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Allred Family Organization
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Family Histories and Stories
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Submitted by: Holli Bierer 02/23/2000

Spring City
Founded 1872 Population 900
History prepared by D.U.P

Spring City had a rather unique beginning. Early in 1852, President Brigham Young asked James Allred to take his sons and their wives and families and move south into Central Utah and begin a settlement.

The boys were James T.S. Allred, Wm. Hackley Allred, Andrew Jackson Allred, Reuben W. Allred, Isaac Allred and Franklyn Lafayette Allred.

These people journeyed as directed by President Young. After doing some exploring they decided to settle along a creek flowing form the mountains to the east of them. They called the creek Canal Creek, and the beautiful mountains to the southeast of them. “The Horseshoe.” This was March 22, 1852.

It was only natural that other home seekers, journeying through the valley, should call the town. “The Allred Settlement.” This name stuck for a time until forty families of “Converts” from Denmark were ordered by President Young to joint the Allred Settlement. The name changed. People began calling the place “Little Denmark”.

This name didn’t seem appropriate, so a switch was made. That seemed easy and natural. A large spring was located along the line of travel. Indians and explorers made this a camping center. The town with the fine spring became “Spring Town.”

The coming of more settlers was viewed with alarm by the first group because of a scanty supply of water, President Young had said, “Go ahead the waters will increase.” President Young, as usual, was right.

The story of the “Allred Settlement” was linked closely with the early story of Manti and Fort Ephraim. The Indians under Walker were responsible. The settlers had no sooner begun to break up land and to divert the water from the two canyons, for irrigation purposes, than the Indians, jealous of their rights, began to drive away their cattle and to burn buildings and threaten the lives of the settlers.

It was deemed advisable, for safely reasons, to move to Manti. This move was begun July 31, 1853 and completed December 19, 1853. A few men stayed until the later date to try to save some of their crops.

Early in 1854, James Allred and fifty families left Manti and move back north about seven miles and settled on a creek they called “Cottonwood.” Here James Allred presided. They began building a fort in February, 1854. The name Cottonwood was dropped and Fort Ephraim came into being.

These people remained at Fort Ephraim until the spring of 1859 when they moved back to Spring Town.

The man who had been entrusted with the responsibility of making a “go” of Spring City, James Allred, was in every way suited for the work given him. He had served as a body guard of the Prophet Joseph Smith. His one son, James T.S. Allred had served as a member of Mormon Battalion. This son, called by the Indians, “Showritz,” and another brother, Andrew Jackson Allred, called, “Shungitz.” served as Indian interpreters.

The Indians were friendly to “Showritz” and “Shungitz,” even to the point of making a nuisance of themselves. They made the homes of these boys their headquarters.

All early pioneer settlements had their share of Indian troubles.

William Blain frequently displayed a hole through his ear. It was not made for an earring, either. It happened in this way. He was on the road to the hay fields for a load of hay. While crossing the stone quarries, west of town, he was surrounded by a band of yelling savages.

William had a “cap-and-ball” pistol but no ammunition. It was lucky for him that the Redskins didn’t know this. As it was, they circled about him, shooting all the time. One ball found its mark. Hence the hole. The Indians finally fled. They didn’t leave, however, without doing some more mischief. As they journeyed through the “Cedar grove” they found and drove off some animals belonging to townspeople. They headed for the old Indian Trail.

This “Trail” follows the west ridge of Bill Allred’s Canyon. It leads over into Castle Valley, following the easiest route south of the Horseshoe Mountains.

Andrew Johnson and son were hauling lumber from the mill located at the mouth of Oak Creek Canyon. The morning of April 13, 1867, saw them on the road with a good load. They were headed for their home at Nephi.

Several of the mill hands cautioned Johnson about going alone. He thought he would be alright. Other teams would soon be coming after lumber.

They had not gone far perhaps a half mile, when some Indians who had been watching their movements from a vantage point in the Black Hills, rode up and began shooting. Mr. Johnson tried to escape by driving his team on a run. The Indians caught up with him. Mr. Johnson fell from the load, mortally wounded.

The Boy had been shot. His hip bone was shattered.

The team ran on, leaving Mr. Johnson to the mercy of the Indians. They shot him several times. Not being satisfied with this they dragged his body to a nearby ant hill. He was soon discovered by men who were coming to work.

