Doug & Rhea get together

Rhea is a daughter to Roy and Vera.

This video was put together rather hastily for a Christmas surprise this year.  I'd collected the photos and interview footage in previous months and years before, and I'd always MEANT to assemble something up this avenue, but never got around to it.  I'm glad I finally did.  :)

Doug & Rhea get together from Sare & Jamo on Vimeo.

Password hint:

What is the name of Doug & Rhea's baby of the family? 

(Caps sensitive)

Roy Taylor death particulars

Roy Taylor was Vera's father.

The following is a brief written memory of Roy from his grandson, Gene, and gives further details surrounding his death.

From the personal albums of Gene Nyberg

Writing transcribed:
"I was ordained a Deacon by my Grandfather Taylor, Dec. 21, 1941.  He was always "Papa" to Loa and I.  We were with him so much when we were kids and heard the family call him Papa, so we called him Papa too.
He said the opening prayer to the Christmas party Fri. Dec. 19, 1941.  Ordained me a Deacon on Sunday, the last church ordinance he performed.
He died the next Friday Dec. 26, 1941, of a heart attack.  He went out to close the chicken coop door after the chicken's had gone to roost.  When my grandmother opened the door, he was lying in the yard on his face.  She got a pillow and a blanket and went out, turned him over, put the pillow under his head, covered him up and ran to her son Rex's place a half mile away.  There was snow on the ground.  She was so out of breath all she could say was, "Rex come quick".  She didn't think Papa was dead.  Rex and George Walkup took her back home and got Papa in the house.  He was dead."
*Spelling and punctuation adjusted by me.

Vera Huber written tribute poem

The following is a Tribute written about Vera Huber at the time of her death.

The writer is unknown, but it was found in the personal albums of Doris Sessions.

Not transcribed but still easily read by clicking on the image.

Letter to Elmer from his mother

Elmer Huber was Roy's eldest brother.

The following is a letter addressed to Elmer and his family from his mother, Maggie Huber.  It was written in 1933 while Maggie was living in Midway, UT.

From the personal albums of Shirley Jensen

Letter transcribed:

"Midway Wed 14th 1933

Dear Elmer and all-

Just a line.  Find enclosed your Insurance Receipt.  Mine and Yours came together.  Thanks a lot.  Thought I would tell you not to bother to come after me, at the end of the week.  I know you are all too busy watering and everything and even to write a line, so if Mr. Tut will call for me sometime this summer it will be all right.  I can't hardly leave either- everything will burn up (in) this hot weather.  I sprinkle every afternoon from 4 to six just had the lot turned 13th 2 to 4 a.m.  Steele turned it in for me.  Sure been hot the last few days.  Guess you will soon be cutting hay.  How are all the kiddies and everybody?  I have some beautiful flowers out now- would love to hand all the girls a beautiful bouquet of lilies, honeysuckle, and pansies, they are just grand now.  I won't get my R.F.C. 'til the end of the week if then- they cut everybody this month so I guess it won't be much I get, but I already drew it out at Bonners.  I had to get a shovel an ax handle, and other things to eat, so all I have to do is to turn (it) all in.  Some of the men have gone to the Forests to work.  Times don't seem much better yet.  Guess you saw where Geo. Remmond and Cynthia ? Schear eloped and got married.

Also where Paul Clark got a divorce from Polly.  She is all broke up about it, but said she would be a good sport and make the best of it.  Don't know the reason.  She was up Sunday.  Clynton and Verda have gone down to Bountiful for a month to pick berries.  Steele has made his place nicer than ever this Spring.  That's all he does though- work in his garden and flowers.  Had a fine trip to Salt Lake last week but was awful tired 2 days after.  Got me some glasses for my eyes and Shirley a little apron was all I bought.  

Must close for this time.  Hope to hear from you soon.  

Love to all,

As ever Mother

Shirley (XO)

Merlin (XO)"

*Spelling, grammar, and punctuation corrected wherein I was aware.

Coy Hayward newspaper profile

Coy Hayward was Vera's brother-in-law, married to Vera's older sister, Cora.

Coy Hayward
Found in the personal albums of Gene Nyberg
Image cropped from a larger photo

Coy and Cora never had any living children, but they were definite movers & shakers in their community of Bountiful, Utah in the mid-20th century.

The following is a local newspaper clipping of a personality profile, focused on Coy Hayward, his history, and his impact on the community.  As it's rather lengthy I won't transcribe it here, but it should still be fairly legible to those interested in reading it.

Part One:

SOURCE: Davis County Clipper 1969, Jun 6, p.18
Found in the personal albums of Gene Nyberg

 Part Two:

SOURCE: See indication above

Letters to Elmer

Elmer was Roy's eldest brother.

Elmer's posterity was wise enough to keep some of his correspondence with his parents.

This first one is a postcard that was sent to him from his mother, Maggie, apparently when she was visiting in Vernal, UT.  As she wrote on the back of it, her words have been transcribed on the side by the postcard's current owner:

From the personal albums of Shirley Jensen

 Postcard writing transcribed:
"Dear Elmer,
How are you and Frank making out.  Take good care of things.  We will start home next week.  We are having a good time But the road was so long.  I like Vernal the vallie is nice.  We have had a good feed of green corn.  There is lots of fruit here.  We are going to Heb Ward les- today.  We went up town yesterday.  We got here Tuesday about 10 o'clock
Be a good boy
Loveling
Mother"

This next letter is from Elmer's father, Henry Albert.  I think it's amazing to have a copy of this document as I've come across very little written by Henry Albert thus far:

From the personal albums of Shirley Jensen

Letter writing transcribed:

"Midway Sep 16 1918

Dear Elmer

I am going to Heber and try and lend you som money I have been over twice but I could not send it the first telegram you sent the Western Union would not take it with out a more permanent address I went over the next time and it was the same so I sent you a telegram to send a more permanent address but have not heard any thing of it so I thought I would send you a PC money order this morning we are all well at present 

Jo came home saturday we are getting read to thrash and haven't mutch time if you had of given me some bank or number or regement they would have taken it.

