William Heber Robb

William Heber Robb

William Heber Robb

Place of Birth: Paragoonah Iron Co, Utah
Date of Birth: June 5 1877
Entered into Rest: June 18, 1958
Age: 81 years 0 Months 13 Days
Place of Death: Billings Montana
                     ***
Final Resting Place: Cowley Cemetery
Cowley, Big Horn Co, Wyoming
Interred: June 21 1958
                     ***
Services: Cowley L.D.S. Chapel
June 21, 1958   1 P.M.
Officiating: Bishop Carlyle B. Eyre

The Funeral Service

Funeral Services for Wm Heber Robb were held Saturday June 21st at 1 P.M. in the Cowley Ward Chapel under the direction of Bishop Carlyle B. Eyre.

Prelude music was played by Mrs. Claude A. Lewis Jr. The invocation was offered by R.R. Lewis.

The choir sang “Through Deepening Trials”, directed by Mrs. C. Golden Welch and accompanied by Mrs. Claude A. Lewis Jr.

The speakers were H. D. Wilson and Robert L. Peterson.

H.D. Wilson spoke of the Destiny of men, the Predestination of man. The Pre-existant State, the Birth, the Death and the Resurrection.

Robert L. Peterson spoke of the deceased as being a man of honor, spoke of his honesty and integrity, industry and thrift.

The obituary was given by Mrs Maud Holyoak. A duet “Beyond the Sunset” was sung by Art and Ford Welch accompanied by Mrs C. Golden Welch.

The closing song by the choir, “Abide With Me.” The dedication was pronounced by Melburn Dalton.

Mrs Claude A Lewis Jr played postlude music.

Many of the congregation were heard to remark that it was a very lovely service.

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The Obituary for William Heber Robb

(Written and given by Maud Holyoake)

I have prayed most earnestly that my Father in Heaven will bless the words I speak on this sweet solemn occasion that they may be a fitting tribute to a Beloved Husband, father, grandfather and kindly friend. I know that above all else, Bro. Robb would have me speak honestly, sincerely and briefly, just as his life typified, honest, modest and unpretentious living.


On the evening of June 18th, the quiet shadows of night shut from our earthly view Bro. Wm Heber Robb. But even as we whisper a last farewell, we know that he goes on to face another sunrise, above the distance hills of Home.

The memories Bro. Robbs family cherish this day, stand as a monument to the character of this quiet man, so unassuming.

I have loved listening to the story of his life as told me by Sister Wardell. I love sharing that story with you this afternoon. My heart was touched by the industrious and faithfulness of the little boy who scrambled up the steep banks of the San Juan River in Southern Utah, carrying pails of water to water the vegetable garden his mother had so carefully and laboriously planted along its banks.

San Juan River at Bluff Utah

I sensed the pioneer virtues of courage, industry and vision that inspired a young man to leave his comfortable home and circumstances and join his labor and his destiny with other valiant pioneers in settling the Big Horn Basin.

Wm Heber Robb was born in Paragoonah, Utah June 5th 1877. The second son of Adam Franklin Robb and Sarah Holyoak Robb. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Days Saints.

When Bro. Robb was a young boy his father answered the call of Pres. Brigham Young to settle the picturesque Indian territory of the San Juan Valley.

Hole-in-the Rock Pass

His father, mother and elder brother were with the second company of Saints to pass through that treacherous Mtn pass known as “The Hole in the Rock” to settle in Bluff Utah. After a few years the family returned to Parowan, where they built a comfortable home, surrounding it with every beauty.

William Heber Robb

By this time Bro. Robb was a young man and one day he told his parents of his intention to come to the Big Horn in Wyo. Aunt Sarah told her family, “if Heber goes to Wyo. Then I shall go too” and his sister Alice said “if Heber goes I want to go too.”

So it was that the family came to Cowley and lived in a little one room home across the wash. But that first bleak winter, the children often saw their mother weep at the desolation all about her.

Sarah Permelia Holyoak Robb Wardell
Wm Heber's mother

But in the spring, the beloved home in Utah with its flowers and gardens and peach and raspberry orchards ceased to be a memory that saddened and instead became the dream and pattern that fashioned their new home in the new land.

Clara Minnie Simmons Robb

Minnie holding baby Walter, Clifton, Elton and Kenneth
 approx June 1918

On Sept 12th 1912, Wm Heber married Clara Minnie Simmons and on March 31st 1945 their lovely, sweet mother died, leaving to miss so greatly her loving care and devotion her husband and six sons.

Mary McDonald McNeish

On June 24th, 1946, Bro Robb married Mary McDonald McNeish. Sister Robb a convert to the Church has endeared herself to the family and has tenderly and lovingly cared for Bro Robb through the many illnesses he has suffered the past months.



Marriage License and Certificate of Heber Robb and Mary McNeish

It was Bro Robbs pleasure to provide well for the comfort of his loved ones. Great was his joy that he could on the land he loved work hand in hand with God in providing for himself and family and their daily bread. His farm complimented the love he had for the land for truly “most beautiful” Earth loved by a man who fabricates his love with industry, shielding the cherished acres in his span vigil of wilderness and native tree.



Aerial Photo taken 1963 of Robb Farm, Northwest of Cowley, Wyoming

He weaves bare timber to a rugged seam and wheel tracks ruin the boundary of his dreams.



Robb Bros. Brand

Through the years Bro Robb has had the satisfaction of having his boys work beside him on the farm. When their father was not well their labor has been willing and cheerfully given. Three of the boys are still at home, the other three return with frequent constancy with their families to visit their father and Sister Robb, and to eat some of her delicious home cooked meals and just for the fun and pleasure of being home.

The nicest thing that could be said of a man could be said of Bro Robb, he was kind and thoughtful of his mother, solicitous of her care. When he was a young man working away from home, his homecoming was always a special occasion to his family. He never failed to bring home some nice little treat, something that perhaps the father and mother had not been able to afford. He loved his grand children, his little grandson in Lovell, his name sake inquired each day of his parents “Is grandpa better today?”

I hope that you as I have looked beyond the seeming sternness of his face to see the twinkle of merriment in his eyes that reflects his delightful sense of humor and his love of life.

Men are of two kinds, and he was the kind I’d like to be. Some preached their virtues and a few express their lives by what they do. That sort was he - no flowery phrase nor gibly spoken words of praise, won friends for him. He wasn’t cheap or shallow, but his course ran deep. And it was pure - you know the kind, not many in this life you find whose deeds out run their words so far that more than what they seem - they are. There are two kinds of lives as well, the kind you live- the kind you tell. Back through his years from age to youth, he never acted one untruth and in the open light he fought and didn’t care what others thought, nor what they said about his fight. If he believed he was right. The only deeds he ever hid were acts of kindness which he did. What speech he had was plain and blunt. His was an unattractive front, yet children loved him. Babe and boy, played with the strength he could employ, without one fear, and they are -het to sense injustice and deceit.



Warranty Deed with Release of Homestead
"my beloved sons jointly"

Men are two kinds and he was the kind I’d like to be. No door at which he ever knocked against his manly form was locked. If ever man on earth was free and independent it was he. No broken pledge lost him respect. He met all men with head erect. And when he passed I think there went a soul to yonder firmament, so white so splendid so fine it came almost to God’s design.

Bro. Robb leaves the following family to mourn his passing, wife Mary, six sons. Clifton, Kenneth, Clair of Cowley, Walter of Lovell, Elton of Pleasant Grove Utah and Heber S. of Springville Utah, one sister Alice Wardell of Cowley, one brother Albertus Robb of Duchesne Utah, nine grandchildren, many friends and relatives.

The Six Robb Brothers
Front Row: Elton, Kenneth and Heber Robb
Back Row: Clair, Clifton and Walter Robb

In closing I would like to bear my testimony to the family of the truthfulness of the gospel. That God lives, that the greatest happiness in life comes from keeping the commandments of our Father in Heaven.

In the great plan of life and salvation over which like morning stars shouted for joy. Death was a necessary experience along the path to life Eternal.

William Heber Robb Monument
Cowley Cemetery Cowley, Big Horn Wyoming

Cowley Cemetery Cowley, Big Horn, Wyoming

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Source: “Dedicated Memories” Funeral Memorial provided by Haskell Funeral Home, Lovell Wyoming.

Albertus Robb



Albertus Robb Monument
Utahn Cemetery Duchesne County, Utah



Birth: Feb. 7, 1875

Death: Jul. 19, 1963

Burial:

Utahn Cemetery

Utahn, Duchesne County, Utah, USA

Find A Grave Memorial# 32072674



Albertus is the eldest son of Adam Franklin and Sarah Permelia Robb. Albertus ROBB was born 7 Feb 1876 in Parowan, Iron, Utah. He was sealed to his parents 3 May 1974 in the Salt Lake temple. Albertus was baptized 26 Feb 1974 in the Salt Lake temple. He was endowed 14 Mar 1974 in the Salt Lake temple.

