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Elliott Brighton

by Dixie Brighton Conger, Daughter

Elliott was born Saturday, August 11, 1900 at Diamond, Juab County, Utah, which is now a ghost town. It was located near Eureka, Utah. Elliott was blessed and named in the old Holladay Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints building.

His ancestors were Utah pioneers. His great-grandfather Grow on his mother's side was an architect of the Tabernacle on Temple Square, Salt Lake City. President Brigham Young had a vision of what he wanted and he asked Henry Grow if he thought he could construct such a building. His experience as a bridge builder enabled him to construct the roof with no center support. At the time it was a great engineering feat. He worked on other historic buildings and bridges in Nauvoo and Salt Lake as well.

Elliott’s grandfather and grandmother Brighton settled Brighton, Utah, which now bears their name. They too, were pioneers and they pulled a handcart across the plains in 1886.

Parts of Elliott's early years were spent in Sugarhouse, where he first attended school. He spent his summers at Brighton where he first learned to fish, which was a great pleasure to him throughout his life.

Elliott had much adversity beginning in his youth. His mother died when he was 13. His parents, Elliott and his four brothers and sisters were all packed to go to Brighton to live for the summer. Earlier that evening Elliott had been riding his bike with a friend when they noticed a fire. They climbed on top of a haystack to watch the fire and stayed a long time. When he arrived home, he was reprimanded by his mother for being late and sent to bed. That was the last memory he had of his mother, Josephine, who afterwards went across the street where they lived on 21st South between 11th and 13th East to get something out of the attic of a storage building. They had forgotten the key to the building and a rather plump friend volunteered to climb the ladder and crawl through the small window. She became stuck and Josephine laughed at the sight so hard, she died of a cerebral hemorrhage. The family summoned a doctor from near by, but to no avail. Elliott's Mother died that night. From the time of their Mother's death throughout the rest of their lives, they were never all together again. The family was split up to live with different relatives.

After his mother died, Elliott went to live with his father's brother, Uncle William and Aunt Clara Brighton in Cottonwood, where he helped with the farm chores. Elliott's father, Daniel, worked in the mines as his Scottish ancestors had done before him and could not provide a stable home in which to raise his children. Elliott was mostly on his own at an early age. In his teen years Elliott was not happy living with his uncle and he joined the Navy at the age of 15 or 16. Letters he wrote to his brothers and sisters speak volumes of his feelings of being lonely and homesick. Life was hard for him.

In letters he speaks of traveling to far away lands on the sea while he was enlisted in the Navy. “I have been to California, Jamica, Cuba, West Indies, Port au Prince-Haiti, Fort De France, Panama, Florida, Gulf of Mexico, Norfork Virginia, Baltimore, (England) and North Carolina, but I would rather be home in Utah than any other place I have ever been, but if I ever get home once more I will never want to travel any more.” After the Navy he spent time in North Carolina where he fished for a living before returning to Utah.

In a letter dated March 29, 1919 he said, “I have been to Manteo NC on a fishing trip, but only stayed there two days, the wind blew so hard and the tide run so strong we could not handle our net. Fishing is a tough job, we stay out day and night when it is weather to fish. We can catch more fish at night than of days. We catch lots of man-eating sharks in our nets and all other kinds of sea animals also sea turtles that weigh two and three hundred pounds. I wish you and Papa were here to see us fish. You would enjoy it very much. It is hard work though. I have fished many a days and nights without a bit of sleep and it freezing every drop that flew. I get kind of homesick down here. I certainly would be glad to see all of you, but I just can't save up the money. I just can make enough to pay board bill. Give my love to Papa and all.”

When he returned from North Carolina, he "hopped the rails" and hitchhiked home to Utah.

Elliott was a handsome, well mannered and attractive man, approximately 5 feet 11 inches tall with dark brown hair and piercing blue eyes.

