Here are the dates that are significant to the family in January:
1 (or 18?): Margaret Elzetta Greer Nichols Hayden (Marguerite) died on this date in either 1988 or 1989 at the age of 91 in Scottsdale, Arizona. ***There is some confusion about her death date and neither her death certificate nor her burial information have been located. If anyone has any records that could clear this up, please e-mail barbaraballantyne@hotmail.com.***
3: John Harris, Jr., died on this date in 1967 at the age of 79 in Mesa, Arizona. He is buried in St. Johns.
12: Thomas Lacy married Nellie Martha Thomas on this date in 1918 in St. Johns. They had six children together--Marvine, Evelyn, Jerold, Philip, Franklin, and Shirley.
December 31, 2017
November 30, 2017
Important Family Dates for December
December is the month of love for the Greer family. Four of Harris' and Orpha's children were married in St. Johns this month:
24: John Harris, Jr., married Mary Ellen Heap in 1908
26: Lillian married Gordon Parks in 1916
Ray married Laura Wright in 1933
27: Florence married George Crosby in 1922
24: John Harris, Jr., married Mary Ellen Heap in 1908
26: Lillian married Gordon Parks in 1916
Ray married Laura Wright in 1933
27: Florence married George Crosby in 1922
October 31, 2017
Important Family Dates for November
Here are some dates that are important to the family in November:
15: Harris' mother, Catherine Ellen Camp Greer, died on this date in 1929 at the age of 92 at her home in Holbrook following a short illness. [Harris had died three years before.] She is buried in St. Johns beside her beloved husband Thomas Lacy Greer.
23: James Alexander Greer (the 9th child of Orpha and Harris) died on this date in 1978 at the age of 78 in Springerville, Arizona. He is buried in St. Johns as well.
25: Harris' parents, Thomas Lacy Greer and Catherine Ellen Camp, were married on this date in 1855 in Salt Lake City, Utah, after a brief courtship.
30: Nathan Edward Greer [child #12] married Blanche Hamblin on this date in 1927 in Gallup, New Mexico. They had two children, Davena and Sherman.
15: Harris' mother, Catherine Ellen Camp Greer, died on this date in 1929 at the age of 92 at her home in Holbrook following a short illness. [Harris had died three years before.] She is buried in St. Johns beside her beloved husband Thomas Lacy Greer.
23: James Alexander Greer (the 9th child of Orpha and Harris) died on this date in 1978 at the age of 78 in Springerville, Arizona. He is buried in St. Johns as well.
25: Harris' parents, Thomas Lacy Greer and Catherine Ellen Camp, were married on this date in 1855 in Salt Lake City, Utah, after a brief courtship.
30: Nathan Edward Greer [child #12] married Blanche Hamblin on this date in 1927 in Gallup, New Mexico. They had two children, Davena and Sherman.
October 17, 2017
Happy Birthday, Grandma Greer!
October 17th marks the 180th birthday of Harris' mother, Catherine Ellen Camp Greer. We celebrate her life with the following poem written to honor her 85th birthday and read at a celebration hosted by her Relief Society sisters in Holbrook:
Grandma Greer, we're so glad you're here
With your sweet face so full of cheer.
Though your cheeks are furrowed with lines of care
Still there is a rare beauty there.
For more beautiful than youth
Are the furrows of kindness, wisdom, and truth.
Our thoughts are like pen and ink
And write on our faces what we do and think.
So if we keep out thoughts kind, sweet, and true,
We will grow old and beautiful just like you.
October 16, 2017
Saying Goodbye to Evelyn Greer Whiting
Evelyn Greer Whiting, the daughter of Thomas Lacy and Nellie Thomas Greer, peacefully passed away on September 28, 2017, at the age of 95. Here is a link to her obituary:
[FYI: The obituary incorrectly records her marriage to Fernard Whiting. They were actually married September 20, 1941, and later sealed in the temple on February 13, 1965.]