Albertus was about 4 years old when he participated in the epic expedition of the Hole-in-the-Wall San Juan Mission with his parents, and younger brother William Heber (2).  Albertus married Addie H. ROBERTSON before 1902.  Albertus did not travel to Wyoming. He was living in Ely Nevada in 1909 as reported in the Deseret News Feb 15, 1909. Albertus is buried in Roosevelt, Duchesne, Utah.

The Salt Lake Herald June 29, 1897 page 8

The Provo Herald, February 20, 1909



Utahn Cemetery, Duchesne County, Utah

_____________________________

Source:

Images from Findagrave.com



Mary McDonald and John McNeish

Mary McDonald McNeish

Mary McDonald
Born: 14 March 1894  East Main Street, Armadale, West Lothian, Scotland
Died: 2 Nov 1961  Lovell, Big Horn, Wyoming
Buried: 4 Nov 1961  Cowley Cemetery, Cowley, Big Horn, Wyoming
Father:  John McDonald (1852-1930)
Mother: Mary Cameron (1854-1929)
2nd Spouse: William Heber Robb (1877-1958)
Married: 24 Jun 1946 - Billings, Yellowstone, Montana

John McNeish

John McNeish
Born: 20 January 1890 Conel Park, New Cummock, Ayrshire, Scotland
Died: 28 January 1942 Billings, Yellowstone, Montana
Cause of Death: Myrocardial Insufficiency
Buried: 30 January 1942   Bearcreek Cemetery, Bearcreek, Carbon, Montana
Father: John McNish (1863- Between 1933)
Mother: Jane Nesbit (1861-1940)
Biological Father: Unknown
Biological Mother: Mary McNish (1871-1924)
Marriage: 22 Dec 1911   , Guernsey, Ohio 
Possibly remarried 26 Oct 1932  Billings, Yellowstone, Montana
Immigration:  Scotland Between 1902 and 1903
Occupation:   Miner
Marriage Note: 
It appears that John McNeish and Mary McDonald were married in 1911 and then married again in 1932. Possibly divorced. and remarried? At this point we have not located divorce records.

Children:
Mary McNeish  AKA "Little Mary" McNeish
Born: 19 Aug 1912  Byesville, Guernsey, Ohio
Died: 15 October 1981  San Jose, Santa Clara, California
Buried: 21 Oct 1981 Hillside Cemetery, Greybull, Big Horn, Wyoming
Spouse: Thomas Arthur Rogers (1903-1979) 6 July 1933- Greybull, Big Horn, Wyoming

Daughter McNeish
Born: 4 January 1925  Washoe, Carbon, Montana
Died:  4 January 1925  Washoe, Carbon, Montana
Buried: 6 January 1925 Bearcreek Cemetery, Bearcreek, Carbon, Montana

General Notes on Husband:
CONFLICT: Birth date> Cemetery record has birth as 25 Jan 1890 while marriage record states age 21 years old on 20 January 1912.


Birth record agrees with information from marriage record.

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IDENTITY: John is most likely the adopted son of John McNeish and Jane Nisbet. In the 1891 census, he is described as their nephew. In the 1901 census, he is described as their son. In the 1898 New Cumnock General Register of the Poor, John McNeish, Sr. and Jane Nisbet are living with Jane's mother and are described as having four children (one adopted). Who his real parents are is a mystery, but his birth surname does seem to be McNeish. Perhaps, and this is pure speculation, he was an illegitimate son of one of John Sr.'s sisters.

The speculation about John's birth mother was correct. John's birth record (608-13) indicates that he was born "illegitimate" on Jan 20, 1890 in Connelpark, New Cumnock. Mother was Mary McNeish (House Keeper). Mary later married William McMaster Bell.

Informant was his mother.

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MCNEISH FUNERAL IS NOTED FRIDAY

Funeral services for John McNeish, 52, Washoe coal miner, were held from the Olcott chapel here at 3 p.m. Friday. Members of the United Mine Workers of America local union 858, of which McNeish was vice president, participated in internment rites at Bearcreek cemetery.

A trio composed of Mrs. J. Robinson, Mrs. H. Meyers, and Miss Nellie Williams sang "Life's Cares," "Only One Life," and "Alone with God."

Pallbearers were Dan McDonald, John McDonald, John Sommerville, Gilbert Sommerville, and Jake McNeish.

McNeish died at a Billings hospital Wednesday morning after a brief illness.

Born in Scotland on Jan. 25, 1890, he came to the United States 39 years ago and had been a resident of Red Lodge and Washoe for 29 years.

Prior to his illness he was employed at the Smith coal mine as a rope ridder on the main slope.

Survivors include the widow, Mrs. John McNeish, a daughter, Mrs. Mary Rogers of Cheyenne, Wyo., two brothers, William and James McNeish of Zanesville, O. and two sisters, Mrs. Nellie Woodson and Miss Elizabeth McNeish both of Zanesville.

There are also an Uncle, James McNeish of Washoe, and a grandson, John William Rogers of Cheyenne. 


Medical Notes: Husband
Hypertensive heart disease. Primary Hypertension
Source Citations:
1. United States. Census Office, "1920 U.S. Federal Census: Population Schedules" (14th Census. Washington, D.C.: Bureau of the Census Micro film Labratory, [193-?]. National Archives microfilm publications: T0625), Washoe, Carbon, Montana, ED:15, sheet 5a, line 20, FHL micr ofilm 1820967.

John McNeish, head, age 28, immigrated 1904, alien, born Scotland, parents born Scotland, rope rider in coal mine.

2. Scotland. General Register, "Statutory Register of Births [database on-line]" (http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/), GRO 608/00 Parish of New Cumnocl, County of Ayrshire, Scotland, John McNeish 1890 birth record, p. 5 no. 13.

John McNeish, illegitimate, born Twentieth of January 1890, 4 hrs. 10 mins. A.M. at Connel Park, mother Mary McNeish, occupation house keeper. Informant mother Mary McNeish. Registered 7th February 1890 at New Cumnock. Neil Moodie, Registrar.

3. Information from Elizabeth McNeish Johnson

Intial interview was 25 July in Casper, Wyoming. Additional information has been given at various times, but these dates have not been recorded. . .... Yellowstone Genealogy Forum, Cemetery Records of Carbon County (Montana) (Billings, Mont.: Double Image, 1989), p. 174. John McNeish born 25 Jan 1890, died 28 Jan 1942, buried Bearcreek Cemetery.

4. Olcot Funeral Home, Olcott Funeral Home Records (Red Lodge), John McNeish.

John McNeish, age 52 years, 3 days, died 28 January 1942 at Deaconess Hospital, Billings, Yellowstone County, Montana from cardiac collapse. Born 25 January 1890 in Scotland, father John McNeish, mother Jean Nesbit. Occupation miner, Social Security Number 516-03-0742. Wife Mary age 48 still living.

Belonged to the United Miner Worker Association (UMWA). Funeral 30 January 1942 at Olcott Funeral Home Chapel, 3:00 p.m. Clergy conducting was Nellie Williams. Buried 30 January 1942in Bearcreek Cemetery.

5. Ohio. Probate Court (Guernsey County), Marriage Records, 1810-1916. Ohio (Guernsey Co.) (Salt Lake City: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1972), Vol. 11, p. 197, FHL microfilm 894942.

Married 22 December 1911 at Cambridge County, Ohio by Reverend J. F McDonnell. Witnesses Mrs. J. F. McDonnell and C.W. Burt. John McDonald, father gave consent for Mary to marry John McNeish age 21 on 20 January 1912, residence Byesville, Ohio, birth Scotland, occupation miner, not previously married, father John McNeish, mother Jane Nesbit. Mary McDonald age 17 on 18 March 1911, residence Byesville, Ohio, occupation housekeeper, not previously married, father John McDonald, mother Mary Cameron.

6. "Information from Jack Edward McNeish."

7. Scotland. Registrar Generals Office, "Extract of an Entry in a Register of Births, 1861-1965" (Edinburgh, Scotland: New Register House), Armadale,

West Lothian, Scotland, p. 14, no.40. Mary McDonald born 14 March 1894, 9hr 0 min a.m. at 51 East Main Street, Armadale, West Lothian, father John McDonald, coal miner, mother Mary Cameron, parents married 15 Oct 1875 at Haywood, informant John McDonald. Registered 2 April 1894 at Armadale.

8. LeRoy S. Forbes, Big Horn County, Wyoming Cemetery Records (Salt Lake City, Ut.: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1992), Cowley Cemetery, Cowley, Wyoming. p. 129. [FHL fiche 6075849.

Mary Robb, born 14 Mar 1894, Armadale, Scotland, father John McDonald, mother Mary Cameron. 1st spouse . . . McNeish; 2nd spouse William Heber Robb.

