, as his health was not good after returning from Canada. He would walk up town, which was ten to twelve blocks away to get some candy and nuts for the stockings on Christmas day. Later on in my life, I have wondered at times like these. if we children showed our appreciations like we should have, as I think we were blessed with wonderful parents and we loved them very dearly.

In the year 1915, in the fall, a young man by the name of Franklin Amos Terry came into my life. We met at a dance where he had danced several dances with me. Then at the close of the dance he asked me, “What would be the chances of taking you home?” Not paying much attention to what he said, I said, “Sure.” Right after, it dawned on me what he had said. I began to wonder what to do as my girlfriends and I had promised each other that we would not let one of us go home with a stranger, without two of us being together. It happened that I found out that my friend, Helen Gee, a neighbor of mine, had also made a date and the four of us left together.

We were not as lucky as the young people of today to have cars to do their courting in. Our standby was the buggy and horse or to walk from place to place. In the winter it was the bob sleigh and I enjoyed many a good sleigh ride. They would heat big rocks or bricks and put clean straw in the sleigh feet deep then place quilts to sit on and we had a quilt over us and we would be as comfortable as being in the living room. There would always be from twelve to sixteen in the sleigh and we would pass the time singing all the popular songs and listen to the most exciting events of each other. One time, when it was cold and everyone had covered up their heads with the quilts and left the horses to follow the road as they wished and just after they came to a bridge across a branch of the Snake River, the horses turned too short. Over we went, sleigh, straw and all on to the ice. Lucky for us that the river was frozen! The boys quickly tipped the sleigh up but they did not bother with the straw or warm rocks so we had a cold ride the rest of the way home which was ten to twelve miles as we had attended a dance at Teton, a small town where we often went to dances.

After Franklin took me home that first time, he asked for another date. I remember the night he came. It had been raining very hard. I was waiting for his knock when mother came into the room and said, “Ellen he will never come in this storm, why don’t you go to bed.” But just then there was his knock and he stood with his wet clothes. You see he had traveled four to five miles in a buggy with a small top and had something over his lap that had given him no protection against weather of this kind. I made mother acquainted with him and set forth to drying his coat by hanging it on a chair by the fire. He stood drying his pants as best he could. But we had a pleasant evening talking and listening to the patter of the rain. The next morning I was told by mother that, “I better look out for him as he meant business and that I had better get rid of him.”

But after three months of courtship, dancing, shows and buggy riding the time came that he was desirous to speak to my parents for me. We happened to be in the living room with my older brother Wilford. Father and mother were in the kitchen, I was sitting on the piano bench with Wilford at my side when I received a nod from Franklin indicating that he wanted me to go with him to see my parents. Wilford knew at once what was up and said to me, “What do you mean, you can’t do that now.” Franklin was determined and walked into the kitchen. I guess luck was with him as father had stepped out and he had the chance to talk to mother first for a few minutes and figured he had her on his side when in walked father. His answer right off was, “I should say not.” Mother seeing things and taking a second though said, “Let’s not give our answer tonight. Let us wait and let him know on Thanksgiving Day as he will be over for Thanksgiving dinner.” So we had a long week wondering just what the answer would be. But after dinner was over and the dishes were done and they had been told all about his folks and had read one letter that his parents had wrote to him, they told him it would be alright if he would promise to take the very best care of me.

We were married on the 8th of December in 1915 at Sugar City Idaho a small place a short distance from Rexburg. We left to make our home in southern Utah, in Enterprise [where Franklin was from].

Then December the 16th, we went though the St. George Temple and were married for time and eternity. Iola, a sister of my husband, and Earnest were married at the same time. This gave us company and we did not feel so alone and frightened.

There were ten lovely children born to us. Six lovely girls and four strong sons who were eager to help. At the time we had but six children and the times were not good, we found out that there was a good opportunity for work in the Redwood Forest of California. We decided to take the oldest children from school, just before time to let school out and started to California in a Model A Ford and a small two-wheel trailer. The Model A Ford was a lucky prize possession of Franklin because he had won it in a drawing, his was the lucky ticket in 1928.