The boy had hidden among some scrub oak that lined the roadway.

After killing Mr. Johnson, the Indians fled back into the hills. The boy, seeing them go, attempted to crawl to town.

On the same day, April 13, 1867, the Indians killed James Meeks. Mr. Meeks was the father of Ellen Major.

During this year, and the years immediately following, the Indians continued driving away cattle and horses. They usually followed the old Indian Trail. More than two hundred head of stock and thirty horses were stolen.

The “Town Herd” suffered most. The people put their cows together and had young men herd them in the “Grove.” These cattle served a tempting bait for the Indians.

Whenever there was danger of an Indian attack, the people were warned by the beating of a drum. This drum was beaten by a young fellow who was stationed on top of the old meeting house. Everybody came at the call of the drum to assist and for safely.

The homes of the pioneers were built of logs. They were usually one-room affairs. The earthen floors and dirt roofs disappeared with the coming of the saw-mill.

The show place of the town was a house, sixteen feet square, built of logs that had been sawed at Manti.

The construction work took most of one day. Several people who were handy with axes and saws took part in joining the logs and shaping the roof.

New houses such as this one were the scenes of merrymaking. Dancing, of course, meant the plain quadrille.

These houses gave way to modern ones. The old pioneers made these changes possible because of their thrift and industry. A House of Worship was begun almost as soon as shelter for families had been obtained. While this meeting house was being constructed, meetings were held in James Allred’s home.

The first little chapel was built of logs by the Mormon pioneers on the Eliason King lot. This old house served as a school house and as a dance hall. As the town grew, it outgrew this building and another one, much larger, was built on the same lot as our present chapel. It was a adobe building. Henning Olsen was the head mason. Our present chapel is a beautiful one. It is built of Sanpete Oolite stone.

The dedication took place March 15, 1914. President Anthon H. Lund of the First Presidency offered the dedicatory prayer. More than eight hundred people attended this meeting. The main chapel is eighty by forty feet. The annex is twenty-five feet by sixty feet. The tower is seventy-five feet high. The cost of the building was forty thousand dollars. J.R. Watkins was the architect. Most of the stone in the building was shaped and put in place by Jens J. Sorensen, Lars Larsen, John F. Bohlein and John P. Carlson. These builders left a monument of which they can well by proud. The beautifying of the grounds had received considerable attention.

SCHOOLS

Mention has been made of the buildings that served as school houses during early days. The seats were made of hewn logs and were without backs. Books were very scarce. Quite often classes were conducted with a few as two texts for the group. Tuition was paid by those attending. It wasn’t much, but money was scarce. Sometimes teachers were paid in produce. Sometimes not at all. Families with several children frequently had to let them attend school in turn. The discipline was usually severe. The three “R’s” received the lion’s share of attention with Spelling Bees taking the place of “watermelon busts” and other frolics.

The first teacher was Mary H. Allred. Some other early teachers were S.R. Aiken. Stephen H. Allred, William Davis, Elizabeth Fretwell Hess, Philanda Kofford and Mary Ann Frantzen.

Our present school buildings are modern and well-cared for. The grounds are beautiful. We boast of one of fine finest playgrounds in the district.

School lunches are among the modern innovations.

BUSINESS

Like other pioneer groups, business was carried on largely by barter. A load of hay paying for some shoes. A bushel of wheat was traded for some chickens, etc. This sort of “trading” was replaced by stores, carrying stored goods.

John Neil was the town’s first merchant. His store stood on the corner now owned by Elizabeth Larsen.

John Frantzen had a small store. His store was in one of the rooms of his house.
Goods were brought from Salt Lake City by team.

The old “Co-op” store was incorporated with a capital stock of five thousand dollars, divided into shares of five dollars each. Later the capital stock was increased to ten thousand with shares at ten dollars. A fine rock building was erected. The Co-op was a financial success from the first. At times its annual business reached fifty thousand dollars or more.

Some of the managers were James A. Allred, Robert Blain, John R. Baxter, Joseph T. Ellis and James C. Christensen. The Co-op passed into the hands of J. M. Johnson and later was purchased by Simon T. Beck.

The building and its contents were destroyed by fire in 1934.