Died 2 Nov 1961 Lovell, Big Horn, Wyoming, age 67, buried Cowley Cemetery, Cowley, Wyoming. ..L..o vell Chronicle, Lovell Chronicle, 4 November 1961,

"Funeral Services for Mary Robb."

Funeral services for Mary McDonald Robb were held Saturday, November 4 at 10:00 a.m. in the Cowley LDS chapel with 2nd counselor Bob Stevens conducting.

The choir sang "Rest for the Weary," and the invocation was given by Golden Snell. Mrs. Thomas Adams, Jr., sang "Going Home," and the obituary was read by Maude Holyoak. A vocal duet was sung by the Welch brothers, "Beyond the Sunset." Robert L. Peterson was the speaker followed by the choir's closing number, "Abide with Me, 'tis Eventide." The benediction was given by Hyrum Blackburn.

Mary McDonald Robb was born Mar. 14, 1894 in Armadale Scotland. When she was 7 the family moved to the United States, becoming a citizen in 1954. She grew up in Byesville, O.

She was married to John McNeish and they moved to Washoe, Mont., in 1914. After the death of Mr. McNeish she moved to Cheyenne, later returning to Montana where she married William Heber Robb June 24, 1946. They lived from then on in Cowley.

Mrs. Robb became a member of the LDS church in 1957 and was active in the Relief Society.

Survivors include a daughter, Mary McNeish Rogers, Cheyenne, and six step-sons, Clifton, Kenneth and Clair of Cowley, Elton of Pleasant Grove, Utah, Heber of Mapelton, Utah, and Walter of Lovell; 12 grandchildren, 12 step-grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; and a sister Jean Watson, Greybull. .... Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints. Membership Department, Deceased Membership Records, 1941-1988 (Salt Lake City: Manuscript, filmed by the Church Historian's Office, 1944-2002), Mary McDonald Robb, FHL microfilm 884300.

Mary McDonald Robb, born 14 March 1894 at Arundell [Armadale], Scotland, father John McDonald, mother Mary Cameron. Husband Heber William Robb.

Died 2 November 1961 at Lovell, Wyoming, from a heart attack. Baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 29 August 1957 by Walter Simmons Robb, confirmed 29 August 1957 by Carlyle E. Eyre.

9. Scotland. Census Office, "1871 Census Returns of Scotland" (Edinburgh: New Register House, 1952, 1985), Carnwath (Parish 632), Lanarkshire, p. 2, no. 6, FHL microf ilm 104014. John McDonald, boarder, age 18, miner, born Ireland. Living with step-father Daniel Haughan and mother Jane. .... Scotland.

Census Office, "1881 Census Returns of Scotland" (Edinburgh: New Register House), Carnwath (Parish 632), Lanarkshir6e, Scotland, p. 31, no. 1 14, FHL microfilm 203623. John McDonald, head, married, age 27, gas coal miner, born Ireland. .... United States. Census Office, "1910 U.S. Federal Census:

Population Schedules" (13th Census. Washington, D.C.: Bureau of the Census Micro film Labratory, [19--?]. National Archives microfilm publications:


T0624), Jackson Twp, Guernsey, Ohio, ED:15, sheet 3b, line 81, FH L microfilm 1375198. John McDonald, head, age 58, married, 34 years, born Ireland, parents born Ireland, immigrated 1903, alien, coal miner. .... United States. Census Office, "1920 U.S. Federal Census: Population Schedules" (14th Census.

Washington, D.C.: Bureau of the Census Micro film Labratory, [193-?]. National Archives microfilm publications: T0625), Washoe, Carbon, Montana, ED:15, sheet 5b, line 58, FHL micr ofilm 1820967. John McDonald, head, age 68, immigrated 1903, born Scotland, parents born Scotland, pump man for coal mine. .... Ellis Island Passenger Lists, Date of Arrival New York: Jun 24, 1893; Ship City of Rome ; Port of Departure: Greenock.

0299 McDonald, John M 40y Scotland Armadale
0300 McDonald, Mrs. F 37y Scotland Armadale
0301 McDonald, John M 16y Scotland Armadale
0302 McDonald, Dan M 12y Scotland Armadale
0303 McDonald, Alick M 10y Scotland Armadale
0304 McDonald, Abraham M 8y Scotland Armadale
0305 McDonald, Cath. F 6y Scotland Armadale
0306 McDonald, Jane F 4y Scotland Armadale
0307 McDonald, Euph. F 2y Scotland Armadale.
.... United States. Immigration and Naturalization Service, "Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving at New
York, 1897-1924." (Washington, D.C.: National Archives Record Service.), S.S. Columbia, arrived 17 Aug 1903, group b, list 25, FHL m icrofilm 1399068.

John McDonald, age 48, miner, last residence Armadale, final destination St. Marys, in United States 7 years ago, joining son Alex McDonald in Diggers Mines, St. Marys, Elk, Pennsylvania.

10. Scotland. Census Office, "1881 Census Returns of Scotland" (Edinburgh: New Register House), Carnwath (Parish 632), Lanarkshire, p. 31, no. 114, FHL microfilm 203623. Mary McDonald, wife, age 24, born Shotts, Lanarkshire. .... Scotland. Census Office, "1891 Census Returns of Scotland" (Edinburgh:

New Register House), Armadale, West Lothian, ED:1, p. 24, no.111, FHL microfil m 220363. Mary McDonald, wife, age 36, coal miner wife, born Chapelhall, Lanarkshire. .... United States. Immigration and Naturalization Service, "Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving at New York, 1897-1924."

(Washington, D.C.: National Archives Record Service.), S.S. Columbia, arrived 17 Aug 1903, group b, list 26. {FH L film 1399068. Mary McDonald, age 47, miners wife, last residence Armadale, final destination St. Marys, joining son Alex McDonald in Diggers Mines, St. Marys, Elk, Pennsylvania. .... United States. Census Office, "1910 U.S. Federal Census: Population Schedules" (13th Census. Washington, D.C.: Bureau of the Census Micro film Labratory,

[19--?]. National Archives microfilm publications: T0624), Jackson Twp, Guernsey, Ohio, ED:15, sheet 3b, line 81, FH L microfilm 1375198. Mary McDonald, wife, age 55, had 12 children, 9 still living, born Scotland, parents born Scotland. .... United States. Census Office, "1920 U.S. Federal Census:

Population Schedules" (14th Census. Washington, D.C.: Bureau of the Census Micro film Labratory, [193-?]. National Archives microfilm publications:

T0625), Washoe, Carbon, Montana, ED:15, sheet 5b, line 59, FHL micr ofilm 1820967. Mary McDonald, wife, age 65, immigrated 1903, born Scotland, parents born Scotland.

11. Yellowstone County (Montana). Clerk of the District Court, Marriage Records, 1881-1951. Montana (Yellowstone Co.) (Salt Lake City: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1994), book 37, p. 55, FHL microfilm 1943770.

[Groom] Heber Robb, residence Cowley, Wyoming, age 69, born Parowan, Utah on 1 June 1877, widower, father Adam Robb, mother Sarah Holyoak. [Bride]

Mary McNeish, residence Cheyenne, Wyoming, age 53, born Armadale, Scotland on 14 Mar 1893, widow, father John McDonald, mother Mary Cameron.

12. "1901 Census Returns of Scotland [database online]," Woodend Rows, Parish: Torphichen, West Lothian, Scotland; ED: 3; Page: 8 Lines: 20-25; Page 9 Lines: 1-4 Roll CSSCT1901_358; Year: 1901 John McDonald household.

~John McDonald, head of household, age 48, occupation coal miner, born Ireland

~Mary McDonald, wife of John McDonald, age 46, born Chapelhall, Lanarkshire

~Daniel McDonald, so of John McDonald, age 21, occupation coal miner, born Haywood, Lanarkshire

~Alex McDdonald, son of John McDonald, age 19, occupation coal miner, born Haywood, Lanarkshire

~Abraham McDonald, son of John McDonald, age 17, scholar, born Haywood, Lanarkshire

~Catherine McDonald, daughter of John McDonald, age 15, born Haywood, Lanarkshire

~Jane McDonald, daughter of John McDonald, age 12, scholar, born Haywood, Lanarkshire

~Euphemia McDonald, daughter of John McDonald, age 10, scholar, born Haywood, Lanarkshire

~Mary McDonald, daughter of John McDonald, age 8, born Armadale, Linlithgowshire

~Gilbert McDonald, son of John McDonald, age 3, born Armadale, Linlithgowshire.

13. United States. Census Office, "1910 U.S. Federal Census: Population Schedules" (13th Census. Washington, D.C.: Bureau of the Census Micro film Labratory, [19--?]. National Archives microfilm publications: T0624), Jackson Twp, Guernsey, Ohio, ED:15, sheet 3b, line 83, FH L microfilm 1375198.