When we reached California we found the snow was too deep for us all to go to Camp Ten where the work was, so the children and myself, along with Iola and her children stayed, in Susanville while the men went to work at Camp Ten. In a week or so they came for us and we enjoyed a ride on a flat motor car with a few men that was going to work, leaving the cars and trailer behind to be picked up later. This long flat car with no seats or top and us all sitting on the floors gave us a good chance to see the scenery all over. As we went into the forest we could see big tall straight trees, most of them from three to five feet in diameter. The further we went the thicker and prettier the scenery became.

After getting things in order in the home that had been prepared for us with the yearning of something to do we would go out to watch the men at work felling and limbing trees with their long saws which took two men, one on each end. With their wedges they would bring the trees down in the right direction even if it was on a hillside and tipped the opposite way they would always bring it down the way they desired and just before it came down they would call out, “Timber, Timber” and everyone would be out of its way. Then there was a big bulldozer, which was used to move the logs to trucks and load them on railroad cars after they had been cut into lengths and limbed. We would often see the train with the loaded cars going up and around the turns in and out among the trees. Sometimes we would hold our breath for it looked like train and all would go rolling down the hills at the sharp turns.

At one time as we were walking through the trees teh children started for a squirrel thinking they would have a pet. They got a real surprise as the squirrel came straight for them flying through the air and all but hitting them in the face. These little pets were called flying squirrels, something we had not seen before.

We stayed in California until late in the summer and then returned home. Later Franklin got work in Caliente, Nevada working on the railroad in the tunnels. In the years of 1939-1948 we spent our summers living on our ranch which was twelve miles from Enterprise where we milked ten to fifteen head of milk cows and had twenty to forty pigs which was a side issue from farming the two farms at Enterprise.

One evening just before sunset, I noticed a deer come limping into the meadow. It looked like it was really lame and my heart when out to it thinking someone had shot it. But to my surprise just before it reached some willows it took off on all four legs, nothing wrong, and bounded to saftey in the willows. While up there, I would love to watch for the deer as they came into the meadow with their playful pranks.

Then the War was declared and the boys were drafted into service. Gordon went first, being the oldest and we spent our first Christmas without all of us being together.

But it was while they were in the service that I gained one of my strongest testimonies, as he was stricken with spnal meningitis. We received word through the doctors each day stating his condition which was not encouraging. It happened that I was the one to pick up the mail that morning with the news of his illness and eager to hear the news opened the letter on leaving the post office. The news upset me but as I reached the corner of the church building which was just across the street there was something that came over me so strong and it made me know that he would be alright and would return home in safety. The depressed feeling was lifted and I became perfectly contented and calm, no one could make me feel different after that.

It seems that throughout my life, I have been blessed with some inward feeling, which gave me understanding, when things were going wrong and many times my prayers have been answered at those times.

Then Clifford, our second son, while in the service was reported as missing and help came again. It happened that his captain and Clifford were taking a number of prisoners in at this time. But when he came home and showed us his helmet with that bullet hole in the rim which he had received while in battle and we were told by him that his helmet had spun aruond his head but had laid still as he had been taught to lay on his stomach while shooting and the two enemies thinking him dead had gone off and left him. It causes many thoughts to pass through our minds and made us very thankful that things had turned out like they had as his buddy was killed right beside him at the time. These two sons were the only ones in our family to go over seas. But the other two served their time in the United States.

Wendell spent his time in the United States going from camp to camp watching his buddies go over seas, but by some kind ofhelp from our Heavenly Father, he was left behind.

Arnold volunteered just before he was 18 years old and was only in six months and then returned home due to his father’s health. Oh yes, there were times when we had our ups and downs some were big and some small but with the help of or Heavenly Father we came through with flying colors.

