News of the State
Daughter of Parley P. Pratt Passes Away in Richfield
Pioneer of Richfield Dead
Richfield, April 19—On the 12th of last month, a gala day set apart for the entertainment of the aged people of Richfield, Mrs. John Gardner of this city was awarded two prizes, being the oldest Utah pioneer present and the mother of the largest number of children. On Arbor Day she took an active part in the seasonable work about her place. On Friday, April 17, she died suddenly, the end caused by a hemorrhage of the lungs. The funeral services were held in the Mormon tabernacle of this city today.
Mrs. Gardner was 56 years of age, having been born on the 1st day of April, 1847, at Winter Quarters, Neb. Her parents, Apostle Parley P. Pratt and Sarah Houston Pratt, were en route across the plains to Utah at the time. Ten years later her father was killed by a mob in Arkansas.
At the age of 13 Julia Pratt married John Gardner in Salt Lake and they removed to Goshen, Utah county. When she was only 15 years old her mother died and she raised the entire family of five younger children.
In 1877 the Gardner family moved to Sevier county, settling near Prattsville, four miles east of Richfield, where they lived until 1982, when they settled in Richfield, their present home.
The deceased was the mother of fourteen children and raised nineteen children. Ten of her son and daughters are still living. They are Mrs. Allen Thurber of Dublan, Mexico; Mrs. William Rust of Loa, Utah; Mrs. Ammon Grigg of Cove, Or.; Parley Gardner of Rexburg, Ida.; and Mrs. Jacob N. Lauritzen, Misses Belle, Maida and Cleo Gardner, and Messrs. Joseph and Laverne Gardner, all living in Richfield. John Garder, husband of the deceased, died in October, 1896,
[Ogden Standard Examiner, Apr. 20, 1903]
[transcribed and proofread by David Grow, July 2006]
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Richfield
Funeral of Mrs. J.P. Gardner
Touching Services Held in Sevier Stake Tabernacle
Special Correspondence
Richfield, Sevier Co., April 22—The funeral services over the remains of Sister Julia Pratt Gardner were held at the Sevier Stake tabernacle yesterday. Beautiful and appropriate music was rendered by the choir, and a solo, “The Christian’s Goodnight,” was touchingly rendered by Brother Geo. M. Jones.
The speakers were Elders Jas. W. Elliott, P.E. Westman, Paul Poulson, Amil Jensen, J.W. Coons, President Joseph S. Horne and Bishop A.G. Young, who each paid loving tributes of praise to the departed sister, and encouraged the bereaved ones to emulate her noble example. A beautiful and touching poem was written for the occasion and read by its author, Sister Maggie Brandley.
The beautiful casket was literally covered with the choicest cut flowers, wreaths and bouquets. The Relief society of which Sister Gardner was a member, and in which she has aided for many years as teacher, presented a beautiful wreath of delicate white flowers, all showing the high esteem in which the deceased was held by her many friends and neighbors.
At the grave the dedicatory prayer was offered by Elder Moroni L. Pratt of Provo, who is a brother of the deceased.
Sister Julia Pratt Gardner was born at Winter Quarters, Neb., April 1, 1847, and came with her parents to Salt Lake City in the autumn of the same year, being among one of the first companies of Pioneers.
She was full of faith and integrity, and her life was a willing sacrifice for truth. Her devotion to her religion, to her family and friends and to the poor was remarkable, considering her delicate health.
[Deseret News, Apr. 25, 1903]
[transcribed and proofread by David Grow, Jan. 2006]
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Julia Pratt Gardner
Obituary: This party died at Richfield, Utah on April 17, 1903.
[Journal History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Apr. 17, 1903, 2]
[transcribed and proofread by David Grow, Jan. 2006]
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Mrs. Julia Pratt Gardner, a pioneer of 1847, did at Richfield, Sevier Co., today.
[Journal History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Apr. 17, 1903, 4]
[transcribed and proofread by David Grow, Jan. 2006]
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