Mary McDonald, daughter, age 16, single, born Scotland, father born Ireland, mother born Scotland.

14. United States. Census Office, "1920 U.S. Federal Census: Population Schedules" (14th Census. Washington, D.C.: Bureau of the Census Micro film Labratory, [193-?]. National Archives microfilm publications: T0625), Washoe, Carbon, Montana, ED:15, sheet 5a, line 21, FHL micr ofilm 1820967.

Mary McNeish, wife, age 26, immigrated 1905, alien, born Scotland, parents born Scotland.

15. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day day Saints, "Church Census Records, 1914-1960" (Salt Lake City: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1962), Census of 1955, FHL microfilm 471596.

Mary McDonald Robb, female, married, non-member, born 14 Mar 1893 Armadale, Scotland.

16. Yellowstone County (Montana). Clerk of the District Court, Marriage Records, 1881-1951. Montana (Yellowstone Co.) (Salt Lake City:

Genealogical Society of Utah, 1994), book 22, p. 359 [FHL film 1943763.
Married 26 October 1932 at Billings, Yellowstone, Montana by W.E. Downs, Justice of the Peace. Witnesses James McNeish and Euphemia McNeish.


[Groom] John McNeish, residence Washoe, Montana, age 43, born Newcumnock, Scotland, previously married, father John McNeish, mother Jeanie Nesbit.

[Bride] Mary McDonald, residence Washoe, Montana, age 38, born Armadale, Scotland, father John McDonald, mother Mary Cameron.

17. United States. Census Office, "1920 U.S. Federal Census: Population Schedules" (14th Census. Washington, D.C.: Bureau of the Census Micro film Labratory, [193-?]. National Archives microfilm publications: T0625), Washoe, Carbon, Montana, ED:15, sheet 5a, line 22, FHL micr ofilm 1820967. Mary McNeish, daughter, age 7 years, 5 months, born Ohio, parents born Scotland.

18. Montana. Carbon County. Superintendent of Schools, "School Census Report," Washoe, District no. 54, 1919 census. Mary McNish, age 9, born 18 August 1912, parents John and Mary McNish, residence Washoe.

19. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. FamilySearch, "Social Security Death Index (on-line)," 1996 edition, version 1.30. Mary Rogers, born 19 Aug 1912, Social Security Number 520-26-1256 issued in Wyoming, died Oct 1981 at San Jose, Santa Clara, California. .... California. Santa Clara County,

"Death Records," no. 4300-06704-516. Mary M. Rogers, age 69, died 15 October 1981, at Driftwood Convalescent Hospital, from arteria heart disease. Born 19 August 1912 in Ohio, father John McNeish, born Scotland, mother Mary born Scotland. Social Security Number 520-03-5623, widow, housewife.

Informant Mrs. Wanda Milligan, daughter, 3455 Marten Avenue, San Jose, CA 95148. Funeral Director Habing Family Funeral Home [telephone: 408-294- 9663]. Buried 21 October 1981 at Greybull Cemetery, Wyoming. .... Newspaper Agency (Greybull, Wyoming), "Greybull Standard" (Serial), Thursday, 22 October 1981, "Mary Rogers."

Graveside services for Mary Rogers, former Greybull resident, were held Wednesday, Oct. 21, at Hillside Cemetery. Rev. Theodore Cox Officiated.

Arrangements were under the direction of the Atwood Family Funeral Home, Basin. She died Oct. 15 in Gilroy, California. She was 69. Born Oct. 19, 1912 in Byesville, Ohio, she was the daughter of John and Mary McNeish. When she was two-years old, she moved with her family to Washoe, Mont. She married Thomas A. Rogers in Greybull in 1933. He preceded her in death in 1979. She moved to California in 1980. Among her survivors are sons John W. Rogers, Australia; Clarence M. Rogers [step-son], Cheyenne; daughter, Wanda Milligan [step-daughter], San Jose, Calif; 20 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.

20. Wyoming. Greybull (Big Horn). Hillside Cemetery, "Headstone

Hillside Cemetery is outside Greybull City limits and there is no actual address. Hatwoods Mortuary (tel. 307-568-2041) has a map of all the plots and who is buried where. The sexton is Terry Kunkle (tel. 301-765-2267). 30 August 2002." .... Atwood Family Funeral Directors (Basin, Wyoming), "Funeral Home Records" (Manuscript), Mary Rogers.

Mary Rogers, age 69, died 15 October 1981 at Gilroy, California. Born 19 August 1912 in Byesville, Ohio, father John McNeish, mother Mary. Married  Thomas Arthur Rogers in 1933, widow. Moved from Ohio to Washoe, Montana at age 2, thenmoved to Greybull in 1933, and California in 1980. Survivors:

John William Rogers, Australia; Clarence M. Rogers, Cheyenne, Wyoming; Wanda L. Milliagan, San Jose, California; 20 grandchildren, 20 greatgrandchildren.

Informant Wanda Milligan, 3455 Marten Ave, San Jose, California, 95148. Habing Mortuary in Gilroy, California (408-847-4040) shipped body to Atwood Funeral Home. Graveside services held Wednesday 21 October 1921, 2:00 p.m. at Hillside Cemetery. Buried in Hillside Cemetery next to
Thomas Arthur Rogers, lot 76, block 15.

21. Wyoming. Big Horn County Clerk, Marriage Records, (Big Horn County, Wyoming), Married 6 July 1933 in Greybull, Wyoming, by S.K. Markley, Presbyterian Minister. Witnesses Fannie Bennett and C.F. Carnell. Filed 7 July 1933.

Thomas A. Rogers, over age 21, residence Greybull, Big Horn County, Wyoming and Mary McNeish, over age 21, residence Red Lodge, Ravalli [Carbon] County, Montana.

22. Montana. Carbon County. Clerk & Recorder, "Birth Certificate," no. 3142. Infant McNeish female, stillborn 4 January 1925 in Washoe, Carbon County, Montana, father John McNeish, residence Washoe, Montana, age 34 on last birthday, born New Numnock, Scotland, occupation haulage man for coal mine,
mother Mary McDonald, age 31 last birthday, born Armadale, Scotland.  At this birth, one child born alive and living, two stillborn children for mother Mary McDonald.

23. Montana. Carbon County Clerk and Recorder, "Death Records" (Manuscript), no. 1519. Infant McNeish, female, died 4 Jan 1925, 8:15 p.m. at Washoe, Carbon, Montana, father John McNeish born New Cumnock, Scotland, mother Mary McDonald, born Armadale, Scotland. Listed as a seven month pregnancy.

Informant John McNeish of Washoe. Funeral Director B. Downard of Red Lodge. Buried 6 Jan 1925 at Bearcreek Cemetery.

24. Yellowstone Genealogy Forum, Cemetery Records of Carbon County (Montana) (Billings, Mont.: Double Image, 1989), p. 174. Infant McNeish, born 4 January 1925, died 4 January 1925, buried Bearcreek Cemetery. Female child.



Bearcreek Cemetery Carbon County Montana



Mary McDonald Robb

Drawing of Mary McDonald Robb

Mary McDonald Robb Obituary

Birth: Mar. 14, 1894
Glasgow, Scotland
Death: Nov. 2, 1961
Lovell,Big Horn County
Wyoming, USA
Obit. Saved by: Haskell Funeral Home
Printed in: ?
Typed by: Lovell Cemetery

Mrs. Mary Robb, 67, of Cowley, widow of the late William Heber Robb, died at the North Big Horn hospital in Lovell Thursday morning, from complications from a broken hip she suffered a week ago.

She was born March 14, 1894, in Glasgow, Scotland. She came to the United States with her parents, John and Mary Cameron McDonald, when she was 2 years old.

She is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Mary Rogers, Cheyenne; six sons, Heber, Mapleton, Utah, Clifton, Kenneth and Clair of Cowley, Elton, Pleasant Grove, Utah, and Walter, Lovell; one brother, Gilbert McDonald, of Detroit, Mich.; three sisters, Mrs. Catherine Miller, of Caimbridge, Ohio; Mrs. Jean Watson, Greybull, and Mrs. Fane McNeish, San Francisco, Calif.; three grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

The funeral services will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. from the cowley LDS chapel, with Bishop Louis B. Welch officiating. Burial will be in the Cowley cemetery, with the Haskell funeral home in charge of arrangements.


Record added: Apr 04, 2010
Find A Grave Memorial# 50648661



Mary McDonald McNeish Robb Monument
Cowley Cemetery Cowley, Wyoming

Clara Minnie Simmons Robb - Obituary and Funeral Services

Clara Minnie Simmons Robb

Born: February 18, 1887
Died: March 31, 1945

Heart Attack Fatal To Mrs. Clara Robb

Mrs. Clara M. Simmons Robb died Saturday of last week at her home in Cowley from a heart attack.