A store known as the “Young Men’s Co-op” flourished for many years under the management of L.O. Larsen, Joseph A. Justesen and J.M. Johnson. The building was on the ground now occupied by Strate’s Garage.

The Larsen and Anderson store used the building now housing the Post Office. L.O. Larsen was
manager.

Baxter and Blain did a general merchandise business in the building now occupied by Claren Schofield.

Today we have the following stores: Osborne Mercantile Co., Dahl Market, Anderson Market and Schofield Mercantile.

All of our early-day merchants had their goods brought by team from Salt Lake City until the coming of the railroad.

Sometimes these teams and wagons were loaded for the down trip with flour or wheat. These products found a ready market at Salt Lake City. The trip usually took five or six days.

Axel Tulgren was one of the old freighters. His mule team had gone over the road so many times that it is said that he frequently went on ahead of them for a few miles and fished in some of the mountain streams until they caught up with him.

Some freighters hauled loads of flour to the mining towns of Nevada, Pioche, Frisco and Silver Reef. Some of these freighters were Axel Tulgren, James Blain and Ed Allred.

Lumber was hauled to Nephi, mainly by ox team.

When the railroad reached Nephi, most of the freighting from Salt Lake stopped. The railroad terminal was for some time at York. Here freighters from the surrounding valleys met and exchanged greetings and yarns.

In 1890 the Denver and Rio Grande railroad extended its line from Thistle, southward through Sanpete Valley. The coming of the railroad marked the beginning of a new era.

No longer was it necessary to make the long trip by team to attend the April and October Conferences of the Latter Day Saints Church. Before its coming the trip required at least one week. These trips were not without some compensation. It was almost a picnic.

Marriages too, in the old “Endowment” house became easier, now that the bride and groom could travel by rail.

The first track was a narrow gauge. The train schedule was rather elastic due to mishaps along the way.
Changes were bound to come, the railroad had come to stay. The Railroad brought new markets. Lumber, mining props, railroad ties, and the product of the farms found new and better markets. Communities began to grow. This growth required better roads. The old earth pavement began to appear. Sidewalks in the main section of town were made more passable by the laying of concrete.

Samuel Willis Allred and Olsen and Amundsen were the first of our sidewalk contractors. The first sidewalk paving was done in 1913.

The strip of pavement along highway 89 through Spring City was finished during the summer 1917.

The old tallow candle gave way to its brighter sister, the coal-oil lamp. This lamp in turn was shelved when electric lights could be had.

During the summer of 1901 a company was organized to be known as the Spring City Light and Power Co. Its purposed was to install and equip an electric light and power plant. Jacob Johnson, Simon T. Beck, J.M. Johnson and Emil Erickson and all the shareholders in the Spring City Roller Mill were listed as owners of this new company. Stanley Crawford of Manti was the engineer in charge.

The work of installing the plant was completed and the lights turned on in 1902. The dynamo was housed in a room at the old Flour Mill building.

In July 1916, the municipality took over the control of the light plant, having purchased the holdings of the old company.

The plant had been moved to the mouth of Oak Creek Canyon.

The city installed new machinery and the plant is modern. Today we not only have the water-driven Pelton wheel, but we have a new Diesel Plant ready to take up any slack or to do duty in case of a breakdown.

The furnishing of a pure supply of water, to be piped to the homes of the people, occupied the attention of the city officials for a long time. John P. Johnson, as mayor had the matter brought to a vote early in his administration, but the preposition was defeated. The credit for making the waterworks dream come true is due to Mayor Wm. Lee Allred and his council. Piped water was a reality. The work was completed in 1934. The water comes from mountain springs.

Our mountains are among the most beautiful in the State. When autumn comes, the coloring is gorgeous. The “Horseshoe,” or as geologists know it, the”Queen’s Chair”, commands the attention of every passerby. It is a symbol of good luck. Its highest point reaches beyond twelve thousand feet elevation.

The “Haystack,” so named from its shape, serves as a rallying point for deer hunters.

“Tent Mountain,” the highest of them all, stands guard over myriads of snow banks and small springs.

“Black Canyon,” so named because of its immense supply of white pine, and its north facing, gives one the impression of solitude.

Because deer are plentiful and the roads good, many hunters spend their deer hunting season here. Few go away without their buck.