Her niece, Kelli Tice Crosby, shared the following tribute on Facebook on the day of Evelyn's passing:
"My Aunt Evelyn passed away this morning peacefully. Oh I will miss her, but grateful she is finally with her husband and children, all of whom passed years ago. I can see her with my grandmother just visiting away and smiling through tears of joy. Thank you for loving me and for everything you taught me about the strength of women in our family."
Funeral services were held for Evelyn on Saturday, October 7, 2017, at the St. Johns Stake Center in St. Johns, Arizona. Rachel Bates, Evelyn's granddaughter, shared the following details and photos:
Family Prayer: Randy Lee
Conducting: Bishop Trent Hancock
Opening Hymn: "Secret Prayer"
Opening Prayer: Garth Greer
Life Story: Bonnie Helms
Musical Number: "Homeward Bound" by the Ward Choir
Talk: Rachel Bates
Musical Number: "On the Road to Emmaus" by Boyd Lee
Talk: Bruce Jackson
Closing Remarks: Bishop Trent Hancock
Closing Hymn: "God Be With You 'Till We Meet Again"
Closing Prayer: Ron Bates
Dedication of the Grave: Dan Heap
Pall Bearers: C.J. Romero, Easton Waters, Jake Malanca, Anthony Greer, Boyd Lee, Curt Lee, Justin Lee
Honorary Pall Bearers: Kent Waters, Ret Waters, Payton Waters, Chris Romero, Jeff Waters, Ron Bates, Ken Malanca, Mitchell Eagar, Burl Helms, Chuck Gilliespie, Buz Whiting
October 10, 2017
Kate's Funeral Services
Kate passed away on October 7, 1970, from heart failure due to cancer. Her funeral services were held on Saturday, October 10, 1970, in Holbrook, Arizona. Here are some photos of her daughter Margaret Stradling Ballantyne, her son-in-law Tom Ballantyne, and other family members who gathered to honor her.
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| the program from Kate's funeral services |
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| L-R: Margaret Stradling Ballantyne, Maxine Parks Mills, Arza Lacy Greer, Margaret Greer Nichols |
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| L-R: Ken Dewitt, Lacy Greer, Edna Hunt, Myrtle Thomson Greer, Pratt Greer |
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| Flossie Greer Crosby (far left) and family |
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| various family members |
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| L-R: Sabina Greer Law, Flossie Greer Crosby |
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| L-R: [back row] Leland Greer, Garth Greer [seated] May Greer (Garth's wife), Geneva Greer, Flossie Greer Crosby, Margaret Stradling Ballantyne |
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| L-R: [back] Elzetta Brown DeWitt (Myrtle's daughter), Kathleen Law Taylor (Sabina's daughter), Florence Greer Varney (Irvin's daughter) [front] Margaret S. Ballantyne, Sabina Greer Law, Flossie Greer Crosby, Tom Ballantyne |
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| L-R: [back] Elzetta Brown DeWitt, Kathleen Law Taylor, Ken DeWitt [front] Flossie Greer Crosby, Margaret S. Ballantyne, Sabina Greer Law, Florence Greer Varney |
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| L-R: [back] Elzetta Brown DeWitt, Kathleen Law Taylor [front] Tom Ballantyne, Margaret S. Ballantyne, Sabina Greer Law, Flossie Greer Crosby, Florence Greer Varney |
September 30, 2017
Important Family Dates for October
There are a number of dates that have importance to the family in October:
5: Orpha's father, Alexander Nicoll, died at his home in St. Johns in 1907 at the age of 77 [when Orpha was 40 years old]. He is buried in the St. Johns Cemetery with his beloved wife Sabina Ann Adams Nicoll.
7: Kate died of cancer in 1970 in Holbrook, Arizona, at the age of 71 and is buried in the Holbrook Cemetery.
9: Harris and Orpha's third child, Sabina Ann, was born in 1889 in St. Johns.
Their youngest living child, Raymond Hogue Greer, was born in 1911 in St. Johns.
Their oldest child, Myrtle, married Benjamin Brown in 1908 in Salt Lake City.
17: Harris' mother, Catherine Ellen Camp, was born in 1837 in Dresden, Tennessee. She is the tenth out of the fifteen children born to Williams Washington Camp and Diannah Harriet Greer.