In the year of 1949, with most of the children married, the doctors told Franklin to sell his farms and find something easier to do than farming, as his health was not too good. So after talking things over we decided to move to Salt Lake where some of the married children were living and work for the railroad, something he had done throughout his life when not working on the farms. He worked at Salt Lake for six months and then we transferred to Elko, Nevada to work. We had many lonely hours while there although we did gain many friends.

While there in the year of 1952, Franklin suffered a heart attack on Thanksgiving day. Six months later, he suffered a stroke. He was unable to work so he took a ‘lay off’ for a while and thinking he would regain his health a lot faster and that it would be a lot nicer to be close to some of the children and twenty eight grandchildren, came back to Salt Lake. It was then that we were taken by the children first one then the other to see the sights of Great Salt Lake and the canyons, mining towns, skiing resorts which we enjoyed very much and it did help and give us a change in thought; while Franklin was trying to regain hishealthy and gave us something to do.

Our children have taken us on many trips such as when Clifford and Eileen, his wife, gave us the pleasure of taking a trip with them where we went through Bryce and Zions National Parks and also the Valley of Fire in Nevada which is all red rocks, ground and all, it is very hot there. We also went to Las Vegas. A trip we enjoyed very much with all expenses paid.

Later I had the opportunity of seeing Zions National Park and I could hardly believe it was the same place. It was so much more colorful than as it was just after a hard rainstorm. And as we traveled Highway 89, I got to see Mt. Carmen and the Big Rock Candy Mountain with its many beautiful colors.

Gordon and Pauline took us to Yellowstone National Park and I found things were changed there since I was there as a girl. It was hard to find the geysers where we had washed our clothes and things seemed to be different.

We spent one summer with Wendell at Boulder City where he was working and saw Lake Mead and went through the Boulder Dam many times. So you see, I have had the opportunity of seeing many places throughout my life and I am very thankful for it.

As I have not completed this story, I will add this lvoely trip. On May 14th, 1958, Arnold our youngest son came over to see us and said, “Well, are you ready to go to Washington?” He knew that I had been trying to get there for some time but thinking of his job I said, “I don’t know, I will have to think things over.” But it seemed he wasn’t going to be put off as his wife came over the next morning bright and early, at this time he had two jobs that he could turn to as his boss a few years back at Frito’s had called Pauline, a daughter-in-law, and told her that Arnold had a job there any time and would like to talk to him. So he figured that even if he lost his present job he could turn to the one at Frito’s, which was just as good pay, and we decided to go. He went to his present boss and he gave him a week off and by 10:30 we were off, leaving the two grandchildren with their other grandma. As we traveled through the state of Idaho, we enjoyed seeing part of Idaho I had never seen. But when we came into the state of Oregon with its rolling hills all overed with grain crops up to our waist and all headed out by the middle of May, we were amazed. Sometimes the cattle would be feeding in the grass one to two feet high. It was on these rolling hills that the Chinese pheasants were darting in and out here and there. We could smell some kind of flowers that perfumed our way as we traveled along the road. On reaching the state of Washington with its thick underbrush and the tall straight firs and the green grass that made a pleasing sight, also in Oregon, but it seemed Oregon did not have so much underbrush and the trees were not so thick. The trees were tall and straight and the diameter around one to two feet, somewhat smaller than the redwood at California. We only went over one high pass while going up called the Chinook pass where we found snow four to five feet deep and close to the top was a lake which was frozen over with a thin layer of ice which seemed strange to see at this time of the year. There was another high pass called Mt. Raineier, which was 14,408 feet high, but it was closed and only opened about two months of the year. I was told that this route was more dangerous but very pretty.

While we were at Jean and George’s home, we had the opportunity to take a ride on the ferry across Puget Sound from Renton Port to Seattle Port, taking our car right along with us and while we were on the ferry we could tell when the ocean tide came in as it would tip the ferry up to one side then when it would go out it would straighten up again. There were markings showing the route, which was from two to three feet hight from the water and every mile or so from these markings there would be a tinkling of a bell.