Many thousands of feet of lumber have been cut from the pines that grow in abundance along the mountain valleys and slopes. Some of the earliest mills were low down in the valley or at the mouth of the canyons and the logs were carted to them.

SPRING CITY LUMBER INDUSTRY

The first saw mills, built for Spring City, were built in the later fifties or early sixties. Louis Barney built the first saw mill. It was located where our power plant dam now stands. Sawdust signs still remain.

Isaac Benjamin built the second saw mill, where our flour mill now stands.

James T.S. Allred and Reuben Allred built the third saw mill just south and east of Spring City. These mills were all known as circle mills. Called that because they were run in circular movement. They were all run by water.

Bernard Sow then built an up and down sawmill. It ran up and down instead of in circular motion. This mill was located at the mouth of Oak Creek canyon. Niels P. Nielson built one in Canal. A few years later Parley Draper of Moroni also built one in Canal. These mills of course changed owners as years passed.

Then the church built a mill called “The Temple Mill,” in the left hand fork of Canal. This mill was run with steam. It was erected to furnish building material for the Manti temple. “Temple Forks” received its name from the Temple Mill.

About 1909 John Larsen built a shingle mill in the mouth of Oak Creek. He ran the mill for six seasons. Oxen were used to haul the logs down to the mill. After the logs had been hauled to the mill, they were sawed into pieces, then placed in a sweat box and steamed until they were moist. They were then removed from the sweat box, squared, then chipped by a large broad blade into chips or shingles. After five hundred shingles had been cut they were baled. M. Larsen was able to cut about fifteen thousand shingles in one season. After running this mill for six years, a large flood came down and destroyed the entire mill.

In 1915 Mr. Larsen bought a shingle mill in Fairview. He moved it to Black Canyon in November, 1915. He ran it for two seasons. But could only cut about seven thousand shingles in a season. Edgar Allred and James Coverts’ homes were shingled with native shingles. In 1919 Joseph Downard bought the mill from Mr. Larsen. He ran it two seasons. It stood idle until 1924 when George Crisp leased it. In 1926 Mr. Crisp bought the mill and is still running it. Later R.J. Dye and a group built a sawmill along the highway south of Spring City.

CHOIR

John Schofield was leader of the first organized choir in Spring City. This was in 1862. His wife Josephine was organist.

William Hudson served as leader in the Sunday Schools during the time that John Schofield helped the Ward Choir.

Later leaders were: Wilhelm Fogelberg, Stephen Durant, Herbert White, Joseph G. Schofield, Lauritz O. Larsen, and Ernest B. Terry.

SCOUTING

John T. Blain was President of the Y.M.M.I.A. when scouting began in Spring City. D. Lamont Jensen was first scout master. This was 1914-15.

Later scout masters were: John R. Baxter Jr., F.C. Strate, Royal Allred, Morris Bunnel, Otto Sorensen, Lowell Hansen and Joseph F. Hansen.

THE OLD FOLKS COMMITTEE

The Spring City Old Folks Committee was organized in 1891. The first standing committee was headed by Bishop James A. Allred. The members were John Frantzen, Lauritz Larsen, Samuel Allred, Henry L. Acord, Lizzie B. Allred, and Nancy Acord. The wives of the above names committeemen also served on the committee. Committee changes have been made as new Bishoprics were chosen. The standing committees were subject to occasional changes

The Old Folks, all over 60, are the honored guests at the annual gathering. It’s the big feast of the year.

RELIEF SOCIETY

The first Relief Society was organized in 1867, with Mary A. Price Hyde, wife of Apostle Orson Hyde, as president, with Elizabeth Allred and Anna Larsen as counselors. Mary Ann Frantzen succeeded Mrs. Hyde as president in 1879. Mary Olsen and Ann Eliza Hyde were her assistants.

The succeeding president are: Mrs. Ellen Nillson Tullgren, 1901; Elizabeth D. Larsen, 1913; Anenia A. Mickel, 1923; Rose S. Petterson, 1928; June N. Clawson, 1936; and Bergeta Jensen, 1937; Grace A. Allred, 1946.

The organization has met all the requirements made of it.

MISSIONARIES

The first missionary for the Latter Day Saints Church from Spring City was Lauritz Larsen. He was sent to the Danish Mission in 1867.