Yours H A Huber"

This letter is particularly nice to have as Henry Albert died less than two years later from writing this (in May 1920).

More on Cora T Hayward

Cora Taylor Hayward was Vera's older sister.

She and her husband, Coy Hayward, had no surviving children but were a tremendous asset to their community in Bountiful, Davis, UT.

Cora Hayward
From personal albums of Martin Taylor

Cora Hayward
From personal albums of Della/Gene Nyberg

"Coy Hayward, Maxine Taylor (niece) and Cora with dogs"
From personal albums of Cheryl Murray

Cora Hayward Fund:

SOURCE: Davis County Clipper 1974, Oct 25, p.9
Not transcribed as column of article is obscured

Cora Hayward Awards notice:

SOURCE: Davis County Clipper 1972, Jun 2, p.6
Not transcribed as some recipients may still be living

Five generations

Following is a newspaper clipping & photo showcasing how both Vera and Roy lived long enough to see a 5-generational span.  Pretty cool.

From personal albums of Clayton Huber
NO SOURCE given, likely from Vernal Express in the 1980s
Not transcribed due to names of those still living.

Sherman Taylor the musician

Sherman Taylor was one of Vera's brothers.

The Taylor family was quite musically inclined, and Sherman picked up a bulk of the talent in playing musical instruments, namely the fiddle and the mandolin.

The following are a few photos and articles about his musical ability.

Local newspaper article:

SOURCE: Meeker Herald, 1982, Nov 25, p.?
Found in the personal albums of Gene/Della Nyberg

Local newspaper article transcribed:

Sherman Taylor's Musical Memories- They Don't Do The Two Step Anymore...

Looking Back... by Dolly Viscardi

Readin', 'ritin', and 'rithmetic may be some of the memories many have at the sight of an old country schoolhouse; but for 76-year-old Sherman Taylor, the sound of picking and fiddling are more vivid.

"We'd play till our arms were numb," recalls Taylor when he talks about dancing the night away to the sounds of the Yellow Creek Mockingbirds, the first band of which he was a member.  Playing for crowds in the schoolhouses at Bulford, Little Beaver, Piceance Creek, and out on the Mesa, the band became quite popular; and in their heyday, they entered a contest at the Odd Fellows Hall where regular dances were held.  Taylor remembers that "pretty little orchestras played there; well, we contested right alongside them.  We were a pickin' bunch... and we won."

Dancing till daylight, the ranchers would often invite the band back to the ranch houses for breakfast.  Taylor says that dances were not only more often in those days, they were very different as the two-step, the schottish, the Virginia reel, and the polka were still going strong.  He longs for the gracefulness of the old dance steps and says, "In those days, they used to put a little effort into their dance, now they just want to stand in one place."

Two years ago he met his friend, Bob Searcy, who plays guitar and sings while he plays the mandolin. They play well together and it was Searcy's interest that renewed his interest.  "Since Bob came, he's done a lot for me," notes Taylor' and in addition to playing for various gatherings, he and Searcy and some friends have played before the Meeker Massacre Pageant for the past couple of years.

Picking a tune not only involves keeping time, it involves passing time; and Taylor finds that his music keeps him from getting too lonely.  Playing for his own pleasure is his main reason for getting out the "old beat-up thing that only cost me $3."  But he maintains that it has a good tone and works well.  An interest in learning the piano and how to count time may generate his enrollment in a music class soon as he'd like to be able to apply what he learns in that area of music to his mandolin playing.

Playing by ear is what Taylor does best and he's picked up the chords and notes for a large repertoire of country tunes over the years.  He gets absorbed in the music as he is playing and he explains that, "I can't talk and play at the same time because my fingers are communicating.  If I interrupt the conversation between the brain and my fingers, I'm lost."

Taylor was born in 1906 and grew up on a farm west of Vernal.  After his contract expired here for delivering mail, he had a leather shop and then a grocery store before he retired to go back to farming.  He liked having his own business and remembers that his grocery store was the place where if people didn't buy anything, they'd just come to visit.  The shop was located on Market Street where Trendy Togs is today.  Although he still has a farm out on Strawberry, he says that he semi-retired six or seven years ago.

Getting out and meeting people is something that Taylor says he found hard to do after his wife passed away; and though his seven children and loads of grandchildren visit frequently, he found that going to the senior citizen luncheons was one of the best things that has happened to him.

The magic of Taylor's music lies not only in the sound but the enjoyment he gets while he gives to others.  He's discovering that old time country music is regaining popularity and that interest in the mandolin is growing.  He loves to share his knowledge of his instrument and the music and finds that music brings people together.  He's been meeting a lot of people he might not have had the chance to meet otherwise.

He admits that his 30 years of pickin' has him grinning; and for Sherman Taylor, that's saying a lot.  After all, as he puts it, "I'm not one to grin."

*Spelling & punctuation adjusted wherein I was aware.