23: Lillian Oasis Greer was born in St. Johns in 1891. She is the fourth child of the family.
27: The fifth child, Nathaniel, was born in Concho in 1893. He married his first wife, Edith Viola Thomas, on his birthday in 1920. They had no children and divorced after a few years. He later married Marjorie Akers in California.
Margaret Elzetta Greer was born in St. Johns in 1897. She is the seventh child of the family. She went by the name "Maggie" growing up but preferred to be called "Marguerite" as an adult.
5: Orpha's father, Alexander Nicoll, died at his home in St. Johns in 1907 at the age of 77 [when Orpha was 40 years old]. He is buried in the St. Johns Cemetery with his beloved wife Sabina Ann Adams Nicoll.
7: Kate died of cancer in 1970 in Holbrook, Arizona, at the age of 71 and is buried in the Holbrook Cemetery.
9: Harris and Orpha's third child, Sabina Ann, was born in 1889 in St. Johns.
Their youngest living child, Raymond Hogue Greer, was born in 1911 in St. Johns.
Their oldest child, Myrtle, married Benjamin Brown in 1908 in Salt Lake City.
17: Harris' mother, Catherine Ellen Camp, was born in 1837 in Dresden, Tennessee. She is the tenth out of the fifteen children born to Williams Washington Camp and Diannah Harriet Greer.
23: Lillian Oasis Greer was born in St. Johns in 1891. She is the fourth child of the family.
27: The fifth child, Nathaniel, was born in Concho in 1893. He married his first wife, Edith Viola Thomas, on his birthday in 1920. They had no children and divorced after a few years. He later married Marjorie Akers in California.
Margaret Elzetta Greer was born in St. Johns in 1897. She is the seventh child of the family. She went by the name "Maggie" growing up but preferred to be called "Marguerite" as an adult.
September 2, 2017
Remembering Thomas Lacy Greer
"Thomas Lacy Greer, son of Nathaniel Hunt Greer and Ann Terry Roberts, was born September 2, 1826, in [DeKalb] County, Georgia. He grew to manhood before they came to Utah. His father, mother, brothers, and sisters all came overland to Utah. While coming, one brother died of cholera, and then his father [who also died of cholera] was buried with little to mark his resting place...."
This is how John Harris' younger sister, Oasis Ann Greer Blessingame, begins her account of the life of her father. You can read the full account here: www.familysearch.org/photos/artifacts/6745167.
This is how John Harris' younger sister, Oasis Ann Greer Blessingame, begins her account of the life of her father. You can read the full account here: www.familysearch.org/photos/artifacts/6745167.
August 31, 2017
Important Family Dates for September
There are only two dates of significance to the Greer family in September:
2: Thomas Lacy Greer (Harris' father) was born in 1826 in DeKalb, Georgia.
9: Sabina (Bina) Ann Greer Law died in 1972 in Salt Lake City, Utah. She is buried next to her husband Carl in Lindquist Memorial Gardens of the Wasatch, 1718 Combe Road, Ogden, Utah.
2: Thomas Lacy Greer (Harris' father) was born in 1826 in DeKalb, Georgia.
9: Sabina (Bina) Ann Greer Law died in 1972 in Salt Lake City, Utah. She is buried next to her husband Carl in Lindquist Memorial Gardens of the Wasatch, 1718 Combe Road, Ogden, Utah.
July 31, 2017
Important Family Dates for August
Here are some dates that are important to the family in August:
7: Leland's death (1981)
8: Thomas Lacy's birth (1895)
15: Lillian's death (1951)
21: John Harris Jr.'s birth (1888)
22: Flossie's death (1996)
29: James' birth (1900)
If you are a descendant of any of these siblings and want to honor them in some way on this blog, please e-mail me at barbaraballantyne@hotmail.com.