Services were held in the Cowley Ward chapel, Bishop James Harston conducting. The opening song was sung by Ora M. Welch and Arthur M. Welch, "O, It Is Wonderful." Invocation was offered by Samuel R. Wilcock. The ladies trio, Mrs. Alys Bush, Betty Jo Crosby and Frankie Jensen sang, “In the Garden of Tomorrow,” accompanied by Mrs. O. M. Welch. The obituary was given by Elburn Kennison, a nephew of Mrs. Robb, E.R. Gwynn spoke briefly of his long association with the Robb family and gave them some consoling thoughts. Mrs. Marguerite Condie sang, “O Dry Those Tears,” accompanied by Mrs. Welch. C. Golden Welch, a life long friend of Mrs. Robb, gave the sermon and read some poetry he had written for the occasion. The closing song was given by the ladies trio, “I Love You Truly.” Nephi L. Robertson offered the benediction.

Mrs. Robb was born Feb. 18, 1887, at Morgan, Utah. She is survived by her husband, Heber Robb and six sons, Kenneth, Walter, Clair, all of Cowley, Elton of Tacoma, Wash., Heber S. Jr., and Clifton of the armed services; her father, William George Simmons of Cowley; four sisters, Mrs. Ida Rasmussen of Cowley, Mrs. Ruth Peterson of Emblem, Mrs. Mary Peterson of Greybull, Mrs. Eva Small of Basin; four brothers, Vernal, Walater, joseph and William Simmons, all of Cowley, and two grandchildren.

Interment was in the Cowley cemetery.



Clara Minnie Simmons Robb Obituary

 Poem as composed and recited by C. Golden Welch:


C. Golden Welch



WHAT IS THIS THING CALLED DEATH, THAT COMES TO LOVED ONES DEAR,

AND STILLS THE VOICE AND CHILLS THE FORM, WITHIN THE SCARED BEIR

IT IS NOT GIVEN US TO KNOW. WE ALL MUST TRUST WITH FAITH

IF MAN IS BORN SO HE MUST DIE, THE SCARED SCRIPTURES SAITH

IS IT THE END OF MORTAL MAN, AND HE SHALL LIVE NO MORE

GOD’S PROMISES WOULD MOCKERY BE, REPEATED ‘O’RR AND O’RR.

IF MAN IS BORN HE SURE MUST DIE, SINCE ADAM IS THE PLAN,

JUST WHY THE SEPERATION IS NEAR MISTERY UNTO MAN.

GOD MADE THE EARTH, THE BIRDS THE BEASTS, AND LAST OF ALL THE MAN

AND SAID GO DOWN TO MOTHER EARTH, AND GAVE THE GOSPEL PLAN.

TO KEEP US SAFE AND GUIDE THE WAY, MAKE EVERY ONE A KING

AND GAVE HIS LAST CREATION, A CHARGE THAT EVERYTHING

SHOULD BE SUBJECTED TO HIS WILL, IF HE WOULD FAITHFUL BE

THROUGH THIS SHORT SPAN OF EARTHLY LIFE, AND ALL ETERNITY.

JUST TRUST IN ME, RESPECT MY SON, LOVE GOD AND FELLOWMEN,

AND AFTER THIS MORTALITY, I’LL CALL YOU HOME AGAIN.

GO FORTH, BE FAITHFUL, MULTIPLY, SUBDUE THE EARTH BY SWEAT

AND YOU SHALL HAVE MORE JOY IN LIFE, AND SUFFER NO REGRET,

KNOW YOU RETURN TO MEET THE JUDGE, YOU’LL EVER HAPPY BE,

IF LIFE ON EARTH IS FULL AND SWEET, THEN YOU’LL RETURN TO ME.

WE MORN AT DEATH’S SAD PARTING, AS LOVED ONES PASS AWAY,

THOUGH WE HAVE LIVED TOGETHER LONG, IT SEEMS BUT ONE SHORT DAY

AND ALL OUR PLANS ARE BROKEN AND THE PARTING GIVES US PAIN

AGAIN GOD’S PROMISE IS OUR HOPE, WE ALL WILL MEET AGAIN.

GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN, CHRIST SAID WHILE ON THE EARTH,

THAN HE THAT GIVES IT FOR A FRIEND, A TRIAL WILL PROVE ITS WORTH,

WHAT MORE COULD’ST ASK THAN MOTHERHOOD DEVOTION UNSURPASSED,

THE PRIME OF LIFE IN TOIL AND LOVE, IS GIVEN THIS GREAT TASK,

HER WATCHFUL WAITING DAY AND NIGHT, ‘TILL MANHOOD IS THE GOAL

FULFILS THE GREAT COMMANDMENT, AND MAKES A LIVING SOUL

FOR AS IN ADAM ALL MUST DIE, THROUGH CHRIST WE LIVE AGAIN

SHALL GRACE THIS EARTH, GODS FOOT STOOL, THE LAW SHALL EVER BE

‘TIS OURS ‘TIS HIS, ‘TWAS EVER SO, AND EVER MORE SHALL BE.

SIX SONS, SIX TIMES, HATH ENTERED THE SHADOW UNTO DEATH,

SIX SONS, SIX TIMES HATH GIVEN A LIFE, A MORTAL GIVEN BREATH,

SIX SONS, A LOVING HUSBAND, WILL MORN HER PASSING BYE

AND E’RE REVER HER MEMORY, THE SPOT WHERE SHE WILL LIE

AND GOD SHALL CALL HER FORTH AGAIN, THE PARTING WILL BE O’RE

AND MOTHER, HUSBAND, SONS WILL LIVE IN JOY FOR EVERMORE.



Poem written by C. Golden Welch for Clara Minnie Simmons Robb
and read by him at the funeral services.




A Memorial Tribute Booklet



Clara Minnie Simmons Robb Monument
Cowley Wyoming Cemetery

4th of July - We Remember

Conference Report Oct 1902 - Big Horn Stake of Zion

Elder Jesse W Crosby - conference Report, Oct 1902 3rd day session

In standing before you this morning and representing the Big Horn Stake of Zion - a new stake that has been organized in Wyoming, and in listening to the reports of the different missions and stakes, I feel that we all belong to Zion. the people of our stake have come from various parts; some from almost every county in Utah, some from Idaho, some from Canada, some from Mexico. They have formed themselves into a body of people there that are known and recognized as Latter-day Saints. To us who have gone there it has been a land of promise, and our gathering is a fulfillment of prophecy; for it was prophesied many years ago that the Saints would locate in the Big Horn Basin and become a flourishing people. President Young prophesied in regard to this, as did Jesse W. Fox, the well known surveyor, who went into that locality and discovered its resources. We believe that the Lord has held in reserve portions of that country for His people.


I do not think it is necessary to say much about our country; in the due time of the Lord it will speak for itself. When compared with many places that the Saints have located in, it is certainly a goodly land. The Lord has heard and answered the prayers of His people there, and the success that has attended our labors has been marvelous to us, as well as to those who have watched our operatons. Quite a number of eastern people have tried to colonize in that land, but have been unsuccessful in taking out the water. They have had to concede that the Latter-day Saints are natural colonizers, because of the union that exists among them. In a little over two years we have opened a number of canals, our biggest canal being thirty-three miles long, and costing nearly $100,000. The water was taken out this year, going the full length of the ditch, and on the 23rd of June we commenced irrigating, and have produced some crops. This will show what can be done on that soil.

We have friends in that land. The governor of the state has been watching very carefully what the Latter-day Saints were capable of doing. He says he has watched us with more than personal interest, so that he might see what could be done to make some of that desert land fruitful. Since we commenced operations, companies from the east and the west have started to taking out canals. The officials of the state of Wyoming are treating us with all the courtesy that we could ask. We have come to regard Governor Richards unto us like Joseph was in Egypt, and we feel very grateful to him.

Many of those who have gone into the Big Horn country are poor people. They had more labor than they could utilize where they were living, the water resources being limited, and they either had to work for someone else or go without employment. They are now working for themselves, opening up farms and making homes. About two years ago we discovered that we were going to be short of provisions, many people having come in without sufficient to hold out until they could raise something. The situation seemed somewhat serious; but the Lord opened the way, an answer to fasting and prayer. The Burlington railroad officials offered us contracts on their road, which we accepted; and after fulfilling the contracts we received our money, and utilized it to the very best advantage.

The people, I believe, are trying hard to make it a land of Zion, by keeping the commandments of the Lord thereon. We have a God-fearing people there, who are trying with all their hearts to serve God and to make the land a place that the Lord will delight to bless because of the faithfulness of those who dwell there.