 Newspaper article:

From the personal albums of Gene/Della Nyberg
Newspaper source & date is unknown, but assumed from a Colorado paper and written before Sherm's death in 2004.

Newspaper article transcribed:

Handful enjoy good old music now

Connie Clark- Religion writer

Whatever happened to music?

I found an answer to this question last week in Meeker when a small group of musicians brought back happy memoires of pleasant music during the warm-up before the Fourth of July annual Meeker Massacre Pageant.

Not rock, classical, hoedown nor jazz, but just good old music that has warmed the hearts of many, many down-to-earth folks over the years.  Songs included "Sweet Georgia Brown, "Tiger Rag," "Springtime in the Rockies" and "Melody of Love."  Undoubtedly an even marking of time and a lilting rhythm have become almost nostalgic in this day of electronic hard rock.

This music brought back memories of Saturday night get-togethers when entire families enjoyed the company of other families and friends.  No drin-in movies, television or other non-participating entertainment for them, but instead the warmth and companionship of sharing and knowing others for their true value as people.

Clean overalls or blue jeans and cotton gowns were the mode, not because of expensive fashion, but because of economy.  No $60 designer jobs where there.

I have always felt a certain thrill in the plink of a banjo.  As for a mandolin, we seldom hear its pleasant vibrato these days.  Hopefully, the guitar will always be with us, whether Spanish, classical or electronic.  All of these instruments combined in Meeker in a blend of notes and harmony leaving me feeling as though I had just consumed a smooth strawberry ice-cream cone.

I appreciate music, all kinds of music.  A concert in the park leaves me goose-bumpy.  Understandably, an evening with Pavarotti does the same.  Then what's a parade without 76 trombones?

Back to the classics, Bach comes out of the drawing rooms of the past into the synthesizers of present recording studios, and I understand it.  I'm actually beginning to understand hard rock, even though it is not music to me, but a sound and a beat.  Although I don't enjoy hard rock for several reasons it is a part of a searching society.  Some say it is Satan's magic baton.

The music I heart Thursday evening from our neighbors up the valley wasn't under the capable baton of a symphony director.  That happened with the Grand Junction Symphony, which presented an excellent concert there Sunday evening. The music I heard Thursday, however, was the creation of four people enjoying themselves on a simple stage set up in the bed of a truck.

Amplifiers were used to project the sounds of Bob and Eileen Searcy on their rhythm and bass guitars.  Banjo backup came froth from the nimble fingers of David Main while the beloved Sherm Taylor carried the lead on his mandolin.  Unaffected and non-pretentious, these four can easily hold their own in any group of musicians.

Taylor has delighted audiences for years with his easy style and mastery of the mandolin.  He paid three dollars for one back in the '30s.  A long-time farmer in the Meeker area, he will soon move to Clifton where he has purchased a home.

The Searcys also have lived in Meeker for years.  They were in the hunting and farming business and now operate a paint contracting firm.

Main, who also plays professionally with the Burro Mountain Boys, works at the Colorado Coal Co.

The group gets together on Tuesdays evenings just to "play up a storm."  Members have no plans to hit the big-time.  They're just four musicians doing what they enjoy.  Their music comes from the heart as they share each other's enthusiasm and companionship.  They especially enjoy doing gospel music and have played for church events.  They also play for senior citizens in Meeker.

Some know the musicians as The Strawberry Ramblers, so named because Taylor lived in the area known as Strawberry Road.

No matter what the name, or where they play, I predict heaven will have a special concert hall reserved for these folk, probably just a few doors down from the harp section.

From the Uintah County Library Basic photo series, online collection
Rex Taylor on guitar, Sherm Taylor on fiddle

Photos from the personal albums of Gene/Della Nyberg
LEFT PHOTO NOTES: "Sherman, Nov 8, 1986 at his home in Clifton, Colo.  With mandolin he got from George many years before"
RIGHT PHOTO NOTES: "Sherman and Della.  Toni and Joe took me to see Sherm.  I came to Grand Junction with Julie the day before.  Clifton is just a little ways from Grand Junction"

Life History on Roy Taylor

Roy Taylor was Vera's father.

The following is a transcribed history of his life, as written by Roy's sister, Mrs. Wayne Nielson, and later rewritten by Roy's granddaughter, June.  The scanned copy I'm transcribing from is the image directly below.  Some punctuation and spelling changes have been made by me in the transcription.  Photos/documents have been inserted by me.

From the personal albums of Doris Sessions

Life History of Roy Taylor

Roy Taylor, son of Martin VanBuren Taylor and Joannah Smith Jennings was born on the 18th day of February, 1872 at Levan, Utah.  Joannah "Smith" Jennings was named Smith because she was born in 1844, the year that the Prophet Joseph Smith was martyred.  Martin Van Buren Taylor was a polygamist and had four wives and when Roy was 12 years old his father moved his four families to Freedom, in Sanpete, Utah.

When he was 17 years old he left Freedom and went back to Levan where he worked for relatives or anyone he could get a chance to work for.  In 1894 he moved with his mother to Juab where he worked for the Union Pacific Railroad in the round house.  Later he was a fireman on the train running to and from Milford.  He worked at Delamar, Nevada and worked in the mills, and dust from the mills caused him to have a lung weakness, from which he suffered in later life.  He later went to Levan to live, He farmed in Levan during the summer and went to work in Eureka in the winter.  He married Roxa Althea Anderson at Juab, Dec 26, 1894.  Elmer Taylor performed the marriage ceremony.  They were later endowed and had their family sealed to them at the Manti Temple on April 14, 1909 after the birth of their 8th child.  At this time they were living at Chester, Utah.  He was a member of the school board in Chester serving in this capacity from 1908 until 1914.