Following him, John Frantzen and Christian C. Larsen were missionaries in Denmark in 1873. Niels Borreson served in Norway in 1876; Niels C. Jensen, Scandinavian mission, 1877; James Christensen, Denmark, 1877; Samuel G. Bunnel, Denmark, 1879; John R.Baxter, England, 1880; John Frantzen, Denmark, 1881; Andrew J. Erickson, Scandinavia 1883; Joseph S. Hyde, Hawaiian, 1884 and Sanford Allred, Hawaiian, 1884.

Niels Borrensen was one of the missionaries that helped to carry the Gospel to Apostle John H. Widtsoe’s people in far-off Norway. Apostle Widtsoe has honored Elder Borreson by placing his picture in his book, “The Gospel Net.”

Early-day missionaries received loyal support form the Saints at home. Donations to the cause ranged in amounts from ten dollars to twenty-five dollars. Where money could not be had, beef steers, ready porkers, or mutton were contributed to help the missionary on his way.

One of the great missionaries of the church in early days was Elder Orson Hyde. Orson Hyde was a member of the first Quorum of the Twelve in the Latter Day Saints Church. He was burn January 8, 1805, in the town of Oxford, New Haven, Conn. He was just a young boy when his parents died.
He was one of the early colonizers of Utah. He came as one of the first settlers to Sanpete, being charged with the responsibility of presiding over the Sanpete-Sevier district. The district extended as far south as Circleville, Piute County.

The early settlers of these areas has suffered much from Indian depredations. Homes had been burned, cattle stolen or killed by bands of roving Utes. It was part of his mission to make peace with these people. The mission began in 1856.

Elder Hyde, as he was affectionately called, settled first at Manti. This settlement was about the center of his Ministerial district. Later he moved to Spring City.

In 1872 he was appointed by the United States government, Indian Agent and Commissioner. His duties had to do with distributing sugar, flour, calico, tobacco and other articles to the Indians. A friendship grew up between him and the Indians. He assisted in making peace with Black Hawk and other Ute chiefs.

He was honored by being made the first president of the Sanpete Stake. He served in this capacity from 1860 to 1877.

He assisted as “committeeman,” in the erection of the Manti Temple.

In a civil capacity he represented Sanpete and other districts in the Territorial legislature.

He was called by the Presidency of the Church to dedicate the Land of Palestine. He dedicatory prayer contains some marvelous blessings and prophecies concerning the Holy Land and its’ people.

Spring City continued to be his home until his death which occurred November 28, 1878. A beautiful monument marks his final resting place in the spring City Cemetery. It was erected by the Church.

He had a large family. He was a gifted orator, an able writer and a fearless defender of the Gospel. His testimony of the Divine Mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith was borne to thousands of people.

As a citizen he was loved and respected by every one.

There were a number of early pioneers who are entitled to honorable mention. Among them are: William Puzey, a wheelwright. His shop stood about where the Shell Service Station stands. His skill helped to tide over many a broken-down vehicle. William Ford, Blacksmith, He lived about where John R. Baxter lives now. He worked with William Puzey. Together they made some wagons. Their chief work, however, was doing repair work. Their first complete wagon was sold to Abram Acord.

John Robinson Sr., was a gunsmith. When material could be had he made guns, but like the others, his work was chiefly a matter of repairing guns and pistols.

Joseph T. Ellis was a cabinet maker. He assisted in building the spiral staircase in the Manti Temple.

William Stoddart was a basketmaker. He and Caleb Stoddart had been weavers of cloth in old
England.

Isaac M. Allred was the “Orchestra.” His old violin had been played for the Prophet Joseph
Smith and he played and made music to delight the hearts of social groups.

Wiley Payne Allred, one of the sons of James Allred, who has already been mentioned, was a stone cutter and surgeon. He assisted in cutting the stone for the Nauvoo Temple.

James T.S. Allred made ropes, cinches, and whips.

Ellen K. Bunnel supplied the community with gloves. Each fall she would buy tanned deer skins from the Indians. This material was made into moccasins and gloves.

Joseph Black was the first shoemaker. His work too, was largely a matter of mending worn-out toes and souls (soles).

James Jensen Sr. was a tanner. His old tan yard was on the ground covered by Downard’s pond. He tanned all kinds of hides and pelts. Oak bark was used in the tanning vats.