May God bless Israel and all who write and speak in favor of Zion is the prayer of your humble servant, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Elder Jesse W. Crosby
_____________________________
Source: 
MyFamily.com Cowley Wyoming Group

Elton Simmons Robb

Elton Simmons Robb

Birth: Oct. 23, 1916


Cowley, Big Horn County, Wyoming, USA
Death: Jun. 13, 2002
Utah, USA

Ruth Tippetts and Elton Simmons Robb

Elton Simmons Robb, returned home to our Heavenly Father June 13, 2002, at the age of 85.  Elton was born Oct 23, 1916, to Heber William and Clara Minnie Robb in Cowley, WY.   He married Ruth Tippetts Nov 6, 1940, in the Cardston Alberta Canada LDS Temple.   He later married Beth Lambert Sept 19, 1985.

Elton worked in the shipyards of Seattle, Washington, during World War II, later they moved to Utah to work at Geneva Steel where he worked for over 35 years.

Elton was also an avid outdoorsman. He loved everything about the outdoors including fishing, hunting, gardening, and rock hounding. He made many beautiful pieces of jewelry from the rocks he found.


Elton also was an avid BYU fan of all sports.

Elton was very active in the LDS Church. He held positions such as ward clerk, Sunday School presidency, stake missionary, temple worker, Family History Specialist. He and Beth serve a mission to the Halifax New Brunswick Mission.
Elton is survived by his wife, Beth, Pleasant Grove; three daughters and two sons, Mirriam (Donald) Gibbons, Springville, Glenn (Julie) Robb, West Valley City, Patricia (Stewart) Schow, Highland, Robert (Della) Robb, Ridgecrest, CA, Jean (Leonard) Shoell, Pleasant Grove; one stepdaughter, Jane Ann (David) Blackinton, Orem; one brother, Clair Robb, Orem; 30 grandchildren and step-grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren and step great-grandchildren. His wife, Ruth; brothers, Clifton, Kenneth, Heber, Walter Robb; and recently his grandson, Daniel Elton Schow, preceded him in death.

He will be remembered at a service Tues. June 18, 2002, 2 p.m., Timpanogos Third Ward chapel, 520 N. 400 E, Pleasant Grove.

Friends are welcome to call Mon. June 17, 2002, 6-8 p.m., Olpin Mortuary, 494 S. 300 E, Pleasant Grove and one hour prior to the service at the chapel.
Interment, Pleasant Grove Cemetery.
Published in the Deseret News on June 16, 2002

Family links:

Spouse:
Ruth Tippetts Robb (1920 - 1990)

Elton Simmons and Ruth Tippetts Robb



Burial:

Pleasant Grove City Cemetery

Pleasant Grove, Utah County, Utah, USA

Plot: D-05-136-06 DDT

Record added: Nov 13, 2010

Find A Grave Memorial# 61577910

Ruth Tippetts Robb
Birth: Apr. 17, 1920

Death: Jul. 3, 1990

Spouse:
Elton Simmons Robb (1916 - 2002)
Burial:


Ruth Tippetts and Elton Simmons Robb Monument



Back of  Ruth Tippetts and Elton Simmons Monument


Pleasant Grove City Cemetery
Pleasant Grove, Utah County, Utah, USA
Plot: D-05-136-06 DDB

"I'm Sykes!"

Walter Simmons Robb

My father was the bravest, strongest man in the whole world.  He knew everything, and could fix anything that needed fixing.  Snakes and spiders didn't bother him at all, and as far as I could tell being in high places didn't bother him either.  He was my hero.  I couldn't imagine daddy being afraid of anything, so you can only imagine my surprise when he told me this story.

He was just a little boy at the time, playing with some friends in the streets in Cowley.  The boys were running and playing and having a pretty good time, when a man came into town riding on a horse.  He was a short, powerfully built man, dressed in buckskins.  He had a big mustache and an old slouch hat.  He stopped his horse and looked down at the boys, then he told them to get off the streets.  Now the fellow was kind of scary, but they didn't want to stop their fun.  Anyway, they couldn't think of any reason why they should do anything this man told them to do, so they said, "Why, who are you?"  His reply was, "I'm Sykes!"  That's all it took.  The boys scattered and daddy said he was so scared he ran all the way home and hid under his bed.  Then I understood, everyone was afraid of Sykes, I was, and he had been dead for years.

As kids, we had heard about Sykes.  I never knew his first name, I didn't know anyone who called him by his first name, but everyone knew who Sykes was.  He was a legend where I grew up.  We heard about the gold he buried in the hillsides going toward Yellowtail.  We dreamed about finding his gold stach and becoming rich.  When we drove through "Syke's range" I looked carefully at the side hills searching for the perfect spot to hid a treasure.  When we were a little older and could drive, we sometimes drove up to his cabin which was on the way to Dryhead, and we would walk around and talk about the stories we heard about him.  One of the big ones, besides the gold, and we heard he may have eaten his wife, was how he died.  He died in his cabin, and someone went up to visit him a few days later and found him slouched in his bed.  His neighbors dug a hole in front of the cabin door, wrapped him up in the blanket and pulled him into the grave with grappling hooks,  then covered  him over with dirt.  We liked going in the old cabin to look around.  I always took as big a step as I could so I wouldn't step on his grave.  Well, that's what we heard anyway. 



Frank Sykes - Squaw Man
January 1854 - August 1921

Now that I'm older, I have learned that Sykes' had a name.  It is Frank, Frank Sykes, and he had a family.  The following are some stories I found about Frank Sykes.  His reputation was well deserved and the stories are full of people we knew or heard of while growing up in Lovell and Cowley. 

In the 1890s, Frank Sykes built a cabin on Crooked Creek. The cabin occupied a piece of high ground, giving views in all directions. Sykes selected this place not for the stunning beauty of the area; instead it was because he didn’t want anyone sneaking up on him.

Frank Sykes Cabin

Where Sykes came from was as legendary as his life. Some said Michigan, others Canada, acquaintances all agreed that he had been raised by Shoshone Indians and become a mountain man before settling down.

How he got to the Crooked Creek area was disputed almost as much as his wife's death. Some say she died during childbirth, others that she was killed while defending Sykes from an attacker. She was buried near the cabin, but not on Sykes property. It was said that she was a little too friendly with some men in Billings. Perhaps just rumors or legends, when it came to Sykes the truth was always larger than life.

Graves of Frank Sykes and family

Tanning Day
Sykes was extraordinarily eccentric. Short and powerfully built, he dressed in buckskins, sported a black slouch hat, and wore a handlebar mustache. He always had his trusty single-action Colt 44 at his side.  My brother Rick said he lost his eye while riding a horse.

He tanned his own clothing. When this was in progress he posted a sign on his mail box stating, “No Visitors Today. This is Tanning Day.” One intrepid visitor found out why, Sykes tanned in the nude.

Until The Day He Died
Sykes, suspicious at best, was said to have worn a pistol on his side all the time, literally until the day he died. He supposedly kept a “Death List” of those who had crossed him. These included men or women who had committed relatively minor offences. One woman, a Mrs. LaRoche, ended up on the list for siding with Sykes wife, when the couple was having a dispute.

A man by the name of George “Starky” Teeples made the list after he asked Sykes for a few of his plum trees. Sykes agreed, as long as Teeples did not take any of Mrs. Sykes trees, but Teeples took Mrs. Sykes trees anyway. It wasn’t long until Frank Sykes found Teeples, pulled his gun and made Teeples cut the trees into tiny little pieces.

A Third Helping
Sykes would only eat one course at a meal. Another Crooked Creek settler, George Kelsey joined Sykes for one of these meals, potatoes cooked in rancid bear grease. Sykes literally shoved a skillet in front of Kelsey for not one, but two helpings. He refused a third, only to have Sykes pull out his Colt 44 and demand that Kelsey “go ahead and finish up these spuds because you are going to eat potatoes just like that horse of yours is eating my hay!” Kelsey ate potatoes until he was sick.

Colorful stories such as this abound when it comes to Sykes. In the late summer of 1921, Sykes was found by a young friend who had stopped by the cabin for a visit, slumped on his bunk, dead. His Colt 44 was hanging in a gun belt on the bed post, within reach of its legendary owner.

**********************

Fascinating History of Crooked Creek Country
and more stories of Frank Sykes.

The Homestead Era

by David Harvey, 1974

“The Land God Forgot” – Bessie Tillett of Crooked Creek, Montana

The Strong and Tillett families have influenced much of the history of the Pryor Mountains. Bessie Strong Tillett (born November, 1889) and Edna Strong Anderson (July, 1885) came with their parents to the Lovell area in 1894. Their parents opened the successful Strong Hotel and Saloon in Lovell. Frank was also involved in the building of the first irrigation canals in the Lovell area. “In 1903, the Strongs bought the Hugh Kelsey ranch and two others on Crooked Creek.”  A few years later, the whole Strong family moved to Crooked Creek to live.