7: Leland's death (1981)
8: Thomas Lacy's birth (1895)
15: Lillian's death (1951)
21: John Harris Jr.'s birth (1888)
22: Flossie's death (1996)
29: James' birth (1900)
If you are a descendant of any of these siblings and want to honor them in some way on this blog, please e-mail me at barbaraballantyne@hotmail.com.
July 30, 2017
Thomas Lacy Greer and the Greer Ranch
When Harris was about ten years old, his parents, Thomas Lacy and Ellen Camp Greer, decided to move their family and large cattle herd back to Utah from Texas, where they had moved to twenty years prior to serve a mission for the LDS Church. On the way they stopped in northeastern Arizona and like it so well they decided to stay. Thomas bought the French Ranch from Leon Dubois for $350 and it was known as Greer Ranch thereafter. He built the family a lovely home with a rock house out front to keep food cool (in the days before refrigeration). The book Texas and the Greers records:
"The Greer Ranch became one of the finest cattle ranches in Arizona. It was a beautiful place with several springs. They were able to raise all kinds of vegetables, strawberries, and watermelon.
Their great herds of cattle roamed the hills. They had many fine horses and a beautiful home where high officials of Church and government were entertained. Rich and poor alike were made welcome, and they were known everywhere for their fine hospitality."
Unfortunately, Harris' father was only able to enjoy Greer Ranch for a few years. He died at the Ranch on July 30, 1881, at the age of 55 after suffering from erysipelas, a bacterial infection of the skin.
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| a photo of the Ranch taken in 1979 |
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| a Google Satellite image of the Greer Ranch today |
July 25, 2017
Memories of Grandma Catherine (Kate)
Today we remember Orpha's exemplary life on the 73rd anniversary of her death. You can read other posts about her in various places on this blog. But it is also Kate's birthday, so her grandson, Joseph Stradling Ballantyne, shares some sweet memories of the woman he knew as Grandma Catherine:
It seems that we went to Greer a number of times for summer vacations. We stayed at different cabins. One time we stayed above the Greer Store. Grandma Catherine was the Postmaster in Greer and in Nutrioso for a few years. When we were quite young she got in a car wreck and had her leg amputated.
She owned a store/gas station in a spot called Red Hill, New Mexico. There was nothing else there--only her building. For a few years after her second husband, Roy Hall, died, she lived and worked at Red Hill all by herself. It is an absolute miracle that she never got robbed or worse. She was an old one-legged lady all by herself.
We went to Red Hill a few times to visit her. I remember we found rocks and placed them together to look like a turtle. Grandma Catherine let us paint them. One time at Red Hill, Tommy and I were chased by Grandma's roosters. I was scared and mad that she was laughing. During this same visit, Grandma and I were baking a cake together. I told her how much I liked the batter. She said to eat as much as I wanted. I don't know if I ate it all or not, but I ate more batter that day than any other time in my life!
One Red Hill visit it was just me and Mother (Kate's daughter, Margaret Stradling Ballantyne), probably the summer of 1965 when I went to work on Uncle Harvey's ranch. We stayed a few days and I ran the gas station. I felt very responsible.
Grandma Catherine had a very difficult life. But looking back, I realize she was a great Grandma. She was always doing things with us when we came to visit. I had no appreciation then for how difficult it was for her to walk. Yet many of the things she would do with us were physical things--taking us on walks, getting us horse rides, gathering eggs from her chickens, going on picnics in Greer. As a kid I remember thinking she sure had nice soft skin.
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| Joe (seated) and his siblings Catherine and Tommy at Red Hill |
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| Kate's gas station/store at Red Hill, New Mexico |
She owned a store/gas station in a spot called Red Hill, New Mexico. There was nothing else there--only her building. For a few years after her second husband, Roy Hall, died, she lived and worked at Red Hill all by herself. It is an absolute miracle that she never got robbed or worse. She was an old one-legged lady all by herself.
We went to Red Hill a few times to visit her. I remember we found rocks and placed them together to look like a turtle. Grandma Catherine let us paint them. One time at Red Hill, Tommy and I were chased by Grandma's roosters. I was scared and mad that she was laughing. During this same visit, Grandma and I were baking a cake together. I told her how much I liked the batter. She said to eat as much as I wanted. I don't know if I ate it all or not, but I ate more batter that day than any other time in my life!