"Roy Taylor with machinery"
From the personal albums of Cheryl Murray

To this couple was born 12 children; Zelma Helen, Cora Louise, Earldean Taylor, Roy LeGrand, Wilmar Rex, Sherman A., Leslie Duke, Vera Johannah, Ralph, Adella Francis, Doris Althea, Martin Verdon.  All of these children grew to maturity except Earldean who died at the age of 15 in Chester of a dropsey heart condition.  Mart Verdon was the only child after the family had settled in Lapoint.  He died in action over seas, Nov 29, 1944 during a bomber flight mission over Japan, in World War II.

In November 1915, the family moved to the Uintah Basin.  The first winter they lived at Hayden, Utah in a two-room log house.  The next year they moved to Lapoint and cleared the land and build the old brick home which was later bought by Della Nyberg.

"Our dad, Roy Taylor getting ready for the day's work.
With team, Daisy and May.
Ploughing was done with a hand plough, walking all day"
Photo & caption from the personal albums of Gene Nyberg

When the Lapoint Ward was organized, he was sustained on September 10, 1916 as counselor to Bishop.  He was ordained a High Priest by Don B. Colton, August 28, 1916.  On Dec 31, 1916 he was sustained as Bishop of the Lapoint Ward.  He served in this capacity for 8 years and 3 months.  The Lapoint Hall was build during 1920 while he was bishop.  This hall served as a place for the church gatherings and recreation such as dances, etc.  This building was later condemned and some of the material salvaged to build the present ward chapel.  He was set apart as Bishop by George Albert Smith who later became the President of the Church.

Certificate from the personal albums of Cheryl Murray

He served as a county commissioner for 6 years and in a new county there were many roads and bridges to be built and many hardships were encountered.  He was also elected as a school board member in 1930 where he served for 8 or 9 years.  During this time the Alterra High School was built.

After being released from the Bishopric he later served as first counselor in the Sunday School where he served for 5 years and was then called as a counselor to the bishop.  After 6 months he was released on account of poor health.  Many of his children can remember the family going to church in a white top buggy, and it was usually an all day affair on account of the traveling distance of most of the members of the ward.  He blessed a number of his grandchildren and was active almost to the end of his life as he went Ward Teaching only a few days before his death.

"Doris, Ralph, Vera, Della, with Bishop Taylor and Roxa in back- off to church"
From the personal albums of Gene Nyberg

He died of a heart attack on December 26, 1941, which was his 47th wedding anniversary at Lapoint, Utah.  He was buried at the Lapoint cemetery on December 29, 1941.

He died as he lived, a good latter-Day saint and was a friend to all who came in contact with him.  Many people received hospitality at his home and he was a true friend to the Indians and many enjoyed the tasty meals prepared by his wife.

"Frank Ninance and Roy Taylor.
Our dad was a real friend to the Indians"
Photo & caption from the personal albums of Gene Nyberg

Roy was a man who never passed man, woman or child, black or white that he did not speak or wave his hand, or shake hands with those he met.  Many people came to him for advice and council, not only the white settlers but the Indians too.  He was so thoughtful and looked after the welfare of everyone.  He never said anything bad about anyone, it made me think of the saying, "your name is safe with me".

(Taken from 2 copies of life sketches written by Mrs. Wayne Nielson, sister to Mr. Taylor.  Rewritten by Vera June Huber Wooley.)

Photo from the personal albums of Cheryl Murray

More on Ralph Taylor

This history is about Ralph Taylor, one of Vera's brothers.  

It was found in the personal albums of Doris Sessions (and has been transcribed with indications of punctuation or spelling corrections.)  I do not know WHO wrote it or WHEN it was written, although clues throughout it suggest it was likely compiled by one of Vera's sisters who had interviewed or spoken with Ralph's widow, Ruth, before her move to Colorado in 2000.

All photos have been added by me and are from the personal albums of Althea Gray, unless otherwise stated.

Clippings and additional visuals have also been added by me, with added source material.

Ralph Taylor was born on January 13, 1910 in Chester, Sanpete, Utah.  He was the 9^th child in a family of 12 siblings.  He was a quiet and reserved individual.

Ralph (about 1940) went to Barber School in Colorado.  This is where he met his wife, Ruth Eva Nichols.  She had been married before and had a daughter about 5 years old named Pat.  Pat told her mother after they were married that Ralph had never been married before because he didn’t know how to talk to children.  Ralph and Ruth went to Barber School together, and after they were married, they went to live in Salt Lake City.

SOURCE: Vernal Express 1936, May 28, p.4

As Ruth tells it, Ralph was quite a cracker jack (whatever that means).  She says there was nothing she would have ever changed about Ralph, that he was a gorgeous man.  Ralph was always admired by his fellowmen.  Ruth tells it that she was bossy, and he always kind of liked that.  He would always ask her what she wanted to do about something, and they could decide together what to do.

Anything I wanted I got and anything I wanted him to do he did and he would like me to go fishing with him and things like that.  We would make a lunch and go up in the canyon, we would take Pat and we would go do different things.  Ralph loved to go fishing.  Ralph also had a beautiful voice and could really sing.

