Charles South

 

Charles South was the third son and child of William South and Catherine Nicholsen Powell.  Charles was born in Tadcaster, Yorkshire, England on December 23, 1835.  His brothers, Edward and Ralph were born in 1832 and 1833 respectively, and one sister, Emmara in 1837, all in England.  Their father, William, was a bricklayer.

 

Charles was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on October 27, 1853, and he was confirmed on October 30 at York, England.  The next year he left Liverpool on October 16, 1854 and arrived in New York on November 16.  His parents and sister came to North America when he did, and they settled in Brantford, Canada.  Charles stayed there about nine months.  He then started for Utah, going by train to Cincinnati, then on steamboat to Florence.

 

After Charles moved to Randolph, Utah, he made many of the bedsteads, washstands, washtubs, etc. in the area.  He had a lathe to turn the legs and rounds for chairs and tables.  He also made wooden potato mashers and rolling pins.  He made 100 chairs for the chapel at Randolph before 1900, and two of these hand-made chairs are in the possession of a granddaughter, Sara Spencer Nicholson, and a great-granddaughter, Elayne Tate Bybee.  For years he made the caskets for burials, and Elizabeth, his wife, trimmed them with white cloth.

 

In one history we read,

 

“On April 3rd and 4th, 1896, fifteen men, using twelve teams and scrapers, plowed and leveled the meeting house lot under the leadership of Brother Charles South.  They were rewarded with a free dance.  Finally, after sixteen years the beautiful brick tabernacle was dedicated.  This was a celebration, combined with stake conference. 

 

Apostle George Albert Smith dedicated the ward tabernacle on Sunday, July 26, 1914.  In fact, the people celebrated July 24th, 24th, and 26th.  The auditorium seated 700.  In early fall of 1937, a baptismal font was added in the NE corner in the basement.  A furnace was later installed. 

 

A new recreational hall was built to replace the old Opera House.  The new one was dedicated by Apostle E. Bowen.  In 1977, extensive remodeling was done.  The Tabernacle’s history is filled with sacrifice, dedication, and love.  It has been added to the Governor’s list of historical sites and is cherished by all who attend services and meetings there.”

 

Our family members worshipped in the Tabernacle.  Also, funerals for some family members were held there, for example, Charles South’s daughter-in-law, Hannah Corless South  on January 31, 1956 and later for Hannah’s daughter, Elgie South Larsen on February 21, 1963.

 

Charles and Elizabeth were blessed with seven sons and three daughters, namely: William, James, Charles, John, Edward, Samuel, Abraham, Agnes Taylor, Elizabeth, and Catherine, all with the second name “Rich” except Agnes.

 

Charles South passed away at Randolph on September 11, 1911 and was buried on the 14th.

 

Charles might have lived longer than seventy-six years if he had had surgery for his prostate condition, but in those days one did not have much faith in operations.