When we reached Seattle’s Port we got into our cars and taking a different route on land around an island making a complete circle and saw a great number swimming, boat riding and some water-skiing. Then in the evening we went across the floating bridge which was lighted up and I judge it to be a mile or so long. There was room for four cars side by side and as we were going across we were told of a truck with a load of cattle that had tipped over on its side. They said, what caused the truck to tip over was that teh waveshad splashed up onto the bridge making it wet and slippery due to a windstorm. We were told that the bridge was made of barrels that were tied together to hold the bridge up. The bridge seemed to set right on the water but as we traveled along it seemed very strong and safe.

We also attended a good Sunday School and saw the army barracks at Fort Lewis and Tacoma where Wendell and George spent a lot of time while in the army. I think there are many things that would be of interest and one could spend much time sight seeing in Washington and along the way such as Mt. Hood, John Day Dam, Hells Canyon and Switzerland of America. These all seem very interesting to me if one had the time to do so.

Just before we left Jean’s she said, “Take the long way back, the scenery will be pretty.” I have never been sorry. First, we came to more forest then came the big Columbia River which we decided was six to seven blocks across looking very dangerous. At first we saw plenty of boats and ferries but after the first dam there was only a few. We passed two big dams, as we were going along our thoughts were turned to the pioneers who crossed through these places and could see the hardhsips they must of went through while crossing the Columbia River and through the thick forest and underbrush. As we were traveling along I noticed a long ferry with a big truck and car on it out in the middle of the river. We thought it to be a ferry that did the freighting. There was also a large boat I figured it to be a fishing boat as it seemed to be stopped or just barely moving. We arrived home the latter part of May.

Then on August 22nd, 1958, Wendell and Lorna asked us to go with them to Seattle Washington with epxnese paid except our own meals and our rooms. We took the same route by the Columbia River and I was surprised to see the river so low. I judge it had dropped from seven to eight feet. We stopped at the Dallas Dam and saw the sights around there and after we returned home we were told that if we had stopped at the Bonneville Dam we might have seen the salmon trying to come back up stream at that point. The Oregon rolling hills were now all covered with grain stubble and everything looked so much different than at spring. Once on a high point we came onto eight or ten deer climbing the mountains, some of them had long horns and looked to be six or eight years old. They didn’t seem to be very frightened as Wendell and Franklin commented on how easy it would be to get one. At Seattle, Wendell did very well in the heavy traffic and a city of 700,000 people, the largest city I had ever been in. Wendell did all the driving while Lorna set with map in hand telling him when and where to turn. We only got lost once and that was at night becasue we coudl not see the signs. We had another ferry ride to an island where people took the ferry twice a day going to and from work. We also saw the government locks, which were quite fascinating and interesting and while there we saw one navy boat being towed in by two smaller boats. They were taking it to be repaired. As we stood there, we saw fish from fourteen to sixteen inches long jumping up out of the water. We also crossed the floating bridge again. After three days at Jean’s we started for home taking a different route up through northeast Washington and down through Idaho which took us a day longer. To me the country reminded me of Washington and Oregon with its acres and acres of grain fields on the same kind of rolling hills, the timber in Idaho was just about the same as Washington. On the way we left the highway and went to see Coulee Dam, one of the largest dams ever made. We had a gentle rain every now and then which made it cool for traveling. There were times when we would be up on a hill and have to go around and around curves to get down into the valley or city. At one place we dropped below sea level. Then after going through the city, we would climb up again with the same kind of turns. We followed the Salmon River in Idaho and with its swift current it has earned the name of the River of No Return because it is restricted travel upon it to down stream only.