Ralph and Ruth worked up at Ft. Douglas cutting the hair for the enlistees.  Ruth ran the beauty shops, and Ralph ran the barber shops.  We were just like we were at home, we were right together all the time.  At night he would help me clean up my shop, and I would help him clean up his shop.

We had been married quite awhile before he went into the service.  In April 1944, my niece and I, her husband was in the service and mine was too, flew to California and spent the weekend with them.  Ralph took me over to the island, Catalina and showed me the things over there and we just had a wonderful time.

Ralph Taylor's military card
SOURCE: ancestry.com
(see source info on image for more details)

1940s postcard image borrowed from www.hometownarchive.com 

While Ralph was in the service, Ruth bought the house where she still now resides [as of this writing].  Ralph was released and came home and told Ruth that they couldn’t afford a house or a car until he got a job.  Ruth had bought the house and care and they were all paid for.  She also told him that she had a job all lined up for him.  He then went back to Fort Douglas where he had worked before he went into the service.

Thea Taylor, Ralph’s niece, had come to live in Salt Lake.  Thea in the meantime had met Jess [Gray] and she could not find a home to live, so I said where our house is big down here so just move down in with us.  As soon as Thea and Jess located a home in which they would live, they moved out.  Thea and Jess would come down to visit Ralph and Ruth every Sunday and have dinner with them.  Sometimes Jess (Thea’s husband) and Ralph would go out and [do] things in the yard but Thea and Ruth would always talk a lot.  Ruth and Thea became as “thick as thieves”.

Ralph and Ruth outside their home

Ralph, Ruth, Bob's wife, Bob (good friend?), Althea kneeling
Outside their Holladay home

Ralph and Ruth's yard- wow.

Next to our house, Ralph and Ruth had a little orchard planted.  Ralph wanted to take out some trees that were in the orchard.  So on July 8, 1950 they took to the orchard to do this project.  They always worked together and loved it.  They were out in the orchard and some of the neighborhood boys, 2 of them lived right next door, came and said they were thinking of going fishing.  It was the opening day of fishing and Ralph said he would love to go with them as he really enjoyed fishing.  He was undecided as he wanted to get the trees finished and everything.  Ruth told him that they could do that later, and to go ahead and go with the guys fishing.  They left the next morning and while he was gone one of Ruth’s nieces from Colorado came in and she was doing her hair.  Ruth had baked a cake and was hurrying around because he was due home at any time.  She was almost finished with her niece when she saw the car coming back up the street.  She said “Here comes my fisherman”, and set everything down and ran out to meet them.  Ruth could see Ralph lying in the back—seat.  She told the other guys that if he couldn’t stay awake until he got home, that they would have to find another fishing mate.  She was just joking, when Neal (one of the guys) came up to me and put his arms around me and said, “Ruth, a terrible thing has happened.”  Ruth asked him [what] was the matter and he said that Ralph was dead.  Ruth would not believe him.  She sent the guy for a doctor and told the other one to help her get him into bed.  She told them that he was alright and didn’t believe them.

The story went that Ralph was fishing and got his hook caught on the branch of a tree.  He climbed up the tree to get his hook out when he fell out of the tree.  He was alive on the way to Salt Lake, and they wanted to take him to the hospital.  He told [them] No, that he wanted to get home and he’d be okay.  On the edge of town they told him they wanted to stop and call Ruth.  He told them no, that Ruth would know just what to do when he got home.  Before they got him home, however, he died.  They figured that he had had a heart attack and died.  They Taylors were all known for their bad hearts.

Cropped from a larger photo from the personal albums of Gene Nyberg.

Roy history, written by sister-in-law

The following is an excerpt from the document, "History of Leroy and Vera J. Taylor Huber" found in the genealogy albums of Della/Gene Nyberg in May 2012 (author and date written is unmentioned, but I'm assuming Della wrote it.)

"... Roy was born April 1, 1897, at Midway, Utah, to Henry Albert and Margaretha Abegglen Huber.  He had three brothers, Elmer, Frank, and Dean.  His mother was born in Switzerland and immigrated to this country at the age of two.  His father was born in Midway, but both of his parents were also natives of Switzerland.

Roy’s grandfather Huber had come to Utah at the age of twelve and returned to Switzerland about 1860 to fulfill a mission.  In 1863 he returned to Salt Lake City with a group of saints who had been placed in his charge.  One of these, Mary Magdalena Munz, later became his wife.  He assisted in translating the “Book of Mormon” to the German language.  He also helped in building the Salt Lake Temple.  He homesteaded in the Western boundaries of the Heber Valley at Snake Creek, Wasatch County.  For three generations the “Ranch” at Snake Creek has been home for all of their descendants.  This property is now part of the Utah State Park.

It was in these mountain streams at Snake Creek that Roy learned to fish, a sport he has enjoyed and excelled in throughout his life.  After moving to the Basin, Whiterocks and Dry Fork Canyons have been his favorite fishing areas along with many lakes and streams in the mountains where he took his sheep herd to the summer range.  Through the years, members of the Huber families, friends and neighbors have enjoyed fishing and canoeing trips at these various locations.

Much of Roy’s early life was spent in working for other farmers and stockmen around Midway.  After he was older, he worked in the mines at Park City, Eureka, and other places.

Roy, Elmer, and Frank were all in the army during World War I.  Roy was stationed at Camp Kearney, California.  His artillery unit was scheduled to embark for overseas when the Armistice was signed; ending World War I.

His father suffered a stroke and died May 22, 1920.  Also in March 1922 his brother, Dean, died of pneumonia.