Elliott’s niece, Betty Jo Carter Reiser, described her uncle as follows: “Elliott was a considerate, well mannered, generous and kind man. He was concerned about others’ feelings and needs. He liked jobs done right and was very talented at figuring things out and keeping things in good repair. He never let anything remain broken or run down. He put his heart and soul into quality, cleanliness and skill. He kept up the yard and helped inside as well. He valued people and got along well with them; he was organized and thrifty. He had a particular love and concern for little children. When children would come to visit, he would give them money to buy candy at the store on the corner. He would take them by the hand and guide them across the street and back. He played games and pushed them on the swing. He was dependable and punctual. He exhibited a grateful heart, as he appreciated any little service or kindness that was ever shown him.”

Betty Jo continued, “Another sterling quality Elliott possessed was honesty. He was honest in his dealings with his fellow men. When he was in the furniture business and operated his service stations, people went out of their way to do business with him because they knew he would not misrepresent his products. When Elliott and Julia lived in Mt. Carmel and ran a service station, a woman named Mable Mink left her purse in the rest room. Elliott went out of his way to return her purse and the woman was so surprised and pleased, they became good friends and corresponded the rest of their lives. He was honest with his employers. He gave an honest day’s work, plus he was a good, hard worker. Elliott had many wonderful qualities.”

Julia and Elliott hosted relatives and friends in their home where if someone came to visit, they always offered them something to eat. Betty Jo wrote, “Aunt Julia and Uncle Elliott’s home was always open to everyone, not only members of the family, but to neighbor children and strangers as well. When General Conference was on, their home was always the meeting place for all the relatives from out-of-town. If ever anyone needed help or assistance, they would come to Uncle Elliott and know that he would be willing to help them. Marvell Hirschi, a niece, stayed with them while she went to business school in Salt Lake City. Julia’s cousin, Gertrude, stayed with them and another cousin, Evelyn Pugsley Monson and her husband, Frank Monson, lived with them after they were first married. As couples, they had the highest regard for each other.”

At times throughout their life together Elliott owned two second hand furniture stores, owned two service stations, one in Mt. Carmel. Elliott worked in construction of highways, dams and other projects. On construction sites he drove caterpillars, cranes and all sort of heavy equipment. People looked up to him and respected him for his integrity on the job. He belonged to the Construction Workers Union. Elliott and Julia lived in hard times and lived by the motto, “keep it up, make it do, or do without.” Their savings were at risk during the Depression. Julia wrote a letter to her parents expressing concern over the possibility of losing their small savings. Their income from construction work was difficult to predict and especially caused anxiety in winter with no income. In a letter Julia wrote to Gertrude Felhman, she said, “Elliott is still working. His job isn't very promising. May get laid off most any day. This no work in the winter gets me...a person is afraid to spend anything.”

Julia and Elliott tried for many years to have a baby. Julia wrote a letter and sent a gift to her niece, Gertrude Felhman, as she gave birth in1938. In the letter Julia said how happy she was for Gertrude and how she wished she could have children too. “I am sending you a little remembrance, hope it’s what you want. There will be a lot of cute things to buy for a little girl. Aren't you thrilled? I'd sure give plenty if it was ours. But guess we may as well give up hope.” This was after six childless years. Julia had one miscarriage some years later. However, in 1945, 13 years after their marriage, they had their first and only child, a little daughter they named Dixie Louise. Julia's mother, Louise had died the year before Dixie was born, and Julia always felt her mother had something to do with sending her a baby. Little did Julia realize, at the time, her life would be cut short to raise this child for whom she'd waited so long.

Julia’s niece, Betty Jo Carter Reiser wrote, “Dixie's birth was pure joy. How she (Julia) cried with happiness at the wonderful blessing coming to her. It was a lesson to us all what can happen if we have faith and pray. It was surely an answer to prayers. I shall never forget how excited and happy Aunt Julia was when she found she was going to have a baby. How overjoyed and delighted she was when she delivered her darling, beautiful little daughter. What fun she had dressing and caring for Dixie. No child ever had a cuter, more attractive wardrobe. I remember especially the darling white fur coat and hat.”

Elliott and Julia were living at the time in a duplex at 208 West 5th North, Salt Lake City where they rented out one side and lived in the east apartment.

