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John Corless
John Corless was the son of Edward Corless and Catherine Stephenson. Corless, born in Langton, Lancaster, England on the 12th day of January 1833. He had five brothers and three sisters, all of his sisters died when they were babies except one and she died while a young girl. His parents were honest, thrifty people and were making a comfortable living in England. His father loved horses and owned some very valuable ones. There people were a charitable couple, willing to share with others who were in need.
Two Mormon elders called at their home asking for a place to spend the night and something to eat. They were invited in and made welcome. Edward Corless had heard much talk about America and so became interested in these two Americans. They told all about America and what wonderful opportunities there were in this blessed land, finally telling of their religion and the despised Mormons. These people had heard the wild stories and bad things about this new religion so were very pleased to hear the real truth, which impressed Edward very much. Edward and his wife wanted to hear more about Mormonism so they attended the street meetings inviting the Elders to their home to explain the truths.
After investigating Mormonism and comparing it with the Methodist religion, the church to which they belonged, they were converted. At this time anyone joining the Mormon religion was hated, mobbed and sometimes even put to death. After prayer and study they were baptized and became outcasts from friends and relatives who treated them very cruel. Soon the spirit of gathering took possession of them and they began to make plans to come to Zion. When the next group of Saints came to America, they with their six children, were with them.
John was a small boy about 7 or 8. He and his other brothers hated to part with their friends and playmates, grandfathers and grandmothers, but thought what a wonderful thing it would be to cross the Atlantic Ocean on a sailboat that would take six weeks to make the trip to that wonderful land called America.
They arrived in America in the year 1839 or 1840, settling in Nauvoo, the Beautiful. Their home was not far from that of the Prophet Joseph's. John and William often told us about seeing the Prophet and his brother Hyrum and about herding the Prophet's cows and as boys, playing with Joseph F. Smith, the son of Hyrum. He remembered hearing the Prophet preach many times. One thing the Prophet said which always stayed with his was "Always be good to the poor and try to help them." Also, he remembered the excitement among the people when the mob came after Joseph and Hyrum.
John went with his father to see Joseph and Hyrum as they lay in state after they were brought from the Carthage jail, and they attended their funerals. He was with his father and mother at the meeting in the temple when they were trying to decide who was to take the Prophet's place and hearing his mother and others say when Brigham Young arose and began to speak, "Oh, it's Joseph himself!" This was when the mantle of Joseph fell on Brigham Young, and the people were shown that Brigham Young was to be their leader.
When the Saints were driven from Nauvoo, they were with them. They sold what they could of their property and had to leave the rest. They had two wagons and yokes of oxen, and John and his brothers, Thomas and Edward, had to take turns driving one team. They went through hardships in crossing the plains, reaching the Salt Lake valley in September, 1848, tired and weary but glad to find a place to rest.
John's father bought land, and with the help of his good wife and boys, they soon began to build a log cabin. They made their living by farming and raising cattle and helping to cultivate this barren country. These boys had to learn to do hard work and to be brave, and to accept the hardships of pioneer life.
When John was about 19 or 20, he was called by the church authorities to go back to Nauvoo and Winter Quarters to help drive teams to bring back saints who were there waiting to come to Salt Lake. He made several similar trips. He was a strong young man, fearing no danger, and he loved the great out-of-doors. He was of a jovial nature and always saw the humorous side of things. He would laugh and tell many funny stories of different things that happened on these trips, one of which I will try to relate.
He said he was in the company with Erastus Snow, their leader, and when they arrived at Nauvoo, Brother Snow left him in charge of 10 span of horses, saying that the horses must be shod and rested in order to get ready to start the journey back across the plains. However, he didn't leave him any money with which to pay the bill. John remembered an old blacksmith who had been a friend of his father's, who was a friend to the Mormons, but not a Mormon himself. So he called on this man and told him that Brother Snow would pay for the shoes. John told him in a jovial way that it was his duty to do this and that if he did, the Lord would bless him. The old man shook his head, but John kept on talking, and when Brother Snow returned, the horses were all shod and ready to start the journey. He asked, "Where did you get the money?" John replied, "I just convinced the blacksmith that it was his duty to do the work free if he wanted to get rid of the Mormons." They had many good laughs as a result of this episode.
John like other boys, loved to dance and attended the dances and parties that the LDS church scheduled for ward members. At one of these parties, he met a shy, beautiful young girl who was about fifteen. She had blue eyes and golden hair, and she reminded him of his little sister who had died. She, too, had come from England and crossed the plains with her people for the sake of the gospel. Her name was Dorothy Knox. He fell in love with this lovely girl, keeping company with her for some time. They were married on February 11, 1862 in the 4th ward in Salt Lake City, Utah. John's father gave them a building lot on 7th South and Main Street. Here they built their first home, which was a one-room log house with a fireplace in one end and homemade furniture, like the other pioneer families had.