Roy came to Lapoint in January 1922 to visit his brother, Frank, who had taken over the ranch homesteaded by their uncle, Joseph Abegglen.  This visit actually proved a lengthy one, lasting fifty-eight years or more.

Roy and Vera were married October 22, 1924 at Vernal, Utah by Wallace Calder.  To them were born nine children; June, Rhea, Dean, Doris, Dale, Larry, Clayton, Martin, and JoAnn.  The last two children were born at the Roosevelt Hospital; the rest were born in Lapoint..."

Vera history written by sister

The following is an excerpt from the document, "History of Leroy and Vera J. Taylor Huber" found in the genealogy albums of Della/Gene Nyberg in May 2012 (author and date written is unmentioned, but I'm assuming Della wrote it.)

"...Vera was born February 3, 1908 to Roy and Roxa Althea Andersen Taylor at Chester, Utah.  She was the eighth of twelve children, six boys and six girls.  The brothers and sisters are Zelma, Cora, Earldean, Roy, Rex, Leslie, Sherman, Ralph, Della, Doris, and Martin.

When she was born one of the family had whooping cough and when she was about two weeks old she also took the disease.  Zelma related this story about her father.  Vera was very sick and the parents were afraid she would never survive the disease.  One night they were working with her and her mother went to the kitchen for medicine.  He father sat up in bed and prayed for her and from that time she began to get better.

When she was six years old she had the misfortune of being badly burned with hot scalding water.  She still has the scars from the burn on her neck and shoulder.

The eventful day of October 24, 1915, was when the family left Sanpete headed for the Uintah Basin.  They arrived at Hayden, Utah, November 5, where they stayed until the next spring.  They then moved to Lapoint where she has resided for the remainder of her life.

She attended school at Lapoint and later stayed with her sister, Cora, and attended high school at Kaysville.  The school at Lapoint was a one room building with a curtain pulled through the center for a partition.  It was very noisy and it was difficult trying to study.  The church meetings were also held in this same building for awhile.

There were five families around their neighborhood and each had large families.  The children rode horses to school and there was always a big group of kids night and morning.  They were always racing and learned to ride horses well.  It was cold in the winter, but they dressed warm and didn’t mind the cold weather.

On September 2, 1916, Vera was baptized in a pond on the old C.A. Thompson place by Mr. Thompson.  The following day she was confirmed by Jacob Lybberts.

The family lived close to Clear Creek and during the summer they went swimming nearly every day.  All the neighbor children would join in and all had a good time.  In the winter they went skating and sleigh riding..."

Letters regarding Martin Taylor

What you are about to see is a goldmine of discovery found within the genealogy books of Della Nyberg, who then passed the book onto her son, who then so graciously let me scan its contents.

What follows here is the correspondence between Martin Taylor's military superiors and Martin's family back home during WWII when he went missing over Japan.  To read the contents of each letter you'll have to click on the letter's image to read what is printed, or open each one up in a new page so see it in a larger font.

I've also included a few more personal letters between Martin and his family that give a real taste for what Martin was like and what was going through his head at the time.  Once again, I did not transcribe these to maintain a level of reverence for some of his parting words.  Click on the images to read them more clearly.

Letter from Martin to his mom, dated Sept 22, 1944

Transcribed letter from Martin to his family- straight from genealogy book page
date unknown, but it's indicated as the last letter he sent home.

Letter to Martin from sister, Della.  Dated Nov 24, 1944.
Martin's crew went missing Nov 29, 1944.
He never got this letter, and it was returned to it's sender.

Newspaper clipping regarding Martin Taylor missing in action.
No source listed, found in the genealogy books of Della Nyberg.
Assumed a local paper, perhaps Vernal Express in 1944 or 1945?

Newspaper clipping transcribed:

T/Sgt. Martin V. Taylor, 24, son of Mrs. Roy Taylor, Lapoint, Uintah county, is missing in action over Japanese territory since Nov. 29, a brother Ralph Taylor, Salt Lake City, was informed.

Sgt. Taylor is a native of Lapoint, and was born April 19, 1920.  He is a graduate of Alterra high school, and was study body president in his senior year.  He enlisted in the army in May 1941, and had been overseas since November, 1944.  He was a radio-gunner on a B-29.

Awaiting further word, besides his mother, is his wife, Mrs. Cleora Kay Taylor, Los Angeles; five sisters, Mrs. Clarence Jensen, Bremerton, Wash.; Mrs. Coy Hayward, Bountiful; Mrs. Roy Huber and Mrs. George Nyberg, Lapoint; Mrs. Keith Ross, Vernal, and five brothers, Rex Taylor, Lapoint; Leslie Taylor, Leeton; Sherman Taylor, Meeker, Colo.; Roy Taylor, Bridgeland, and Ralph Taylor, Salt Lake City.

Military letter sent to Cleora Kay Taylor (Martin's wife)
informing her that her husband is missing in action.
How this letter fell into the hands of Martin's sister I don't know.
Letter dated 1 Jan 1945.

Letter regarding a Lt. Hodson, likely someone on the same mission as Martin.
It gives further details of what the military knew of his crew's disappearance.
I'm assuming this was a copy sent to Martin's family.
Dated 24 Jan 1945.

This letter relates to the letter above.  It's from Lt. Hodson's father (Fremont B. Hodson)
addressed to Martin's mother.  With this letter he sent a copy of the information
he had received above from the military.
Dated 14 February 1945.