They moved in 1950 to Sugarhouse, Utah, at 2508 Douglas Street to another duplex. They lived there as a family until 1955. Julia and Elliott quit claim deeded their duplex to their daughter, Dixie. This was an example of the generous nature and loving concern Elliott showed to his daughter, Dixie. This proved to be a great financial blessing to Dixie when she married and lived there three years as she and her husband, Reed Conger, attended school at the University of Utah. Elliott was proud of Dixie and Reed and their accomplishments. Elliott’s generous nature provided a way for them to get through school and begin a business, even when Elliott, himself, was in need.

Julia accepted calls to serve in various positions in church as a Sunday School teacher and worked in the Primary. Julia also served as a Stake Missionary in the Salt Lake Stake of Zion in 1938. She served as a counselor in the Relief Society of the Highland Park Ward. She had a strong testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints. Even though Elliott did not attend church with her in their later years, he supported her desires to go and take their daughter.

After Dixie was born, Julia worked only on Saturdays as a beautician in the ZCMI Beauty Salon. Dixie remembers the fun times she had going to work with her mother. She spending the day in downtown Salt Lake by watching a movie, visiting with people in the store who knew her mother, window shopping and getting her hair done. Dixie loved this day of independence and valued the confidence that her parents had in her. Life was safe on the streets of Salt Lake City in the 50's. Family and friends often came to Julia’s home to get their hair done. Julia enjoyed socializing with the other beauty operators in the salon, at their homes, or in social settings. Julia loved to entertain family and friends in her home for showers and parties.

About 1952, Julia began to notice weakness in her legs. She noticed difficulty walking, climbing stairs and standing. As her condition worsened she had to resort to using a cane and later became bedridden.

A page from Elder Harold B. Lee’s journal reports he “...gave a blessing to Betty Jo’s Aunt Julia Brighton because of a terrible disease.” Betty Jo was present at the blessing in President Lee’s home and afterwards Betty Jo wrote down some things she could remember from the blessing. Elder Lee said in part. “I bless you with faith and peace of mind. Sister Brighton, you have set an example for those who are surrounding you...no heartache, trial or sorrow you experience will go unnoticed by our Heavenly Father...I bless you from the top of your head to the soles of your feet. I bless every part of your body that your muscles, tissues and fibers will function properly and there will be connection of nerves...I bless you that if you are faithful, you will receive a crown of glory.”

Julia's sister, Tina Kunzler Morris, went to SLC to help Julia in March 1955. Julia wrote to Seletta Morris Pitcher, Tina's daughter saying, “I am lucky to have your Mother here with me the past two weeks. Don't know what I'll do when she leaves. She is spoiling me, waiting on me hand and foot, sure an angel to help people out. I am still a mess, just don't know when I'll ever get better. Tell me why did I have to get such a thing? No, these darn doctors still don't agree on what I have. Harrow says it's chronic polio and Hamer says it's amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gerhig’s disease) so does one or two of the others. Polio insurance hasn't agreed to pay so guess I have to go on my own.”

As Julia's condition became more severe, Aunt Tina and Uncle Ray volunteered to take care of Julia in their home in Rosette, while her other sister, Emma, took care of Dixie in Park Valley. Julia soon became bedridden and needed to be carried to and from the bathroom. Elliott visited her often. Dixie would ride the school bus from Park Valley to Rosette to see her mother. Elliott was with her the night she died in Tina and Ray Morris' home. Dixie remembers having slept overnight at her Aunt Tina's home, being awakened in the morning and walking downstairs into the kitchen which was filled with relatives. She knew before they told her that her mother had died during the night. Julia died August 17, 1955 at the age of 53. She died at Tina and Ray Morris' home in Rosette. Her death certificate read cause of death, amyotrophic sclerosis.

Tina stayed in Salt Lake two or three months and all the time, Julia was becoming more weak. Tina took Julia home with her so her husband, Ray, could help with Julia’s care. Tina wrote in her history, “I did everything to help her. Each night and morning I exercised her, bathed, rubbed and fed her. When I put her to bed at night she had to stay until I came and changed her position. It was very hard to finally see her slip away and I could not do any more for her.”