It is now September 4th with us all still living. Franklin is not well but he is a lot better. The children are all married, and two granddaughters are married. Jean and George living in Washington but planning on coming back this way. Jewel and Meade and their two children at Cedar City, Utah and Leila and Pete with their five children are at Milford, Utah. These two places are close to our old hometown in southern Utah. While Leona and Jennings and their two children are at Orem, Utah just an hours drive from Salt Lake. While the rest are in or close to Salt Lake where we can enjoy them. May the good Lord have mercy, bless and protect them always in the right ways of life by doing good and following the teachings of the Gospel which was been handed down to us for many generations are the prayers of a humble mother.

This short story was requested by LaVerna on her 31st birthday and you see I have failed to get it to her. It has taken me a year to gather my thoughts and put them on paper so thought it would be nice to add a few genealogy sheets and make it a Christmas present for each. It still isn’t just like I would like, but would take more time and money so please overlook the mistakes and consider them as hugs and kisses.

 May 10th, 2014
Written by Dorothy Cannon Hammond (Ellen Anna’s Granddaughter):

Ellen and Franklins large posterity treasure the preceding pages. Grandma hand wrote these pages and many others for her ten children and their families. She did this without the aid of a typewriter, computer or spell check. I have tried to leave everything as she wrote it with a few exceptions to help clarify meaning and to correct spelling.

I am so amazed at her commitment and dedication to share her story with us. She was such an outstanding role model for me and has always had a great influence upon me.

Grandpa suffered more strokes, each one causing more damage. Grandma tenderly cared for him. He would move from one place to another by sitting on a brown wooden chair that wheels had been attached to. He tried to play his violin and always tried to read and quote scriptures. Even when his speech was affected he tried to preach the Gospel.

They lived in their trailer house in Salt Lake City. The trailer court was located between Main Street and State Street approximately at 1300 South. Some of the tall trees remain; a large church has been built where the original trailer court was located.

I remembered the day that Grandpa died. My mother received a phone call saying that he was failing and that we needed to come quickly. I went with her and we picked up Grandma and drove to the old County Hospital on 2100 South and Main Street. I was 15 years old and had never experienced anything similar. We went into the large ward where Grandpa laid. I remember that Grandma was very sad and stressed. Grandpa died later that day, December 27th, 1960. His wife, four sons, six daughters, thirty-two grandchildren and two great grandchildren, one brother and six sisters survived him. His funeral was held in Salt Lake City in the Harvard Ward. He was buried in Enterprise, Utah Cemetery.

Grandma was very strong as I watched her during this difficult time. Her courage and strength of character were evident thought these difficult days. She seemed to know that her example would help the entire family navigate through this time of trial and separation. In the months that followed she was completely dependent on others for transportation, as she had never driven a car. Her daughter, LaVerna, taught her how to drive and encouraged her to get her license. Grandma did very well and actually drove to LaVerna’s home by herself one time. On the day they went to get her license they asked for LaVerna’s license, it had expired and so they were unable to allow Grandma to take her tests. Aunt LaVerna had to take the test three times before passing it and before that happened, Arnold needed to borrow Grandma’s car. He never was able to return it to her and so she didn’t not have a car anymore and never received her driver’s license. Aunt LaVerna siad that Grandma was a very good driver and would have been able to do many more things had she had a car.

At the age of 65, she was thrilled to climb to Timpanogos Cave in Provo Canyon, something she had always desired to do. Having made this hike a couple of times, I am truly impressed as it is quite steep and difficult.

She went to the temple often and usually did two sessions whenever she went. She came to the temple with me when I took out my endowments and sat on one side of me and my mother sat on the other side. Granma helped straighten my veil ties and I still remember the smile she gave me. She was so happy that I was going through the temple! I always remember her doing that and sharing that meaningful time with me and my mother.

She also did much genealogy and was active in all auxiliaries in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We used to talk on the telephone every Sunday morning when my husband was fulfilling his church assignments. We loved to share the things we learned in Relief Society and to talk about articles we had read in the Relief Society Magazine. After I moved to Sandy, I didn’t get to see her as often since we only had one car. I remember she and Aunt LaVerna tried to visit me, but the address had been written down incorrectly so they never found our home in Sandy.