They were very happy in this humble home and appreciated and enjoyed everything with which the Lord blessed them. Dorothy was a good housekeeper, so the home was always neat and clean. She was a good seamstress, had a fair education, which proved to be a great blessing. While this couple lived in this home, they were blessed with four children, namely: Elizabeth Jane, John Jr., Dorothy, and Katherine.In the year 1871, they received a call to come and help settle Randolph, Utah. John and his brother, William, who were very close to each other, came with their teams and wagons leaving their families in Salt Lake as Dorothy was not well. They bought land side by side and built each of them a log house. John had a very fine team of horses, and he hadn't been in Randolph very long before one of them was stolen by the Indians. In the fall, they returned to Salt Lake for their families.
Dorothy was very anxious to know what kind of a place would be her new home. She asked if there were any trees, and John laughingly said, "You are going to live right in the timber." Dorothy, John, and their family bid good-bye to all they held dear and started on their journey, going as far as Henefer, Utah, where they spent the winter. At Henefer, Dorothy gave birth to her 4th girl whom they named Alice. In May of 1872, they started for Randolph and after 4 or 5 days of hard travel and sleeping on the hard ground at night, and all the time fearing Indians, they arrived at Randolph. How disappointed Dorothy was to find that the beautiful trees she expected to see were huge sagebrush. The children were afraid to leave the house for fear of getting lost in the timber, as they called it. The Indians gave them trouble and they were naturally afraid, but they had been called by the leaders of the church to come
John had a big job before him to make a living for his family and to clear the land of sagebrush, to help build the canals and ditches, and to get the water on the land so it could be cultivated. This was a hard land to subdue, but these sturdy pioneers stayed with their challenge. John was a hardworking man. When he wasn't working on his land, he went to the canyons and got out logs to cut ties for the railroad. He loved the timbers and did much work cutting down trees for lumber.
On one occasion, he went to the canyon alone and almost lost his life. A tree that he was chopping fell the wrong way, striking him and pinning him to the ground, breaking several of his ribs and his collar bone. He became unconscious and lay there in this condition for a day and a half, and at night he was found by a group of men who were searching for him. Another time, this being July 2, 1879, he and his brother, William, had driven their logs to the single mill of Howard and Harper located on Little Creek one block east of Main Street on Canyon road. They unloaded their logs and William had driven his team out and John was also driving his team out when the boiler exploded, killing two men and one boy and just missing John by a few inches.
John also made adobes out of clay that was found east of town in the hay field. These adobes were used to build houses. He had some milk cows and stock cattle, also some pigs and chickens. He had some hay land, and on the lots about his home, he raised a vegetable garden and oats to feed his horses. There was a creek running through his lot and on the northeast corner of the block he had built his house and south of the creek he built his corrals. His brother, William, built his corrals adjoining John's, and his house on the southeast corner of the block. These two brothers loved each other dearly. They worked and played together and lived side by side all the days of their lives.
In 1872, John married a second wife, Mary Anne Knox, a sister to Dorothy. These two sisters were very different in their nature. Dorothy was a very quiet and reserved person while Mary Ann was the reverse. They always got along very well, however. They all lived together for awhile, and then a two-room house was built for Mary Ann or "Aunt Polly" as she was know to everyone. These houses were a half a block apart. Polly came over every day to see Dorothy, but Dorothy seldom left her home to visit. However, if there was sickness, Dorothy always went to help others.
To Dorothy and John were born 13 children, 4 boys and 9 girls, whose names are as follows: Elizabeth Jane, John Jr., Dorothy, Katherine, Alice, Annie Margaret, Hannah, Charlet Etta, William Thomas, Amy Matilda, Richard, Bert, Bertha, and Lawrence.
To Mary Ann and John were born 9 children, 3 boys and 6 girls, whose names are as follows: Edward William, Sarah Ellen, Mary Ann May, Emma Josephine, Rosanna, Elizabeth Vilate, Robert, Hazel, and Clifford Thomas.John was the father of 22 children, and with the exception of 4, they all grew to manhood and womanhood. These children knew what the hardships of pioneer life meant, and they all learned to work and to help make the living as they grew up. Just think how many pairs of shoes were needed for this family. If they each had only one pair a year that would be 25 pair.
