Helen Venera McBride

Helen Venera McBride was born February 22, 1833 at Villanova, New York, the oldest child of Reuben and Mary Ann McBride. When she was a year old her parents moved to Kirtland, Ohio, where her father spent much of his time doing church work, as he had been called for a minute man. When Helen was seventeen her father went in company with President Young to Utah. Two years later he returned to Kirtland to bring his family to the Great Salt Lake Valley. When they arrived they lived in Farmington and Springvllle. Sometime later they moved to Fillmore as her father was called to settle there by Brigham Young. Helen married Samuel Brown July 6, 1854. To this union three children were born: Florence, Mellisa, and Samuel. She was very happy with her family, though they were quite poor and she was obliged to go without many necessities. In October, 1856, the sad news came to her that her husband and Josiah Call had been killed by Indians. They were returning from the north when they were attacked by Indians on Chicken Creek Hill. They were shot, scalped and hung by their feet in a cedar tree. After this the Indians cut their throats and tied a red handkerchief around Samuel's neck. When her husband was killed Helen did not have flour in her bin, wood to burn, or money to buy the things needed for her little family. During the lonely years that followed she spend most of her time at the ranch, later known as Almon Robison's ranch, milking cows and making butter and cheese to sell. Most of the time she walked to town carrying her produce so she could sell it. After she had lived as a widow for thirteen years, she was married to Harley I. Colgrove on December 12, 1860 in Salt Lake City by Joseph F. Smith. To this union three children were born: Lester, Minnie and Eugene. Harley Colgrove served in the Civil War in "Company A" in the 20th Illinois Infantry. After several years Helen was once again left a widow. She had to work very hard to raise her family. Her oldest daughter, Melissa, married Alma Greenwood and had four children. While the children were small, Melissa died, leaving Helen with another family to raise. She took the children and cared for them many years. Mr. Greenwood married again and cared for them part of the time. Helen's oldest son had heart trouble for many years. He was with Helen when he died at the age of twenty. It took her years to get over the shock. Through all her troubles, she was brave and cheerful and ready to carry on, and always true to her faith. During her later years Eugene lived with her and cared for her, trying to make her happy. But in March, 1912, when he was 38 years old he suddenly died. Of all her troubles, this seemed the worst. Her patient, peaceful, unassuming disposition made her a friend of all who new her. Almost everyone called her Aunt Helen. She died January 31, 1916 at her home in Fillmore.