Grandma spent her life doing things for others and taking care of others. She managed to raise ten children through the Great Depression by working hard and teaching her children to do the same. All of the Terry children are hard workers and have provided well for their children. She had a large garden and canned vegetables and fruit each year. She loved to quilt and sew. She make quilts for all of her children and many of her grandchildren received quilts as wedding gifts. In order to do this, she would save their old clothing and cut it into quilt blocks, which she would sew into beautiful designs. She made templates out of brown paper sacks and newspapers. She would put a quilt up in their small one bedroom trailer house. It would sit on chairs in the small living room and she would sit on the sofa and hand quilt them. I remember many times climbing under the quilt and sitting beside her on the sofa as she quilted away. When I am having an extra difficult day, I still wrap her quilt around me and feel her arms encircling me with her special love.

She was always productive and made gifts by crocheting, sewing and cooking. Although they were never rich they were generous with all that they had and were willing to share with others. I remember the yummy nippy cheese that she would give to me when I was so hungry. She had to walk to a small grocery store to buy her groceries where they had the best cheese I have ever tasted.

When I was a child my father was ill and I spent a lot of my early childhood being cared for by her. I remember sleeping between Grandma and Grandpa in their icy cold bed in Enterprise. I remember that the upstairs had no heat and that some of the upstairs was only roughed in, and that you had to walk on two-by-fours to get from one side of the house to the girls bedroom on the other side. Grandpa Terry bought me my very first Hershey with Almonds candy bar; it is still my most favorite candy! He took me with him when he had his water turn and he made me whistles out of snake grass as he took care of the water. They had ten children of their own but managed to take care of me when I needed their help, I am most grateful for them both.

When I saved enough money to attend Brigham Young University, Grandma asked me to stop on my way to Provo. I had worked and saved every penny to fulfill my goal of obtaining a college education. I remember working my last day at Fry Roofing Company in Woods Cross, going home and packing all of my belongings into my 1956 Chevrolet and heading for Provo. I stopped to see Grandma and tell her goodbye. I was so surprised to be given a beautiful twin size quilt that she had made especially for me. It was the only new thing that I took with me to BYU and I cherish it. That quilt has brought me much comfort and means so much to me. I know each stitch represents love and the hopes that she had for me to be successful and to make something out of myself. I hope that I never let her down.

I can’t ever remember seeing my Grandma cry. She only was impatient with me one time – on the day that Grandpa died! What an amazing, talented, wonderful and patient Granma she was. I love her dearly.

I was present when Arnold Hunt gave her a priesthood blessing before her gall bladder surgery. He told her that Heavenly Father was proud of her, and that he had lived a good life. He said that she could go Home if she wanted or she could remain on the earth. After the blessing, Grandma asked each of her children what she should do. Aunt LaVerna told me that she couldn’t tell her what to do although she wanted to tell her to stay. I remember my last visit with Grandma. I knew she was very ill and I was not able to tell her how much she meant to me. As I spent the evening with her that last time we were alone. I sat on a chair in her hospital room and worked on preparing a Primary lesson for the following day. How I wish that I had held her longer in my arms and expressed my deep love and gratitude in a more meaningful way. As I drove home from Cottonwood Hospital to my home in Sandy, I remember singing hymns and praying that she would be blessed and able to remain on the earth, I was not ready to let her go. I could not say goodbye, I could not express my feelings.

Grandma had the surgery and was doing well. They told us that she could be moved into the Ward the next day; everyone was so relieved and happy. However, the next morning Uncle Clifford called Aunt LaVerna at 7:00 a.m. and told her that she had passed away in the night. Apparently, Grandma decided that she wanted to be with Grandpa and and her loved ones in Heaven. She died on January 7th, 1972 at the age of 74. She was survived by all ten children, forty-two grandchildren, nineteen great grandchildren, one brother and two sisters. She was buried next to Grandpa in the Enterprise, Utah Cemetery on January 11th, 1972.