These tradesmen were useful men. They had learned their trades in their home lands. Years of apprenticeship had made them skilled in their chosen profession. Our little community was fortunate in having them.

There were others whose paths led in various directions.

Jacob Johnson practiced law here for many years. He served as Probate Judge and Judge of the Seventh Judicial District. He was one of the best irrigating attorneys in the State. He served his State as Congressman for one term.

John Fank Allred, one of the outstanding teachers of those times, served his community well and good. He was elected to the State Senate.

Later we have such men as D. Andrews T. Rasmussen who is one of the most skilled men in his chosen profession in the United States. He is connected with the University of Minnesota.

Dr. Don R. Johnson, eye, ear, nose and throat specialist of Washington, D.C.

Emil K. Nielson, principal of one of Provo’s largest schools, is one of the Utah Counties State Senators.

Fred C. Strate is another Provo principal.

Numerous tradesmen and professional men and women are scattered throughout the country who received their early training in the Church and in the schools of Spring City.

John Davis, known as “Jimmie Riddle” has played quite a part in the musical past. He came as a little boy of ten, from Italy with a band of musicians who came directly to Salt Lake City. For many years he played in orchestras with his famous violin. He played for ward and private parties. Brigham Young was delighted to have “Jimmie” play for him in his home. John, or “Jimmie” as we know him, furnished music for dances for many years at Spring City.

FIRST AMUSEMENT HALL IN SPRING CITY

Like other pioneer communities, the first settlers of Spring City, or Spring Town as it was called, used their homes as dance halls and social centers. The old log house, often a one-room affair, was the scene of many a jolly party. Heat was furnished in the winter by a fireplace which took up all one end of the room.

As more settlers came, a meeting house was built, which as its name implies, served for religious and social gatherings alike. The first such “meeting” place stood on the old King lot, now Doyle Olsen’s. This building was begun about 1800. Two or more “social centers” or dance halls were erected in the southeast part of town.

Several Danish families were sent to Spring City by President Young. When they came they built a place of worship out of adobes. This old “Danish” meeting house served as a dance hall. The old house, sadly neglected, still stands as a reminder of bygone days.

The old “Hudson Hall,” the first building devoted wholly to entertainment, stood on the Joseph Justesen lot. It was built by William Hudson, Lars Nielsen and Abram Acord. It was built about 1870. Later Hudson purchased the shares owned by his partners and moved the building to the southeast corner of the lot now belonging to Morsden Allred.

Dramatics were staged in the upper story of this old playhouse. It is even hinted that roller skates first made their appearance on its old pine floor.

The old “Hall,” or Spring City Hall as it was called, was organized and built by the Spring City Brass Band. Its members were Emil Erickson, John Blain, Daniel Beckstrom, William Osborne, Simon T. Beck, Christian Anderson, Henry L. Acord, S. Peter Sorensen, Carl Hansen and others. This hall had a good stage and a hardwood floor. Many of our people had a chance to show their dramatic talent in thus building. Our first “movie” was in this hall. Stock companies, such as Stuttz and Houtz, produced plays in this hall. This place was torn down with the coming of the “Lyceum” theater, erected by John R. Baxter, Jr. Mr. Baxter gave us the best of entertainment during his management. The building now belongs to the ward and continues as the social gathering place of the community. It was purchased in 1930.

Some of the early players who took part in “Home Dramatics” are: John P. Johnson, Hannah H. Johnson, John S. Blain, Jane Schofield, Mary E. Acord, Lawrence Allred, Joseph G. Schofield, James W. Blain, Sarah Clawson Johnson, Maud H. Anderson, James P. Hansen, Henry Blain, Milton Allred, Dora Johnson Calhoun, and Lola Backman. There were a number, some earlier and some later, whose names are not listed.

Such plays as East Lynne, Rio Grande. The Country Kid, Under Two Flags and Comrades were presented.
The plays were usually played for the benefit of some organization or for some ward purpose. Funds were always needed and were always acceptable. The players reaped their pay in the feeling and knowledge that they had done a good job.

CLOTHING

The pioneers were clothed largely by cloth of their own making. When the old wagon covers and bed-ticks had served their original purposes they were made into articles of clothing. They too had their limits of endurance. The pioneers had to look elsewhere.