Elliott sought help for Julia from doctors, hospitals, dieticians, and clinics throughout the country. The California Rehabilitation Center returned correspondence saying, “...But if it is amyotrophic lateral sclerosis then I do not personally recommend treatment at a rehabilitation center and must add that so far as I know no curative treatment is available.” The Multiple Sclerosis Clinic in Tacoma, Washington both wrote back, “Because of the debilitating effects of travel on patients, we discourage them from making the trip here and advise that they have their own doctors get in touch with us as to the simplified method we presently recommend for treating amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.”

Julia went to the hospital for two days in February of 1955. It was interesting to note the price of a hospital room was $14 per day, lab service $4.00 and x-ray $39.00, pharmacy $1.00.

The following is a letter from Elliott to Julia postmarked July 30, 1955, less than a month before she died.

“My Dear Wife, I am always thinking of you and praying that you will get well. How such a terrible misfortune should come on us, I cannot understand. If it were me instead of you, then I would know that there was a reason, but you know and all who know you, that you are one of the choicest of all women. You have many friends who are praying for you day after day. Why has it happened to be you? My heart aches for you and Dixie. I love you both with all my heart and soul.”

“I want you to know I am not drinking and hope that I never will again. I try my best to content myself and since I have quit drinking I feel much more at peace. I will always be in debt to Tina and Ray and Emma and Laurence and many more. I love you dearly.”

Gertrude Cobia Felhman said, “When your Mother got her terminal disease, she knew her destiny was near and we all prayed hard for her that she would get well. Above all she didn't want to leave her darling daughter for someone else to raise. But I guess it was the Lord's will. She cried oh so much, bless her. She was brave. She wrote you letters and her own funeral services–such a brave and beautiful soul–true blue. We all loved her so very much. You have a great Mother to be proud of. I'm so glad that you were raised in a family that loved you so much and considered you as one of their family.”

Her funeral was held in the Park Valley Ward chapel and she was buried in the Park Valley cemetery. A missionary companion of Julia's, Claudine Davenport, was asked to speak at her funeral. In a letter to Dixie, Claudine recalled worrying about what to say, “I spent a lot of time thinking about it and I prayed about it. Then, a couple of days before the funeral, I lay on my bed and somewhat desperately I said aloud, ‘Julia, what would you have me say to your little girl?' As clearly in my mind as if the words had been spoken to me, I heard, ‘Tell her you know how much I love her. Tell her that she must always be righteous and good so that she will be worthy to come to me. I will be watching over her and waiting for her.’ I knew I would have said that in my talk, but what she said next, I did not know nor even think about until she said, ‘Tell her not to worry about me. Tell her that I am fine and I am going to be a queen.’ That was her message to her little girl she had to leave for others to take care of. You were fortunate to have two wonderful aunts to help you. Love, Claudine”

Dixie recalls her feelings at the time of her mother’s death. “The feelings I had at the time of Mother’s death are difficult to express, and only someone who has lost their mother at an early age can understand. When I was younger, I wondered why my mother had not talked to me more to prepare me for her death, but after my personal association in later years with a woman who had the same disease, I now understand the disease affects a person’s speech and this made it difficult for her to communicate with me. During the years of my mother’s disease, a neighbor continued to build my faith by telling me she knew Mother would get well. Because of her, I believed she would, but Heavenly Father had different plans. Little did I understand then the Plan of Salvation and the role of the Lord’s will in our lives. I was devastated when Mother died, but I learned the greatest lesson of all–to place Father’s will above my own. I know my mother is in a better place than this world offers. In his journal, Heber J. Grant, spoke of his mother, ‘Her great faith, which to me has seemed absolute, has been a strength and stay to me all my life.’ (His mother died when he was young). Likewise, I gained strength throughout my life from the great faith and example of my mother.”