On December 7th, 1972, I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, I named her Ellen Ann after my Grandmother. I didn’t know Grandma’s name was Ellen Anna until years later when I obtained her birth certificate. My mother, Ellen Arvetta was named after her and I was named after Grandma and my mother. Ellen has left a great and noble legacy to all of her descendants; I truly do call her a blessed woman whose price if far above rubies. I shall always stive to follow her great example.

ELLEN ANNA GOODLIFFE TERRY

Short story of her life that she gave to me, her granddaughter Dorothy Ellen C. Hammond

This is a short story of my life which I gave over the tape recorder for Jay Barker who is seeking genealogy.  Dorothy you are a lovely granddaughter, one that is willing to do all you can to help your parents out.  You have a very brave and courageous mother.  Always remember that she needs help and do all you can for her as I know you will receive many blessings for it and since you have requested this copy here it is.  Jay has asked me to give you a few thoughts on genealogy.  I am sure this will be very tiring and dull.  He seems to be very earnest so I have decided to try to fill the bill or wishes.

I was born at Stone, Idaho, on March 7^th, 1898.  I received my blessing and name at Snowville, Utah on April 10^th, 1898, by my Grandfather Goodliffe [Arnold Goodliffe] through adoption, who was a Patriarch and I was promised that my table would be spread with the bounties of life which I feel has come true. 

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• Patriarch Arnold Goodliffe – Paternal Grandfather
  

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• Esther Arbon Goodliffe – Paternal Grandmother
  

 We left Utah when I was about four years old and went to Canada with my mother driving one team and a covered wagon which was the only means of traveling at that time.  While there I witnessed a very cold winter and remember mother hanging quilts to the windows to help keep out the cold, as the frost gathered on the door and window frames and the plaster on the wall became wet.  I also saw my sister Arnetta get baptized in ice cold water where a hole had been cut in the ice three to five feet thick.  She was baptized and ran to the house a little distance in the cold and with wet clothes on but never even took a cold through the exposure. 

On our way back (to America) we went through the Yellowstone National Park and stayed there a while, washing clothes in the small glaciers and seeing the other sights enjoying it all. I remember while there Father, Wilford and others were walking along the shore of a lake and going for a swim.  Father without a word picked Wilford, my brother up and tossed him into the lake saying, “Swim or drown.”  Of course, Father was there if Wilford needed him.  It seems to me that this was one of his favorite tricks as he was always ducking one of us or throwing us into the water.  After we reached Rexburg, Idaho, as we lived by two canals and he knew that it was far our best good that we learned to swim.  Knowing Father, I would always keep out of his way and therefore, I am the only one in the family that did not learn to swim.  We caught Francis, my brother hanging on with all his might to a limb one day while the water sent his body back and forth in the stream. We arrived in Rexburg just before I turned six so I received my schooling at Rexburg and there grew to womanhood helping my parents in any way that I could.  I used to cook from four to six breakfasts in the mornings getting first one, then the other off to work as each had a different time to be to work.  Then later gave the rest of them their breakfast.  I have often thought how close our family was, as when the garden was to be weeded or work to be done we worked together and then go for a swim having Mother or Father go with us.  We generally had birthday dinners and at the holiday dinners we all looked forward to and enjoyed very much as father would help cook the dinners and we knew we would have a treat.  Mother would often get us three older children and let us compete with each other in multiplication tables, adding and subtraction.  I, although the youngest was able to go right along with them in these, sometimes getting the answers first.  But, when it came to spelling I took the back seat as they were older than I.  Sometimes we children would rise early and go out and catch a good mess of fish before breakfast.  I think I was blessed with a happy home and wonderful parents causing me to be very proud to be a part of.