Frank Strong also had contracts with the government to carry the mail to the Dryhead, Crooked Creek and Kane area. Edna carried the mail by horseback for a number of years. Bessie also carried the mail on and off between 1905-1910.

Around 1902, Frank Strong and others were involved in a shooting spree near Medicine Creek (previously known as Davis Creek) in the Dryhead country. It all got started when Frank Strong decided to have the Ewing boys run some of his cattle in the Dryhead. Link Hannen and Marry Mogan, Dryhead ranchers, did not take much to what they considered encroachment of “their” range. So Hannen and Mogan rimrocked 28 of Strong’s cattle in the Big Horn River! Hearing of this, Frank Strong, Lee Ewing and Ed Morse headed toward Hannen’s ranch near Medicine Creek to even the score. A shootout occurred and Ed Morse was slightly wounded. Frank Strong, thinking Morse was dead, and Ewing nowhere to be seen, “got the terrible feeling that he was facing Hannen and his henchmen alone, so he ran for the nearest horse and vacated the area as fast as possible. As the story goes, Hugh Kelsey is supposed to have seen Frank riding toward town and started after him to give him a letter mail. Frank, thinking that he was being pursued by Hannen, nearly killed his horse getting away.”  After the shootout, Hannen became paranoid over the fact that maybe Strong and his men would return. So Hannen stayed indoors for a good while. When he had to venture from his cabin to get water, he would disguise himself in his wife’s clothes in order not to get shot at.

Bessie Tillett said no one was arrested for rimrocking her father’s cattle. She remembers Hannen being arrested many times in his life, but he was never convicted.

Around the same, time, Edna strong married her first of three husbands, Jim Kelsey. Not too long after, Hugh Kelsey, who had come back to Crooked Creek around the time of the Strong –Hannen incident, asked his brother to hide him from the law. Hugh had been arrested in Livingston, Montana, for cattle rustling, but had jumped bail. Hugh, as mentioned in the Sage Creek chapter, had been involved earlier in cattle rustling around Crooked Creek. Years later, it was reported that cowhides were found in the roof of Hugh Kelsey’s barn! Anyway, Jim hid Hugh down at Frank Sykes’ place, then Edna took Hugh on her horse to Kane to catch the train to escape from the law. As the story goes, Edna complained bitterly about Hugh, because his suitcase wore the hide off her horse! Later, Hugh Kelsey made his way to Canada, “and established a ranch on the Peace River”.

“After the turn of the century, most men in the northern Wyoming area did not wear guns, unless they were riding the open range or expecting trouble. Frank Sykes, however, wore his pistol all the time, up until the day he died.”  Before Frank Sykes came to Crooked Creek, he lived among the Shoshone Indians in central Wyoming. He was a mountain man and a trapper. In the early 1890s, Sykes and his wife Ann Forsche, “squatted” on Lower Crooked Creek near Sykes Spring, just south of the “ceded strip.“ Sykes’ cabin is near the road that leads into the Dryhead. “He built the cabin on high ground, so as to command all approaches.”  Sykes was suspicious of everyone, one reason he wore his pistol all the time. If one crossed Sykes, that person most likely would end up on Sykes” “Death List”. Sykes had no intention of going out and hunting down his “enemies”. But if his “enemies” were wise, he or she would not go near his place. “Mrs. Warren LaRoche, wife of a French-Canadian who had settle on Lower Crook Creek in 1895, had befriended Mrs. Sykes (whom Frank was not on good terms with), possibly siding with her on a dispute with Frank. She earned a place on the ”Death List!”

Jim Kelsey almost earned a place on Sykes; “Death List”. Jim was a good friend of Sykes, but he too had to be careful not to cross Frank. One time Jim stopped in to visit, leaving his horse outside eating hay. Sykes was preparing a dinner of potatoes cooked in bear grease. Sykes offered Jim some, which he politely took. When offered more, Jim declined. Sykes became incensed and put his hand on his gun and forcefully told Jim, “Go ahead and finish up these spuds, because you are going to eat potatoes just like that horse of yours is eating my hay.”  Jim gained an aversion towards potatoes whicih he never got over.

George “Starky” Teeples did gain a place on the “Death List”. One time Teeples asked Sykes if he could have some of his young plum trees, planted near Sykes’ cabin. Sykes said okay but warned Teeples not to take any of his wife’s trees. But Mrs. Sykes’ trees looked better to “Starky” so he took them instead. When Sykes found out, he went straight to Teeples’ place, drew his gun and forced Starky to cut them up into little pieces. He told Starky to “never come near his place again.”

As Rulon Crosy said in his study on Crooked Creek settlers, “They were hospitable to those who deserved hospitality and were willing to fight to preserve that which they had worked hard for.” The pioneering, shooting and rustling that took place on Crooked Creek was typical of frontier cattle-raising areas in America.

Hiram Bischoff of Lovell knew Frank Sykes. Sykes used to come into Lovell with his wagon to get supplies. Several times Sykes would stay overnight in Dad Bischoff’s blacksmith shop. Hiram also used to get plums from Sykes’ place! A Lon Cribbs, former stage driver, claimed Sykes was a “nice man, he wasn’t like a westerner or theses guys that were so rough. He was very quiet….” Frank Sykes died quietly in his cabin, during the early twenties.

**********************



E. Frank Sykes, A Colorful Wyoming Pioneer

Born January 1854 in Michigan; Died August 1921 in Wyoming

Many tales and legends exist about this man who fascinated all who knew him, or knew of him. Several of Wyoming's local historians and journalists have written often about ‟Old Sykes”. Stories have appeared in the Basin (WY) Republican Rustler (October 3, 1941); a book published by Big Mountain Press, Denver, CO in 1966 titled Pioneers of the Big Horn; True Stories of the Yellowtail Country by Bill Scott; an article in the Lovell (WY) Chronicle ca 1968 titled Colorful Characters Who Helped Settle This Area; and an article in the Casper (WY) Star Tribune (May 6, 1979) titled Buffalo graze around old cabin. Eventually another book titled Lovell Our Pioneer Heritage, by Rosa Vida Bischoff Black, was published by Olympus Publishing Co., Salt Lake City, UT, in 1984. The chapter on Frank Sykes in this book is largely a compilation of the stories from each of the other sources, but Mrs. Black included several items not previously recorded, and a picture of Sykes. Now it's my turn to write about him.

I first became aware of this interesting character in 1988 while researching my grandmother's parents, Victor (direct descendant of Richard and Phebe Sikes) and Jessie Mary Elgie Sykes, who were among the first to settle in the Big Horn Basin of Wyoming in the 1890s. Lilas Skovgard was a historian and researcher who lived in Basin, WY. We got to know each other when I sent a query to the local newspaper requesting my grandmother's obituary. Lilas was the lady who responded and became interested in my search for family information. She frequently sent me items she would find in the old newspapers. One day a package arrived with a note from Lilas. It contained many articles and photocopies from the items mentioned above, on Old Frank Sykes, as well as some photographs she had found for me. Lilas said she didn't know if Old Frank was a part of my family or not, but she rightfully thought I would like to have this information.

I studied the articles and stories and extracted all the facts that could be documented. The 1900 census recorded E. F. Sykes and gave the month and year of his birth as Jan 1854, age 46, and the place of birth was Michigan. He was enumerated as a widower, a farmer who could read, write and speak English and who owned his farm free of mortgage. In 1910, the census recorded E. Frank Sykes as a widower born in Michigan with his father being born in Wisconsin and his mother being born in Illinois. He was a 56 year old Stock Ranchman who worked on his own accord and could read and write and owned his farm free of mortgage. In 1920 Franks's age was listed as 65 and only one thing had changed in the enumeration – the birth place of his father was recorded as Pennsylvania. A search of earlier census years, attempting to locate Frank as a young man with his family in Wisconsin, Michigan or Pennsylvania was not successful. This would lend credit to Mrs. Black's statement in her work that Frank came to Wyoming from Canada.

It was believed by those who knew him, that Frank Sykes was raised by the Indians in the upper Michigan country. Mrs. Black wrote, ‟Sykes was a ‛squaw man.' His first Indian wife died in childbirth. The second is believed to have been killed while defending her husband against an Indian brave.” He was described in one account as a big heavy muscled man always wearing buckskin clothes, a handlebar moustache and an old .45 dangling at this hip. He had only one eye the other being lost when a thorn became imbedded in it. Mrs. Black wrote, ‟Sykes was a true frontiersman, short, and powerfully built, who tanned skins for clothing, was never without his six-gun, and was wary of strangers.” She later describes the gun as a single action Colt 44.

