Remembering Thomas Lacy Greer

John Harris Greer's father, Thomas Lacy Greer, died on July 30, 1881, at his beloved Greer Ranch near Hunt, Arizona. He was only aged 54. He suffered throughout his life from a bullet wound to his shoulder he received fighting in the Mexican War when he was twenty years old. The bullet was never removed, causing partial disability and much suffering later in his life. He is buried in the St. Johns Cemetery. His son, Richard Decatur Greer, paid him this beautiful tribute:

He acted slowly and wisely

Truly a man among men.

His presence was strongly felt

It was like a fresh exhilarating breath of Spring.

His culture, refinement and kindly ways

Made one feel as though he were in the presence of a king.

Here is a fun coloring page portrait of Thomas Lacy Greer created using Coloring Book Hero on chatgpt.com. Click on the image to download, then print it.

               

My Native Land--Farewell

Nathaniel Hunt Greer was a cowboy, frontiersman, family man, devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints--and a poet. After joining the Church with his family in 1854, he felt called to join the Saints who were gathering to the Valley of the Great Salt Lake. This was a great sacrifice for Nathaniel because he loved his home in Texas. He wrote the following poem the year before they left. In it he writes of his sadness at leaving his beloved Texas and his devotion to His Savior Jesus Christ. Nathaniel ultimately gave his life in his service to his God and Church.

The Greer family left Milan County, Texas, on March 15, 1855, in the Seth M. Blair and Edward Stevenson Company of Emigrating Saints. This company arrived at Mormon Grove on June 2, 1855. After some reorganizing, they left Mormon Grove on June 15th. An outbreak of cholera soon struck the company. Nathaniel succumbed to the disease about ten days out and died on June 24, 1855, in Nemaha County, Kansas. His mortal remains were laid to rest on a hill about half of a mile east of Grasshopper Creek. He not only lost his own life but that of his son John Irvin and six of his grandchildren.

Remember our devoted pioneer ancestor Nathaniel Hunt Greer on this Pioneer Day.

My Native Land--Farewell

I go in the name of Christ to bear

In lands and isles unknown

And when my pilgrim's feet shall tread

On lands where darkness dwell

Where light and truth have long since fled

My Native Land--farewell.

I go an erring child of dust

Ten thousand foes among

Yet on his mighty arm I trust

That makes the feeble strong.

My sun my shield, forever nigh

He will my fears dispel

This hope supports me when I sigh

My Native Land--farewell.

I go devoted to his cause

And to his will respond

His presence will supply the loss

Of all I leave behind.

His presence cheers the sinking heart

And lights the darkest cell

To exiled pilgrims grace impart

My Native Land--farewell

I go because my master calls

He has made my duty plain

No danger can the heart appall

When Jesus stoops to reign.

And now the vessel's side we've gained

The sails their bosoms swell

Thy beauties in the distance fade

My Native Land--farewell.

Nathaniel Hunt Greer

19 February 1854 

St. Johns 2025 Pioneer Days Schedule

 

Upcoming Pioneer Days Celebration in St. Johns

 The annual Pioneer Days celebration in St. Johns is coming soon. I will post the schedule when they publish it (which should be around July 1st). If you will be near St. Johns at the end of July, try to join in on the festivities--the way your Greer ancestors would have done!

Good News from Greer

Firefighters are making significant progress toward full containment of the fire raging outside of Greer. Conditions are improving and full containment is expected by the end of the week. Over 20,000 acres have been consumed so far by the fire. Some roads are still closed and trail access in the area is limited. The smoke continues to impact air quality throughout the White Mountains.

The residents who were evacuated have been cleared to return to their homes. Gratefully, no injuries (to either the public or to firefighters) have been reported.