These children were taught to be honest, trustworthy, and thrifty. They were taught the principles of the gospel as far as their parents knew and understood them. Their schooling was another problem. Public schools were not available, but each winter there would be a private school held for six to eight weeks. The tuition for each child would be paid for with wood, flour, meat, vegetables, or anything they had to exchange. So if the children were educated, they must be taught at home. Dorothy had a fine education, so it was her work to teach the children and she saw to it that they all learned to read and write, and to do arithmetic. She taught them to spell and one of their pastimes in the evenings was a spelling match. The children came from all around to join in these pastimes, and all of them became very good spellers. Dorothy also taught the girls to sew and to knit. There were no sewing machines so all the clothing had to be made by hand, and all the stockings had to be knit. There were no washing machines, but the washing was done on the scrub boards. The children who were born in the later years had the opportunity of attending the public school and enjoyed many more of the comforts of life.
John wasn't much of a church worker, but he did all he could to help the church and to build the community. He was public minded and wanted to see the town grow. He was strictly honest, his nickname was "Honest John." He was honest in his work, always paying his bills, and when he made a promise, he always kept it.
He was a loving father and was loved by his children. They always celebrated his birthday (January 12th) by having a party for his family and friends. If the girls hadn't told Dorothy they were having the party, she would go over to her oldest daughter's house, who lived just across the street from them and say to her, "I've come over to remind you that your father's birthday is coming soon, and he will be disappointed if you don't have a party for him." He lived with both Dorothy and Mary Ann until the Manifesto was enforced, and then he chose to live with Dorothy, always being mindful of Mary Ann and doing all he
As the years passed, the children grew up and married. Some remained in Randolph and others went away to make their homes. In 1902, there was considerable excitement about the wonderful opportunities for young men in Canada. The moving fever hit John's two oldest sons, John Jr. (or Jack as he was called), and Edward William. John was married and had 5 children. He was the foreman of the Beckwith and Quinn Ranch and had held this position for many years. He was the son of John and Dorothy. Edward William (known as Ed) was the son of John and Mary Ann. He was unmarried, and returned after a year in Canada marrying Mary Nicholls and taking her to Canada to make their home in Raymond.
It was very hard for John and his wives to part with their two oldest sons. Canada seemed so far away, and they thought surely they would never see them again. Arriving in Canada, they began to look for work and Jack was made foreman for the Knight Sugar Company Ranches and Ed went to work for another company. Letters came often from them, which helped their parents very much.
On January 15, 1911, a telegram came from Raymond, Canada, telling them of the death of their son, John Jr. What a shock that was to his parents and all. There was no time to waste if they were to arrive in time for the funeral. They must soon be on their way. They had little money and what a long, cold trip for two people of their age to make. Their children and grandchildren came, and it was decided that they would go. Annie Corless, a cousin's wife, was a very dear friend to Annie Kennedy Corless, John Jr.'s wife. She came and said that she would like to go with them, and of course they were very happy to have her make the trip with them. Within three hours, they were packed and ready to start that long trip. The weather was very cold and the snow was deep. They went by team and sleigh to Sage, Wyoming, taking the train from their to Canada. They were met by Ed and his wife, taken by team and sleigh to the home of John Jr. What a meeting! It made the wife and children so happy to have their father's people come to them in their hour of need.
After the funeral, John was interviewed by the news reporter and in the clipping from the paper it stated: "Edward Corless and family, the father of John, emigrated from Preston, Lancashire, England, to Nauvoo in the early 40's when John was a small boy. He stated that he remembered the prophet Joseph Smith very well, and heard him speak and saw him and his brother Hyrum as they lay in state in Nauvoo after they had been brought from the Carthage Jail." They visited with their children and grandchildren in Canada for a few days before returning home. John and Dorothy were always glad they made that trip.On February 11, 1912, John and Dorothy celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary. This party was given them by their children, and it was held in the Ward Recreation Hall at Randolph. Their 11 living children and their mates, grandchildren and great grandchildren were present.
John loved to talk to people, and he always spoke to every child he met. When people called at his home, he always took time to sit down and chat with them. He never missed the Old Folks Party which was held each year in the Randolph ward, and he enjoyed these parties very much.I remember him bearing his testimony at one of the last parties he attended. He was then past 90 years old. When they were having their program, he was called on to speak. They all expected him to tell a joke or something comical, as he was always full of fun. Instead, he bore his testimony, as follows: "I am not much of a speaker, but I do know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and gave his life for the gospel, and also his brother Hyrum. I heard Joseph speak on many occasions, and I remember him saying, 'Always be good to the poor' and that is one thing I have tried to do. I saw them as they lay in state after they had been martyred at Carthage Jail. Our families attended their funeral.
I remember going with my parents when Brigham Young came in and started to speak. I remember hearing my mother and others say, 'Look, it's the Prophet Joseph himself!' That is when the cloak of Joseph fell on Brigham Young and those present know that he was the right man. I haven't lived as good a life as I should, but I do know that this is the true gospel of Jesus Christ. Amen."