Letter from the Quartermaster General to Martin's mother
updating her on the sad business of still finding no trace of Martin's crew.
Dated 4 Dec 1947.

Another letter from the Quartermaster General to Martin's mother
informing her that no wreckage or remains were ever found of the bombing mission.
Dated 4 Apr 1949

A final letter from the Army to Martin's mother
finalizing his presumed death date as 29 Nov 1944.
Dated 28 Oct 1949

A letter from the Meditation Chapel in Memory Park, Salt Lake City, UT to Martin's mother
regarding a memorial with Martin's name included on it.
Dated Sept 12, 1949.

I feel it a blessing to have copies of these letters which tell a beautifully somber story about those who sacrificed so greatly, and those who mourned their loss and still anticipate their reunion.

Photo from personal albums of Della/Gene Nyberg and Cheryl Murray
Thank you, Sgt. Martin Taylor.

Vera's life, written by Doris

The following is a history of Vera's life, written by her daughter and transcribed from it's paper form by me.  (The original paper version was found in the genealogy book belonging to Rhea Merkley). Images have been inserted to illustrate the text, with original sources below them.  Punctuation and spelling have been adjusted as well.  

Vera Johanna Taylor

Vera Johanna Taylor was born on February 3^rd 1908 in Chester, Utah, the 8^th child of 12 children born to Roy and Roxa Taylor.

In the Fall of 1915 they moved to the Uintah Basin that had been opened up to the white people for home-steading.  At first they lived in Hayden, and moved to Lapoint in the Spring of 1916.  Grandpa Taylor bought 80 acres of farmland and 40 acres of pastureland.

Roy Taylor home in Lapoint
Photo from the personal album of Clayton Huber

There were lots of Indians in the area that passed their home everyday.  The children were afraid of them, and when anyone knocked on the door the kids would hide under the bed for fear it was Indians.

Local Indian sitting with Roy Taylor
(apparently Roy had a friendly reputation with the Indian population)
Photo from the personal album of Clayton Huber

Mom said Tom Hackford stopped by their house and asked if she was a Mormon.  And she said, “No, but I’m gonna be!”

They rode horseback to school.  Grandma Taylor said it got pretty hectic getting getting them off to school with everyone trying to find their bridles, saddle blankets, etc.

When she was in High School she lived in Bountiful, Utah with her sister Cora and her husband, Coy.  Cora was very good to her and sewed many clothes for her.

She said the first time she saw Roy, she and her girlfriend Renna Stoker had gone up to the store in Lapoint in a horse and buggy.  She waited in the buggy, and Roy was standing by the window inside the store.  Every time she looked at him he would wink at her.  She would turn her head away, but when she looked up he would wink at her again.  He said he made up his mind that day, she was the girl he was going to marry.

They were married on October 24^th 1924 in Vernal, Utah.  She was 16 years old, and he was 27.

Dad took a load of wheat to Vernal to the mill and had it made into flour, and sold it to Zack Kump, who ran the store in Lapoint for fifty dollars.  That is how much money they started married life with.

Their first home was a small log cabin with a dirt roof.  The ceiling was a heavy canvas, and when it rained it sagged and dripped water, so we had to put pans around to catch the water.

While living in this cabin June, Rhea, Dean and Doris were born.  They hired Abe Warburton to build them a new house made of sawed logs.  It had a kitchen, living room, dining room, and one bedroom.  Later they added upstairs bedrooms.  We got electricity about 1938 and in 1947 they added another bedroom, bathroom and laundry room.  That is when we finally got running water and indoor plumbing.  What a blessing that was.

"First House Built in Lapoint" with likely Vera's shadow casting onto 2 children.
Photo from the personal album of Clayton Huber

They only moved one time in their married life, from the log house to the new one.

They were blessed with nine children, five boys and four girls; June, Rhea, Dean, Doris, Dale, Larry, Clayton, Martin, and JoAnn.

Dale died of cancer when he was nine years old, during a terrible electrical storm.  They couldn’t get Bessie Swain, the mortician, on the phone, so they wrapped him in a sheet and Mom, Dad and George Bigelow took his frail little body to Vernal.  He died on the 18^th of August 1943, and we had to bury him on August 20^th, as his body was in such poor (condition) and since it was so hot.

Dale Huber
Photo from the personal album of Rhea Merkley

Larry had only been married 8 months to Theda Houston, when he was injured in an automobile accident December 14, 1964 on his way to work.  It was a very foggy morning and poor visibility, when a horse crossed the highway and he hit it.  His spinal chord was severed, leaving him paralyzed from the neck down.  He was rushed to the L.D.S. Hospital in Salt Lake, where he died on January 30, 1965.

Larry Huber
Photo from the personal album of Clayton Huber

Mom was very good natured, always singing, humming or whistling as she worked.  She had a lot of natural musical ability, and play the piano by ear, the guitar, and had a beautiful alto singing voice.  She loved to sing and dance.

She was a very compassionate person, always taking meals to people when they had sickness, or a death in the family.  She served as president of the Primary, MIA, and was Relief Society president for 8 years, and also served on an Indian Mission for 4 years.

Vera Huber being silly with a family member or neighbor.
Photo from the personal album of Clayton Huber.

