A Pioneer Child's Experience

Orpha's mother, Sabina Ann Adams Nicoll, was born 17 February 1837 in Perth, Ontario, Canada. Her parents had been converted to the Mormon faith in 1835. The family left their home to join the Saints in De Witt, Missouri, in 1838 when Sabina Ann was a baby. Mob persecution during the winter of 1839 forced them to flee to Far West, Missouri. From there they soon fled to Illinois where her father was instrumental in building the city of Nauvoo and helped to build the temple there. In the summer of 1846, they were forced to flee Nauvoo and settled near Council Bluffs, Iowa, to prepare to seek refuge with the Saints in the Rocky Mountains of Utah.

Didn't know you were part Canadian, eh?

When you think of your Greer ancestry, you probably associate them with Arizona, Utah, or maybe even Texas. But Orpha Elzetta Nicoll Greer's parents were originally from Ontario, Canada. Here is a brief synopsis of how they got to Canada and how they ended up in Arizona.

Remembering the Prophet Joseph Smith

The Prophet Joseph Smith, along with his devoted brother, Hyrum, was martyred 169 years ago on June 27, 1844, in Carthage, Illinois. We remember him today through the stories of two family connections.

Happy Birthday, Nathan Greer!

Nathan 1945

Nathan Edward Greer was the twelfth child of John Harris and Orpha Nicoll Greer. He was born on the Greer Ranch near Hunt, Arizona, on June 21, 1906. He spent his early childhood there but went to school in St. Johns.  He was 20 years old when his father died in May of 1926. The following year he married Blanche Hamblin and lived for a short time in Farmington, New Mexico, working in the Blackburn fruit orchards. When Nathan worked for the highway department, the couple lived in Ash Fork and in Parker, Arizona.  They later settled in Mesa and built a home at 228 East 2nd Street where they raised their two children, Milton and Davena.  Nathan worked as a plumber. He later moved back to St. Johns and died there on July 6, 1965.

Blanche & Nathan 1945

Davena was married to Jack Tayrien on June 6, 1952, in the Arizona Temple. Milton was married to Nancy Halvorsen on October 7, 1952, in the Los Angeles Temple. Milton graduated with a degree in pharmacy from the University of Arizona.

Submitted by Milton Greer

Evelyn Greer Whiting: Celebrating 91 Years!

 Happy Birthday!

Evelyn Greer Whiting was born on May 27, 1922 to Thomas Lacy Greer and Nellie Martha Thomas. Evelyn was born and raised in St. Johns, Arizona. She remembers living out at the Hunt Ranch as a child, and also tells of living next door to her Grandpa and Grandma Greer in St. Johns. Evelyn married her high school sweetheart Fernard Carvel Whiting on September 20, 1944. They were married in St. Johns in the home of President Levi Udall. They were sealed in the Mesa Arizona Templeon February 13, 1965. They had three children: Carvel Thomas, Bobbie Jean, and Korliss. She has eight grandchildren, ten great children, and three great-great grandchildren. 

Remembering Two Family Heroes this Memorial Day

Jerold Thomas Greer  & George Lorenzo Crosby

Two Greers: 

grandsons of Harris & Orpha.

Both born in St. John's, Arizona.

Both served our country.

Both died in World War II.

Honoring Margaret Stradling Ballantyne

Margaret Stradling was the second child and only daughter of Catherine (Kate) Greer and Alvin Stradling. She was born April 11, 1923, in St. Johns. She attended schools in St. Johns through the tenth grade, then transferred to North High School in Phoenix, graduating in 1941. 

Where it all began…

Orpha Elzetta Nicoll was born in American Fork, Utah, 29 March 1867 to Alexander Nicoll and Sabina Ann Adams. When she was three, her family moved to Washington City, Utah (near St. George), then on to St. Johns, Arizona, in 1880 when she was thirteen.

John Harris Greer, the son of Thomas Lacy Greer and Catherine Ellen Camp, was born 10 February 1866 in Bosque County, Texas. He came to St. Johns in 1884 with his sister Oasis to attend school. They lived with their Uncle Gilbert and Aunt Julia, who happened to be Orpha’s older sister. Orpha and John Harris soon fell in love and married in St. Johns the next spring on 29 March 1885 (her birthday).

They are the parents of 14 children, and this blog is intended to provide a place for their descendants to connect with each other. Please help us honor their memories and keep their family together by submitting information to be added to this blog. Each child has a tab where their information will be stored. Just follow the instructions above (to the right of the family photo).

Welcome to the Greer family reunion that never ends!

Coming March 29

L-R: Kate, Maggie, Ray, Leland (seated behind Ray), & Nathan

Circa 1915 in St. Johns, Arizona

It's Kate's turn to host the family reunion and her descendants are putting it online!

Join us March 29.