When the first World War broke out, his youngest son, Lawrence, was called to go fight for his country. This worried John and Dorothy very much, and John became ill and wasn't expected to live. Dr. Reay said it was just old age. He was bedfast for nine months. His daughters and granddaughters took turns caring for him. He got better and lived for several years, enjoying life. He was always ready for new experiences. John loved to read and did much of it. He had read about airplanes and was very anxious to see one. one day one of those small planes landed in the field east of his home. People were going down to see it, and it was causing much excitement. Ernest Corless, a grandson of his brother William, came along in his car, stopped and said, "Hello, John, come and go with me to see the airplane."
So, he and Dorothy went. The pilot was trying to get people to take a short ride for $5.00 a ticket. The ride lasted for 5 to 10 minutes. No offered to go. Ernest said, "I'll pay your ticket, John, if you will go with me." So he and John took the first ride. He said it was a thrilling experience. He had traveled by sailing vessel, ox team, horse and wagon, horse and buggy, train, car, and now by airplane. He was in his 90th year when he took this ride.John always walked to town to do the shopping and get the mail, a distance of eight blocks. He enjoyed talking to those he met on the way. He was never idle as long as he was able to work. He had a garden, and he could be seen chopping wood early and late.
He and his brother, William were dear to each other; never missing a day without seeing each other and visiting for awhile. It was very amusing to listen to them talk. William was a little hard of hearing in his later life, and when he talked to John he talked so low and John would be talking so loud to make William hear.
John was very independent and always wanted to do for himself. His mind remained clear and he kept up with the times. He knew everyone and always inquired about the things that they were doing, as if he were a younger man.
He took a stroke a few weeks before his death, but he was not bedfast. He died November 14, 1924, leaving his two wives, Dorothy and Mary Ann, and 16 children and many great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren, and many relatives and friends. His funeral services were held November 18, 1924, and he was buried in the Randolph cemetery.
Additional Information (some repeated)
John Corless saw the mob take the Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum to the Carthage Jail and attended the funeral, remembering well how sad the people were. John was the son of Edward and Catherine Stephensen Corless. He was born January 12, 1883, in Langton, Lancastershire, England. The Corless family came to Salt Lake with the 1848 saints. John married Dorothy Knox, February 11, 1862, and ten years later he married a plural wife Mary Ann Knox (a sister). They were the daughters of William and Elizabeth Twedell Knox. Dorothy was born in Durham, England, and Mary Ann in St. Louis, Missouri.
John and William brought their families to Randolph, bought lots side by side and built log cabins for them. The little log cabin is still standing today. The apple tree that Dorothy planted from seed is in front of the cabin, and if the season is not too severe it still bear apples. John hauled logs from the canyon and had many experiences. Once a tree fell on him, breaking his collar bone and some ribs. He lay unconscious until the next day when a group of men found him. Another time John and William had just unloaded their logs and were pulling away from the shingle mill, when the boiler exploded, killing a man and a boy. The Corlesses narrowly escaped.
John and Dorothy were the parents of 13 children.
Elizabeth married Thomas Wilson, John married Annie Kennedy, Dorothy married Matthew Kennedy, Katherine married Richard Jackson, Margaret Annie married Joseph Harris, Alice married Frank Snowball, Charlotte Etta married George A. Peart, Hannah married Samuel R. South, Thomas William married Sarah Reeves, Bert and Amy Matilda did not marry, Bertha married Carl Mills Lawrence married Goldie Conley.
His plural wife Mary Ann had nine children making John the father of 22 children. John and Dorothy celebrated their Golden Wedding and also their 60th wedding anniversary.
At the age of 90 years John took his first ride in an airplane saying it was the thrill of his life. He lived to be 93 years and 11 months old.
Polly Corless Always there to help in time of need or sorrow was Polly Corless. When a mother was in need of help they would hurry to get "Aunt Polly," who would take care of the children, tidy up and cook the meals. "Aunt Polly" was Mary Ann Knox Corless. She was born in St. Louis, Missouri, April 9, 1855, a daughter of William and Elizabeth Knox. The Knox family left their homeland in 1849, but did not arrive in Salt Lake until September 3, 1855.
When Mary Ann grew up she worked in the home of Brigham Young in the Bee Hive House. She married John Corless as a second wife in the endowment house in Salt Lake City. She worked very hard to support her large family of nine children. She loved flowers and always had her windows
Children loved to go to Aunt Polly's. She was always friendly and made them a special treat of scones, not just bread dough scones, but the real buttermilk ones which were excellent with her luscious raspberry jam. Her children were: Edward, Sarah Ellen, Mary Ann, Emma Josephine, Rosanna, Vilate Elizabeth, Robert, Hazel Corless Hendee, and Clifford. Her posterity now numbers 100.
Aunt Polly became expert at white washing a room. She knew how to slack her lime just right and could make the logs as smooth as satin, beautiful, and white. |