The chapter on Frank Sykes in the Pioneers of the Big Horn was written with the personal knowledge of the author and supplemented with information provided by Bess Strong Tillett. Mrs. Tillett was seventy-five and still residing in her original homestead on the head of Crooked Creek at the time of publication of this book. Her homestead was ‟some five or six miles from the old Sykes place. When she was in her teens, she took the job of delivering the mail in that area and in this capacity, she came to know Frank Sykes as well as anyone ever would. When leaving his mail she would often find plums and other goodies with a note saying, ‟For Mail Boy, You eat-um. Heap good.”

Sykes first came into Wyoming in 1875 where he built a cabin in the Paintrock area which lies a few miles east of Greybull and is now the Medicine Lodge State Archaeological Site. A story in the Basin Republican Rustler relates, ‟In the winter of 1882 there were 200 lodges of the Crow Indians camped on Medicine Lodge Creek spending the winter hunting and trapping. They were camped on a ranch then owned by a man named Frank Sykes. He came in here in 1875 and built his cabin.” This story, from the 1941 Basin Republican Rustler stated Sykes was an old man, didn't have much to do with anyone, but was a good friend if he liked you. Sykes would have been 28 years old at that time. The story goes on to describe Sykes as a powerful man with this illustration. ‟At the Lum Williams' ranch one of the saddle horses died. Having no way to move the animal from the barn, we were wondering what to do when Sykes came along and offered to pull it out of the barn. We laughed and Sykes picked up a rope, put it around his neck and under his arm, got down on his hands and knees and pulled the horse from the barn.”

Bill Scott wrote, ‟When Sykes and his wife first showed up in the Crooked Creek country they squatted on a place north of Crooked Creek, and right alongside the road that now leads into the Dryhead country. They were very anti-social and had no close friends.” He goes on to tell that the first knowledge of Sykes was when he sold his homestead up in the Paintrock Country. Having decided to sell the property, Sykes let it be known and the word got around to one of the local fellows who decided he would buy it at the asking price. He talked to Sykes about the place and they decided it was a deal. When the fellow wrote a check, Sykes refused to accept it, saying, ‟If you want this place you can have it for gold. I am not trading it for a piece of paper.” The buyer said, ‟Well, of course I don't have that amount of gold but the check is good.” Sykes reply was, ‟If you want this place you can have it for the price we agreed on, but it will be in gold. Also the price is going up at the rate of $50.00 a day for every day that it takes to get the money here.” Well, it ended by the buyer making a hard drive to Basin City, sending a wire to the mint in Denver and paying Sykes $250.00 more for the five days that it required to get the gold from Denver. Scott stated, ‟This is a typical example of the man Sykes.”

After selling his first cabin, Frank married, at age 34, to 16 year old Minnie Forshee in Shell, Johnson County Territory on March 7, 1888 and built a new cabin about 15 miles northeast of Lovell around 1890. This is the location described in the many stories told about Old Frank and in the photos. Mrs. Black wrote, ‟The cabin, built on high ground, afforded protection from visitors, friendly or otherwise, approaching from any direction.” Sykes Mountain, east of the entrance to Horseshoe Bend, on the Big Horn river, takes its name from this early settler. It was reported that during the time Bess Strong Tillett was delivering mail, she noted Frank was living alone and two graves were subsequently found, side by side, just outside the cabin. Mrs. Sykes apparently gave birth to a baby boy who died not long after and she also died a few days later in 1894. Her husband buried them without telling anyone of the deaths. Because of their fear of the man, no one ever questioned Sykes about the deaths. When Mrs. Tillett had her first son, Sykes made baby shoes for him out of soft hand-tanned leather.

One day an unnamed man rode up to Sykes' mail box and saw a sign, ‟No visitors today. This is Tanning Day.” When he rode on, he found out why. It seems that when Sykes tanned, he wore no clothes.

Bill Scott first met Frank Sykes in 1913. He wrote, ‟I was clerking in the Kane Mercantile. Kidlike, I had decided that I was a pretty snappy clerk and when old Sykes walked over to the drug section he said, ‛I want a half pound of boric acid and a half pound of tannic acid.' Wanting to impress this old boy I cracked back, ‛Mr. Sykes, do you want those in powder or liquid form?' He leaned his elbows on the counter, looked me squarely in the eye, and said, ‛Young feller, you don't know a hell of a lot about drugs, do you?' Well, that took care of my ego for several days.” (Both of these acids are used in the tanning process.)

The story is told of Jim Kelsey, a friend of Bill Scott, and his encounter with Sykes. One blustery fall day Kelsey was riding, looking for cattle, and came to the Sykes place in the afternoon. He thought he might be able to get a cup of coffee and get warmed up a bit before riding on home. When he rode into the yard he just ground reined his horse at a small doodle of hay there in the yard and went on in the house to get warm. Sykes had the coffee pot on the stove and he was also cooking a batch of potatoes for dinner. He used a big iron skillet and cooked in bear's grease. Kelsey didn't like bear's grease even when it was fresh, and this was rancid. When they sat down, Kelsey decided that all he wanted was coffee, but Sykes shoved a plate in front of him and insisted he have some potatoes. He took a few and when he finished the helping Sykes said, ‟Here, have some more spuds.” ‟No!” Kelsey replied. Whereupon Sykes pushed the skillet toward him with one hand and drew his Colt with the other and growled, ‟Go ahead and finish up these spuds because you are going to eat potatoes just like that horse of yours is eating my hay.” While Kelsey ate potatoes until he was sick, Sykes continued to hold his gun on him. Sykes then returned his gun to the holster as Kelsey staggered out to his horse, mounted and headed for home. This experience destroyed Kelsey's taste for potatoes.

Another legend is told about a neighbor who asked Sykes for some young plum trees to start his own orchard. Sykes said he was welcome to take some from the north side of the plum thicket, but to leave the ones on the other side, as they had been set out by Mrs. Sykes. When the neighbor returned with his wagon to get the trees, Sykes was nowhere to be seen and the man, after taking some shoots from the north side of the thicket, decided the best trees were the forbidden area. He decided he could take some of these as well, thinking Sykes would never know. He dug what he wanted, went home, set them out, and began watering them. Early the next morning Sykes rode into the neighbor's yard, threw down an ax and drew his gun. He ordered the man to pull up every tree and cut it into small pieces. When they were cut up Sykes said, ‟Now hand me that ax and don't ever come onto my place again.”

In each of the accounts of Old Frank Sykes, a common theme is that because of his rugged appearance and his aversion to strangers coupled with his frequent use of his firearms, most people feared the man. None-the-less, he did have friends. It was said that when he ate at the home of a friend he would put his gun in the holster and leave it outside the door until he left.

Mrs. Black, in her account of Old Sykes, related that he had made friends of a few individuals on Crooked Creek. He would visit the Allen Lowe family and later Mrs. C. A. Thompson of Lovell, the former Lunita Lowe, recalled her story of Old Sykes. ‟Sykes liked my brother Walter, who was about 15 at that time. I must have been about 12. He knew us and our horses so we didn't get shot at when we rode up unannounced. He scolded me for walking on his blind side, saying he was afraid he'd tromp on me. He told me not to be afraid of the big stick he carried because that was to keep the rattlesnakes from getting us while he helped us pull watercress.” The children were fascinated by his tales of fighting the Indians and he showed them the notches on his gun for the ones he had killed. Sykes often told Walter of the valuables he had stashed in a cave on his property. He never mentioned gold specifically, but used the word ‛valuables'. He told Lowe he had been paid $50,000 in gold for his Tensleep (Paintrock) property.

Old Frank Sykes died alone in his cabin and was found a few days later, by Mr. Lowe, slumped on his bed with his gun belt hanging on the bed post. Friends and neighbors buried him near his cabin with his wife and baby. After his death people searched the caves for his gold. ‟An old trunk was found along with an 1880 sewing machine (which was still usable in 1982), clothing, a 50-foot horsehair rope, a grubbing hoe, and some letters, but no gold. The trunk contained eight or ten sacks of corn which Sykes had evidently intended to plant. Some of the letters portrayed Sykes as a caring, intelligent man. He had a subscription to the ‟New York Times” and had acted as a guide for several people from England.” Neighbors said Sykes' services as a guide and a tanner of hides were often sought.

Finally in June, 1994, the Lovell Chronicle published a story about the Crooked Creek Bogeyman which was a fabrication devised by Joseph H. NeVille and told to his young son as a means of extracting good behavior from the youngster. The Bogeyman story was based on the many legends of Old Frank Sykes. In this article, Sykes was described once again as ‟a mysterious, buckskin clad, one-eyed, cantankerous loner who appeared or disappeared like ‛a phantom made of shadow stuff.' His attempts at family life had three times left him widowed and without children.”

I have no record of a second or third wife as mentioned in these stories, and if they are buried near his cabin, the graves are not marked. Just who was Old Frank Sykes? I believe he was a man who had a strong sense of right and wrong and was at peace with himself, enjoying the life he chose. But, . . . . who were his parents?

Diane Scannell