Julia’s whole life was devoted to her family, her Church and good causes. Throughout Julia's life she loved Elliott in sickness and in health. Elliott had an illness too–alcoholism. Elliott was able to overcome his addition long enough to be married in the Temple, but in time he took up drinking and smoking again. Julia often quoted the scripture, “And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!” Doctrine and Covenants / Section 18:15 She devoted her life to that end. A good woman makes a man better, and Elliott was a better person because of her love. Elliott continuously struggled to overcome his lifelong addiction to alcohol. He tried many many times and in many ways to stop drinking. Elliott’s alcoholism made life almost unbearable at times for him and his family.

At Elliott’s funeral, Betty Jo Reiser said, “Some people were free with their criticism of Uncle Elliott because of some of his problems. But no one is free from faults. Each one of us has our shortcomings and if our shortcomings had a characteristic odor, we wouldn’t be able to hide our various defects. We would perhaps learn to be more tolerant and understanding of others. When people in the Bible brought the woman who had sinned to Jesus, he said, ‘Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.’ The crowd gradually melted away. Every one of us has problems, weaknesses, and imperfections and we need to examine our own lives and see where we can do better. In one of our hymns it says, ‘Judge not that ye be not judged, was the counsel Jesus gave. Measure given large or grudged, just the same you must receive.’ Jesus didn’t want us to judge one another. He wanted us to look for the good qualities and strengthen one another. Peter, in the Bible, asked, ‘Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.” Bible / Matthew 18:22 We must remember to be forgiving of one another. Elliott had problems with which he wrestled, but he had many good, fine qualities.”

Elliott showed love and concern and unselfish devotion to his little girl when he arranged for her to live with Emma and Laurence Carter in a home where she could have the nurture of a good woman. She became a wonderful mother substitute for Dixie. Their home in Park Valley was a marvelous place to raise children in a Gospel centered home and community.

Betty Jo stated, “After Aunt Julia passed away Uncle Elliott realized that Dixie needed the stability of a home where there were both a mother and a father. It would have been easy to rationalize and decide that he could rear Dixie alone because she was all he had and he loved her dearly. However, he realized that this would not be best for Dixie and so he made the sacrifice and let her live with Mother and Daddy. We will always be grateful to him for this because she has brought so much joy and happiness into our lives. She is just like a sister to all of us.”

After Julia died, Elliott was lonely. He and Dixie took several trips together, first to North Carolina, where they visited his old friends from his youth and where he spent time fishing for a living. They also traveled to a new amusement park in California named Disneyland. They traveled to Washington, visiting relatives and historical sites. They also visited Elliott’s sister, Eva and Frank Tidwell, in Smithfield, Gertrude and Charles Felhman in Logan, and Doris and Jack Thompson in Providence. Even though Elliott enjoyed visiting, he believed a short visit was a good visit.

Elliott saw his daughter, Dixie, in Park Valley many times and they always visited Julia's grave where they knelt beside the headstone and took turns praying. Elliott kept the grave site looking nice by planting bulbs and pulling weeds. Julia was his sweetheart and even though he remarried several times, Julia was most dear to his heart.

Elliott married Irene Wagner, May 18, 1957. Their marriage ended in divorce. Elliott married Florence Miles, October 15, 1959. She was a wonderful woman who was remarkably patient and loving to him and Dixie. She looked after their needs in thoughtful, kind ways. They were later divorced in 1967, but remained close friends, even after Florence remarried Al Steinke. Florence was a loving grandmother to Reed and Dixie's children. Elliott retired from construction in the 60's. He had several heart attacks. Elliott died alone in his small apartment October 4, 1970 in Salt Lake City and was buried in Park Valley next to his dear wife, Julia. At the time of his death he had one grandchild, Todd Reed Conger, whom he loved with all his heart.

Analog by Dixie:

It’s been a heartfelt journey to attempt writing this history of my mother and father. I learned more about them and about myself as well. I learned more about the loving, close relationship my mother had with her parents, her brothers and sisters. I am amazed at how hard they worked to sustain life. I learned how much Grandmother and Grandfather Kunzler and their family relied on the Lord and sacrificed the affection of the world for their faith and dedication to the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. My family and I are the benefactors of their sacrifices. This thought acknowledges a debt I owe.