Both Mom and Dad were very industrious people, and very hard workers.  Dad was an exceptionally good farmer and livestock man.  He ran large herds of sheep in the mountains, and was gone from home a lot.  This placed a great responsibility on Mom, taking care of all the chores, and keeping the farm running.  As a result, all of us kids had to learn to work hard at a very early age to help her.  They always raised a big garden, strawberry and raspberry patch, apricot and apple trees.  We sold raspberry for 2.50 a crate, they had to be picked every other day.  Oh, how I hated that job.  It was so hot and tedious.  They were very generous with the produce from the garden, sharing it with anyone that came along or that wanted or needed it.  No one ever left their home empty handed.

Roy tilling field
Photo from the personal album of Rhea Merkley

Chet Dalgleish (left) and Roy Huber (right)
Photo from the personal album of Clayton Huber 

They raised all of their own meat, eggs, milk, butter, fruit and vegetables.  The root cellar was filled with potatoes, carrots, cabbage, squash, onions, apples, and sauerkraut that she put in 5 gallon crocks.

The other cellar was filled with all kinds of bottled vegetables, fruit, jam, jelly, pickles, and grape juice.

Dad always took a grist of flour to the mill in Roosevelt and got our flour, germade cereal, pancake mix, to do us for a year.

Baby Clayton sitting on top of the root cellar
Photo from the personal album of Clayton Huber

We had an ice house that we stored big squares of ice in, and it lasted until almost August.  We raised practically everything we ate.

Dad was a great fisherman.  When he went fishing he had no intention of stopping with his limit.  That was the only law that I ever knew of him to break.  The fish never went to waste as he shared them with everyone in Lapoint that he knew liked good fresh trout.  And they were so good!!!!

Dad and mom always took us fishing up Whiterocks Canyon on the 4^th and 24^th of July.  This was to only time we ever had pop.  They would buy a case with 24 bottles, that was really a treat for us kids!

Dad’s brothers Elmer (Dutch) and Frank and their families lived on farms within a mile of each other.  They each had 5 children, and we played games together on summer nights such as “Hide and Go Seek”, “Kick the Can”, and “Run Sheep Run”.  In the winter we played cards, and a game of “Fox and Geese” which we played in the snow, went sleigh riding, ice skating.  We had such fun times together.

Many of the Huber cousins together as kids.
Photo from the personal album of Clayton Huber.

Uncle Dutch was severely crippled with arthritis and was bedridden and on crutches, so Dad always helped his boys get their crops in, and they all worked together during haying season and at harvest time.

Written below: "Hay Crew during War years"
Uncle Frank far left standing, Roy directly below him sitting.  Remaining boys are all Huber cousins.
Photo from the personal album of Rhea Merkley

Mom was an exceptionally good cook, and cooked big meals for thrashers, haymen, corn men, sheep shearers, besides all the meals she cooked for her large family.  No one ever left her home hungry.  That was the first thing she asked when anyone came to her home was, “Are you hungry?”

Vera with her famous rolls
Photo from the personal album of Chris Merkley

She had a way of teaching us kids to work and making us think it was fun.  I still love to work.  It was hard to see them grow older and not be able to do the things they had always done.

Older Vera and Roy
Photo from the personal album of Clayton Huber

In August of 1988 Dad caught a cold that seemed to linger longer than usual, so Martin took him to the doctor in Vernal and he admitted him to the hospital on August 28^th.  He steadily went downhill from there.  He said he wanted to go home to die, so I took him home on Sept 1^st.  He got so he couldn’t eat and soon dehydrated.  We took turns staying with him so mom wouldn’t be alone, as she wasn’t able to take care of him alone.  There was someone there 24 hours a day.

Doug and Rhea were serving a mission in Fair Oaks, CA and were given permission to come home and see Dad.  They arrived about 9:30 a.m. on September 21^st.  Rhea went in by the bed, and said, “Dad, it’s Rhea, I’m home”.  He opened his eyes, smiled, and nodded his head like he understood, and went into a deep sleep and peacefully passed away at 1:40 p.m. that same day.  He was 91 years old.

Mom developed sugar diabetes in her later years.  She scratched her leg somehow, and it got infection in it, developing into a massive sore that the doctors couldn’t heal.

We took her to the doctor in Vernal on February 28^th 1990.  She was in and out of the hospital and the care center from then until May.  This was very hard on her as she was so confused, not knowing where she was most of the time.  We took her home, and everyone took turns staying with her, and helping take care of her.

Clayton had a friend in Provo that was a specialist in the Burn Center at Utah Valley Hospital, and asked Clayton to bring her out there and see if he could heal her leg.  We took her out there and he tried very hard, but there had been so much damage done to the blood vessels that he couldn’t do much for her.  He told us they would have to amputate the leg up to her knee.  She begged us not to let them take her leg off.  All of the family held a special fast, and went to the temple together.  This was a very spiritual day.

The doctor had scheduled the surgery for May 8^th for the amputation.  But on May 5^th a wise and gracious Heavenly Father called her home and she didn’t have to suffer anymore. We were all grateful that she didn’t have to endure any more suffering.

Dad and Mom had been married for 64 years, and only moved one time.

Roy & Vera & Larene Jensen (wife of a nephew) sitting on porch
Photo from the personal album of Clayton Huber

I have always been grateful to our wonderful parents for the great example they were to us kids, for all of the sacrifices they made for us, for teaching us honesty, integrity, and good work ethics.

They also taught us to love our Heavenly Father.  Dad didn’t get active in the Church until Dale died.  After that we went to the temple and were sealed together as a family in the Salt Lake Temple on November 12, 1943.

We had a happy, secure childhood with many loving memories of both of our parents.

This brief history was written by a daughter, Doris Huber Sessions at the request of our cousin Daun Taylor DeJournette.