One Red Hill visit it was just me and Mother (Kate's daughter, Margaret Stradling Ballantyne), probably the summer of 1965 when I went to work on Uncle Harvey's ranch. We stayed a few days and I ran the gas station. I felt very responsible.
Grandma Catherine had a very difficult life. But looking back, I realize she was a great Grandma. She was always doing things with us when we came to visit. I had no appreciation then for how difficult it was for her to walk. Yet many of the things she would do with us were physical things--taking us on walks, getting us horse rides, gathering eggs from her chickens, going on picnics in Greer. As a kid I remember thinking she sure had nice soft skin.
July 18, 2017
St. Johns Stake Pioneer Day Celebration
138th Annual Pioneer Days
July 18TH – 23RD
Theme: Joy in the Journey
www.sjpioneerdays.com
Monday, July 17th
Rodeo Sign-ups: Monday only from 4:00-8:00 pm at the BUB.
Tuesday and Wednesday, July 18th & 19th
Basketball: Entry fee $30 per team. Sign up Tuesday the 18th at 5:30 pm at the MIDDLE SCHOOL GYM. Round Robin play begins at
6:00 pm on Tuesday the 18th and tournament play begins at 6:00 pm
Wednesday the 19th at the MIDDLE SCHOOL GYM. Free to
watch. Contact Christian 928-551-3076 or Breanna Lee 928-551-5600 or Paul &
Felisha Ramsey 480-390-7257.
Volleyball: Coed teams. Entry fee $7 per person. Sign up Tuesday 18th at 5:30 pm at the HIGH SCHOOL GYM. Round Robin play begins at 6:00
pm on Tuesday the 18th and tournament play begins at 6:00 pm
Wednesday the 19th at the HIGH SCHOOL GYM. Free to
watch. There will be a limit of 12 teams. Contact Jake 928-245-7402 or Liz
Udall 480-440-7247, Ty 928-245-0199 or Candice Bond 928-243-5137.
Thursday, July 20th
Chili Bean &
Cornbread Dinner: FREE chili bean & cornbread
dinner for everyone beginning at 5:00 pm. Bring your blanket and chairs to the
CITY PARK. Paper products and ice water furnished. Contact Rodney Brewer
928-358-8648.
Ice Cream Social: FREE ice cream for everyone at the
CITY PARK beginning at 6:00 pm. Bring your blanket and chairs and visit awhile.
Sugar-free ice cream will be available.
Contact Trey & Brindi Platt
928-551-1473 or William & Delvis Briceno 551-4533 (Spanish Speaking).
Pioneer Program: Will be at the CITY PARK at
approximately 7:00 pm following the Ice Cream Social. Contact Brent & Tobie
Overson 928-245-7427 or Donna Hauser 928-245-6761.
Youth Dance: at the FAIRGROUNDS midway 8:30-11:30
pm, for ages 14 and up. Admission $5.00 per person. Refreshments available to
purchase. (LDS dress standards: no tank tops, no bare midriffs, no miniskirts
and no shorts). Contact Peter & Jaymi Cox 928-892-9448 or Klint & Amber
Heap 928-245-3963.
Friday, July 21st
9, #11 & #13
Ropings: Start at 7:00 am at the ST. JOHNS
RODEO GROUNDS.
Frontier Days Shoot: 9:00 am at the NASA Shooting range.
Contact Bowen Udall 928-245-3666.
Junior Rodeo: Ages 0-16, starts 10:00 am at the ST.
JOHNS RODEO GROUNDS. Events planned for all ages. Buckles awarded for best
cowboy and cowgirl. Admission $10.00 per carload or $3.00 per person. Sponsored
by St. Johns Rodeo Association. Contestants admitted for free.
Camp Fire Circle: Circle your “wagons” next to the ST.
JOHNS AIRPORT starting at 4:30 pm. Bring your dinner, family and friends.
Visiting is a must!
