REBECCA JENSEN

FAMILY

BENNINGTON, IDAHO

FEEDING THE SHEARERS

DEPUTY SHERIF

STAUNCH DEMOCRAT

FAMILY'S MOVE TO BIG HORN

SEEING MOTHER FOR THE LAST TIME

Edited and Expanded By: David J. Wardell (1990)

Copyright © 1990 By: David J. Wardell. All Rights Reserved.   Reproduction or redistribution of this page in any form is strictly prohibited.

William Joel Lindsay &
Rebecca Jensen

Page Revised: December 30, 2000

William Joel Lindsay, son of Ephraim Myers and Jane Parish Lindsay, was born at Kaysville, Davis County, Utah, June 23, 1855.

When he was a very small boy, his family moved to Brigham City, Utah, where they lived for 18 years.

He was baptized June 25, 1865 by James Pett, and confirmed the same day by John D. Reese.

His father owned and operated a shingle mill in the mouth of Box Elder Canyon and as soon as William Joel got old enough, he helped his father in the mill. Joel received very little education. His mother spun yarn for a Mrs. Box so that Joel and his sister Rachael might attend school for a time, When Joel was sixteen years old he went to Nevada and worked on a cattle ranch for two years, then came back to Utah where he worked in the mines and saw mills near Brigham.

While working in a logging camp in Logan canyon, he became acquainted with Rebecca Jensen. She was the daughter of Mads Christian and Maren Hansen Jensen, and was born December 1, 1858 in Brigham City, Utah. Joel and Rebecca, wishing to be married, it was necessary for Joel to be rebaptized which was done February 24, 1879 by Paul Stark and he was reconfirmed the same day by Bishop John D. Burt. He was ordained an Elder by Apostle Lorenzo Snow February 24, 1879. Joel and Rebecca were then married February 27, 1879 in the Endowment House in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Their only child, a girl whom they named Marion Zeruiah, was born October 6, 1880.

In August 1881, Joel moved his family to Bennington, Idaho, where he purchased. part of a homestead from his brother, David. Joel lived in Bennington all the rest of his life. He did some farming; he had 80 acres, he had a few cattle, and spent such leisure time as he had fishing and hunting. He was employed sheep shearing, and when he got older, he would contract to feed the shearers.

He would hire a lady to help Grandmother, and sometimes Aunt Rachel went too, and they would go where a lot of shearing was done, and set up a mess hall and feed the workers. He was a good shot, and served as a deputy sherif. He was well-liked by all his associates. Grandpa had firm convictions and was always a staunch Democrat.

In 1900 Joel’s brothers David, and Harvey moved to Big Horn county with a group who were sent by the church to settle that area. His parents who were elderly people at this time remained in Bennington, but shortly after the death of his father May 4, 1901 his mother went to Byron, Big Horn county, Wyoming where she spent the rest of her life.

A short time before his death Grandpa went to Wyoming to see his mother and other relatives; he had not seen his mother since 1902.