The few sheep they had were shorn by the women. The wool was washed, carded and spun. Most homes had an old spinning wheel. After the wool had been spun it had to be woven into cloth. The cloth was carefully measured and made into clothes. No cuffs nor frills.

Elsie Adler and Mary H. Allred were early weavers. For dyestuffs they gathered kinikinnick bark and rabbit brush to color yarns. The rabbit brush made a yellow tint. Black was from black wool. For gray, black and white was mixed.

When “Store” goods were to be had, princes were high. Calico, factory or sheeting cost one dollar per yard.

For lye, wood ashes were placed in a large barrel and water poured over it. It stood for some time and then the water was drained off. It made a lye that could be used for making soap and for other household uses. Brooms were made of rabbit brush.

One of the chief worries of our community has been to secure an adequate water supply for irrigation purposes.
When the first settlers came here the two streams, Oak Creek and Canal Creek, did not have water for more than thirty or forty families. We have been told that the creeks, even up in the canyons, were so small that it was easy to step across almost anywhere. The deep washes have been made by the floods of later years.

Grass and other vegetation held back the melting snows and sudden thunder storms. A channel was made, running from Canal Creek, to convey the water along the east part of town. The canal empties into Oak Creek below where the old flour mill stands. This creek or canal made it possible to irrigate part of what is called the Little Field.

Attempts have been made to straighten canals and ditches. New channels have been dug to save water from too much evaporation during the late summer months.

During the year a contract was entered into with the Bureau of Reclamation for the construction of a tunnel that would bring some of the waters that had been going down the eastern slope to the Colorado, into our valley. The project was carefully surveyed and a call was made by the Bureau for bids for constructing a tunnel and laterals. The bid of Dan Teeter’s Construction Co., a California concern, was lowest. His company completed the work in 1938.

The Irrigation Company has appropriations amounting to more than 100 cu. ft. per second. Filed and approved by the state engineer. The water is especially valuable during the later part of the irrigating season.

Moves are on foot now to build reservoirs to store some of the early run-off. When reservoirs to store some of the early run-off. When reservoirs are constructed, the added water will insure good water. Another use is made of this water. During the Fall and Winter our power plant makes use to the additional flow to run the power plant.

The L.D.S. Church has made an effort to care for its membership, however scattered, by having men who were charged with the responsibility of presiding over and directing to the religious activities of its members. Ruben W. Allred was the first “Presiding Elder.” He was followed in January, 1860, by C.G. Larsen as Bishop. Joseph T. Black was second counselor, Redick N. Allred was first counselor. George Brough was Clerk. C. G. Larsen resigned in 1868. Frederick Olsen was made Bishop, August 2, 1868. James A. Allred, first Counselor and Rasmus Justesen, Second Counselor.

James A. Allred followed Frederick Olsen as Bishop. He was ordained Sept. 2, 1882 by Apostle John Henry smith.

Lauritz O. Larsen was set apart as Bishop May 29, 1904, with John S. Blain, and Henry L. Acord as counselors.

Samuel Allred was our next Bishop. He was given this responsibility in 1913. John S. Blain and Henry L. Acord served as counselors. John Petersen also served with Bishop Allred as a counselor.

James F. Ellis was called to the Bishopric, October 7, 1928. Reid H. Allred and Vivian Larsen served as counselors.
Following Bishop Ellis, our present Bishop, E.B. Terry, with Floyd C. Draper and Royal Allred, were set to preside over the ward October 12, 1942.

During all these many years the various organizations have been kept intact and have done some remarkable work in helping to mold the lives of our people.

The “Canal Creek” Camp of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers are viewing with pride the work of their ancestors. They are happy that they have been able to play a small part in preparing and presenting this book. The organization’s Centennial Motto, “Our Heritage” seems very fitting.

“Lest We Forget,” we gratefully pay tribute to the memory of our early pioneers.

We are ever grateful to the ones whose names appear on page 56 who have helped to maintain the American way of life.

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DNA Project

North Carolina Allreds in the 1750's

Allred Time Line
1572-1762

North Carolina History Timeline

Our British Roots

Allreds in the American Revolution

Collateral Families

Tombstone Project

Ancestor Photos