“It is good to look to the past to gain appreciation for

the present and perspective for the future.

It is good to look upon the virtues of those who

have gone before, to gain strength for whatever

lies ahead. It is good to reflect upon the

work of those who labored so hard and gained so little

in this world, but out of whose dreams and early plans,

so well nurtured, has come a great harvest of which

we are the beneficiaries. Their tremendous example

can become a compelling motivation for us all,

for each of us is a pioneer in his own life.”

–President Gordon B. Hinckley

I recognize my many blessings by way of birth into the Kunzler family. They were men and women who were obedient to the teachings of Jesus Christ, who had unshakable testimonies of His divinity and who lived righteous lives. Uncle Laurence always told me the Kunzlers had royal blood, and through learning more about Grandma and Grandpa Kunzler, I can now see what he meant. They were extraordinarily righteous and spiritually privileged in sacred ways. This knowledge encourages me to live up to the legacy they left, for I have within me, as do my descendants, the same blood. The Kunzlers left a family birthright to us, their progenitors, who can lay hold on the same strength of character they possessed. It is our challenge to choose to live as worthily as did our ancestors.

From the Book of Mormon, I concur with Helaman who taught his sons, Nephi and Lehi “Their names invite them to pattern their lives after their forebears ...when you remember your names ye may remember them (your ancestors); and when ye remember them ye may remember their works; and when ye remember their works ye may know how it is said, and also written, that they were good.” Book of Mormon Helaman 5:6 I feel God has blessed us similarly.

“Mother and Father had a difficult life, but in it they discovered joy along the way. Mother taught me to stand up for my own moral convictions. I admire her determination to live life according to her faith. People who knew her said she never complained and kept her troubles to herself. I know trials refine us and change us into gold. In my eyes, Mother wore a golden crown. In reality, trials are a blessing. That's the only sense I can make of why my mother, who was so faithful, had so many trials. Someday we shall understand more fully. When my father was not drinking, he was a wonderful, kindhearted man and I love him and my mother with all my heart. As a child I always felt loved and treasured by my parents — a great blessing for any child. After my mother died I was most fortunate live with my Aunt Emma and Uncle Laurence. Aunt Emma was like a second mother to me. I am so grateful to have been accepted into Aunt Emma and Uncle Laurence’s family and I feel loved and strengthened by the example of all my cousins and my aunts and uncles. My heart is full of gratitude to my Heavenly Father for an angel mother and father who loved and nurtured me in this life and from beyond the veil.” Dixie

Analog by Dixie:

“It is good to look to the past to gain appreciation for

the present and perspective for the future.

It is good to look upon the virtues of those who

have gone before, to gain strength for whatever

lies ahead. It is good to reflect upon the

work of those who labored so hard and gained so little

in this world, but out of whose dreams and early plans,

so well nurtured, has come a great harvest of which

we are the beneficiaries. Their tremendous example

can become a compelling motivation for us all,

for each of us is a pioneer in his own life.”

–President Gordon B. Hinckley

“Mother and Father had a difficult life, but in it they discovered joy along the way. Mother taught me to stand up for my own moral convictions. I admire her determination to live life according to her faith. People who knew her said she never complained and kept her troubles to herself. I know trials refine us and change us into gold. In my eyes, Mother wore a golden crown. In reality, trials are a blessing. That's the only sense I can make of why my mother, who was so faithful, had so many trials. Someday we shall understand more fully. When my father was not drinking, he was a wonderful, kindhearted man and I love him and my mother with all my heart. As a child I always felt loved and treasured by my parents--a great blessing for any child. After my mother died I was most fortunate live with my Aunt Emma and Uncle Laurence. Aunt Emma was like a second mother to me. I am so grateful to have been accepted into Aunt Emma and Uncle Laurence’s family and I feel loved and strengthened by the example of all my cousins and my aunts and uncles. My heart is full of gratitude to my Heavenly Father for an angel mother and father who loved and nurtured me in this life and from beyond the veil.” Dixie