Jay would like me to describe father [Henry Arbon Goodliffe].  He was tall, his height close to six feet or better.  He had dark hair, and eyes.  He was a kind, considerate man who loved to help others and gave many a breakfast or supper.  He worked for his family until his health broke.  I have seen him suffer a great deal but never complained.  He came across the Atlantic Ocean at the age of nine and was met by an Uncle by the name of William Tonbs who brought him to Logan, Utah and was later adopted by Grandfather and Grandmother Goodliffe.  I do not remember them only that I had a lot of respect for them.  Mother [Anna Jane Josephson Goodliffe] was around 5 feet tall with blue eyes and auburn hair. She would become quite provoked if we called it anything else.  I loved to comb her hair. 

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  Charles Lars Josephson
  Ellen’s Maternal Grandfather

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  Anna Jane Josephson
  Ellen’s Maternal Grandmother

 

 

Mother’s parents I remember as being around five feet in height, Grandfather [Charles Lars Josephson] had blue eyes and were quite fair while Grandmother [Anna Isabell Isaacson Josephson] had dark eyes and hair that I loved to comb and try to fix to suit her.  She was kind but stern and we children generally did as we were told.  I have many fond memories of them that I will cherish forever.

At the age of seventeen years and nine months I was married to a young man from southern Utah.  There was a short courtship of only three months.  When Franklin asked my parents for my hand Father turned him down at first but later he had their permission.  We were married at Sugar City, Idaho by Bishop Alfred Ricks on December 8, 1915 then on December 16, 1915 we went through the Saint George Temple with Franklin’s sister who was getting married at the same time.

We made our home in southern Utah and have spent a life of happiness, had some trials and some disappointments.  I have lived at Susanville, California and later went to Camp Ten up in the tall timbers while Franklin worked in the timber.  We lived at Pocatello, Idaho, Caliente, Panaca and Boulder City of Nevada, Enterprise, Cedar City and Salt Lake City of Utah.

We have done some traveling through California, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Utah.  We have seen the National Parks, some of the dams and different sights in these places.  I have been a teacher in Primary helping the boys become deacons.  I taught Sunday school and have been a Relief Society teacher.  I have seen a few of the presidents of the church and some apostles.  I marvel at the strong character each one possessed.  I think Apostle Ballard left the strongest impression on me.  We were at a conference at Enterprise and as he was speaking some of the people after conference said, “They had seen a bright light circling around his head.”  I felt that if I turned my head I would see our Lord and Savior. I think this is the last time I had a chance to see him as he died shortly after. (Melvin Joseph Ballard died 30 July 1939, age 66—Grandma would have been 41 years of age) I could tell of several faith promoting experiences that took place with different people but feel this is not the time.  Throughout my life my testimony has grown stronger and I know that through faith and prayer if we live right and try to keep His commandments we will never go astray.  I have done some temple work and genealogy, in fact I made a Book of Remembrance for each of my children with my life story of 13 pages so if any of you wish to go into detail more find one of those books, I also wrote a short story of Mother and Father.  It really did sound good to hear mother after so many years on the tape recorder and as each of you took your turns.  It was almost like having you here with us.  Jay is doing something that he will treasure forever.  Arnetta and Joe must be very proud of their children.  Kleda with her little family and Jay.  Haven’t see Keith much, but hear he is doing find.  I just wish Jay could have come sooner then we could have had Franklin playing his violin.  He is improving nicely and I hope to see him walking again soon.

Well Jay I do hope this meets your approval and be sure you take good care of that tape recorder and records for it is worth millions and will bring back many happy memories and joy throughout your years to come.  We certainly appreciate your visit and come back again.  I ask the Lord’s blessings to be with each of you, that you will have peace, love and happiness always.

I don’t know when this recording was made.  I was present when it was done at my Aunt Laverna’s home.  Grandpa Terry was still alive. (Franklin Amos died 27 Dec 1960