Sarah Ellen Wanlass

Biography of Sarah Ellen Wanless by Luella Evans Rasmussen William Wanless was born in Holtwistle, England. About 18 he hear the Mormon Elders. He believed their message and joined the church. He emigrated to Richmond, Missouri. Here he met and married Mary Odell. He was 36 and she 19 years old. They were the parents of nine children, four girls and five boys. Mary Odell was born November 9th about 1840. They emigrated to Utah in Bishop Hunter's company, taking three months to make the trip. They settled in Lehi, Utah, where brother Wanless was employed as tithing clerk for some time, after which he was employed as secretary of the Coop Store, which position he held until a short time before his death, which was March 20, 1891. Mary Odell Wanless was not a member of the Church when she left her home in Missouri. And for the first two days of their journey her two brothers followed them trying to persuade her to return to her home and not go West with the Mormons. After they settled in Utah she accepted the principles of the Gospel, joined the Church, and was baptized in the old mill pond at Lehi. She was the only one of her family to join the Church, as far as we know. When they first arrived at Lehi they lived in a "Dugout", until they could build a house. The fourth day after their arrival she gave birth to her second child, a little girl. At the age of 51 she passed away, a month after her husband. Sarah Ellen Wanless, the eldest child of this family, was born February 26th, 1860, near Camdon River, Missouri. She emigrated with her parents as a baby of twenty months. She was a favorite among the company, and when the meal was spread on the ground, (as that was what they had to use as a table) in her eagerness to get the sugar bowl, she would walk over the dishes across the table. So everyone had to watch her. As she grew to school age she attended the public school, also Sunday School and Church meetings. At eight years she was baptized by brother Yates in the "old mill pond." At a young age she was chosen as Sunday School teacher. She taught the small children. Sunday Schools weren't graded as they are today. At the age of fourteen she received her endowments in the old "endowment house", and did baptisms for her kindred dead. When sixteen she was sustained as counselor in the Young Ladies Retrenchment Association, as that is what the Young Woman's Improvement Association was called at that time. As she grew she developed a wonderful character and disposition and was greatly loved by all. She grew into a beautiful young woman. She inherited some of the wonderful characteristics of her parents. She had lily white skin, rosy cheeks, and from that she was given the nickname of "Pink", which name she is known among her early friends and relatives to this day. She always did her share of the house hold tasks. She had the natural gift of dressmaking and did the sewing for her sisters and many friends. They had a large orchard which produced a lot of fruit. and markets weren't as they are today, so the fruit must be cared for at home. The art of preserving and canning and the required amount of calories were not understood then. Sugar and bottles were very scarce, molasses being used extensively. This was made from sugar cane which was grown by the farmers. The fruit must be picked and dried. Peaches, apricots, and plums were cut and stones taken out. Apples and pears were peeled and cored, and they were all laid out in the sun to dry. Sometimes peaches were peeled, as peeled fruit brought a higher price. If, at any time before the fruit was dry, there came a storm, it must all be gathered in, and after the storm it must all be spread out again to finish drying. Cutting fruit required days and days of hard work. There was no machinery; it must all be done by hand. After it was dried, what the family didn't need for their use, the rest was sold to men and taken up to mining camps some distance away. The[y] also grew berries, and Sarah Ellen and her sister Lizzie were up early in the morning picking, sometimes picking as much as a bushed [bushel] basket of gooseberries. There wasn't much amusement for young people in those days as now. they had to make much of their own amusement. She attended dances that were held in the meetinghouse. The benches must first be removed. Some were placed around to sit on, the rest taken outside. After the dance, they must all be replaced ready for church. Later, a public hall was built, and amusements were held there. Sometimes she, with a group of friends, would go to the nearby towns to dance. At this time David Evans was Bishop of Lehi. He having seven wives had a large family of children - forty-two. Among these was one James who won the heart and hand of Sarah Ellen. When she was twenty-two they were married in the old endowment house April 20th 1882. They lived in Lehi sixteen years, where they helped in the early pioneering of that place. Here six of their eight children were born, James William, Mary Luella, Lila Clymenia, Sarah Myrtle, Edwin Francis, Fern Merett. Her husband was called on a mission to England, They were poor, only having $19.00. She was full of faith, knowing that the Lord would provide. She did not murmur; she was anxious for him to go and fulfill every requirement made of him. She had many friends in times of need. In ten weeks after his departure she gave birth to her fourth child. When she was five months, two of the children were stricken with that dreaded disease diptheria. William recovered, but Lila peacefully passed away. There was no services held. The funeral procession consisted of one wagon which carried the little remains to its last resting place. While her husband was in the mission field she was called to part with her father and mother and little girl. She helped care for her parents during their last illness. After his return home he built a new house, where they lived for six years. He farmed and did some carpentering. This family with a group of others decided to go to Canada to make a new home. So in March, 1898, James Evans and his son William with their team and wagon with other men left Lehi. It took six weeks to make the trip to Cardston. In May the families followed, traveling by train. They settled in Cardston. They lived there 19 months. All farming land had been taken that was close in. So they decided to go to Magrath, where they could get land closer to town. So they lived in town. And their farm was out. Here they endured the hardships of pioneer life again. They lived here 12 years. During that time two more little boys were born - David Robert and Ernest. Sarah Ellen was chosen counselor in the Primary Association, which position she held for 11 years. Then the President moved away and she was chosen for President. She was greatly loved by her counselors and the children. This came from her loving disposition and willingness to serve. About a year later her husband was advised to move to a warmer climate on account of his health. So the family prepared to move again. They sold their property and moved to Burley, Idaho. They went into the hotel business. She managed it, her husband doing carpenter work. She was again called to serve in the church, this time President of Relief Society, where she won the love and respect of all who knew her. They lived here about three years. This was also new country. They didn't like it, so they sold out their business and returned to Utah, settling in Bountiful. About a year and a half after coming here, they were called to part with Myrtle, a young married woman of thirty years, who passed away. This was a great sorrow to her. She continued her work in Relief Society as district teacher, which she faithfully did as long as she was able to walk the distance. Her husband's work took him away from home a great deal, many times out of the state. The last three years of his life his health failed, and he suffered a great deal. She did all that a loving wife could for his relief and comfort. He peacefully passed away April 15th, 1940. With this sorrow, she is still filled with the spirit of the Gospel and has a burning testimony of its truthfulness. She had endeared herself in the hearts of all who know her and has a multitude of friends. She passed away October 6th, 1946.