Family Dance: COUNTY FAIR BUILDING (BUB) 8:00
pm-Midnight. Admission age 4 and under free, $5.00/person or $20.00/family.
(LDS dress standards: no tank tops, no bare midriffs, no miniskirts and no
shorts) Contact Peter & Jaymi Cox 928-892-9448 or Klint & Amber Heap
928-245-3963.
Saturday, July 22nd
5K or 1 mile Run/Walk: Registration from 5:45-6:25 am at the
CITY PARK. The races begin at 6:30 am. Fee is $10.00/person. Online
registration at https://www.raceentry.com/races/st-johns-2017-pioneer-
days-family-fun-runwalk/2017/register
Contact RD or
Cheryl Stradling 928-245-0186, Tony 928-245-2652 or Mary Jo Raykovitz
928-245-2651.
Parade: Begins at 10:00 am. Our theme is “Joy
in the Journey”. Entry deadline is Thursday July 20th @ 12 noon. Family and personal floats/entries are encouraged. CASH
prizes awarded. Contact Brad & Shauna Jarvis 928-245-2321 or Ben & Amy
Brown 928-242-1370. Entries available at LDS church buildings, Gas n’ Go and
Whitings Quick Stop. Grand Marshalls – Steve & Sharon Crosby.
Senior Rodeo: Adult Rodeo begins at 1:00 pm.
Admission: $10.00 a carload or $3.00 a person. Sponsored by St. Johns Rodeo
Association. Contestants admitted for free.
Steak Fry: ST. JOHNS CITY PARK 5:00-7:00 pm.
$5.00/person; steak, baked potato, salad, rolls and water. Free hot dogs for
the kids with the purchase of a dinner. Contact Tony & Wendy Lindsey
480-319-3110 or Byron & Cassidy Wahl 928-245-2008.
Family Dance: COUNTY FAIR BUILDING (BUB) 8:30-11:30
pm. Admission age 4 and under free, $5.00/person or $20/family. (LDS dress
standards: no tank tops, no bare midriffs, no miniskirts and no shorts).
Contact Peter & Jaymi Cox 928-892-9448 or Klint & Amber Heap
928-245-3963.
Sunday, July 23rd
Sacrament Meetings: 10:00-11:30am
Stake Center: Lyman, Grover’s Hill, Meadows & Concho
Downtown Chapel: Little Colorado & Salem
Registration for All Rodeos: MONDAY ONLY July 17th from 4:00-8:00 pm.
County Fair Grounds metal building (BUB)
Entry fees must be paid
in CASH (Pricing on separate flyer & website) No checks or credit/debit cards - NO REFUNDS
Chairpersons Wyatt 208-227-4710 and Holly Smith 928-245-2614,
Tyler Raban 480-313-2391 and Kyrie Foster 928-551-1693
July 1, 2017
Happy Canada Day!
This is the Royal Union Flag used in the early 1800's when Orpha's British-Canadian ancestors lived in Ontario. They lived mostly in or near the town of Perth (just above the Highway 7 marker on the right hand side of the map).
June 30, 2017
Important Family Dates for July
Here are the dates that are important to the family in the month of July:
1: Canada Day
6: Nathan died (1965)
8: Irvin was born (1904)
14: Jim married Mary Francis Hinge (1921)
Irvin died (1945)
24: Pioneer Day (The St. Johns Stake is hosting the 138th annual Pioneer Days week-long celebration. Get more information here https://stjohnspioneerdays.files.wordpress.com/2016/07/24th-of-july-flyer1-2017bw.pdf or at sjpioneerdays.com.)
25: Kate was born (1899)
Orpha died (1944)
28: Leland married Alice Geneva Crosby (1930)
1: Canada Day
6: Nathan died (1965)
8: Irvin was born (1904)
14: Jim married Mary Francis Hinge (1921)
Irvin died (1945)
24: Pioneer Day (The St. Johns Stake is hosting the 138th annual Pioneer Days week-long celebration. Get more information here https://stjohnspioneerdays.files.wordpress.com/2016/07/24th-of-july-flyer1-2017bw.pdf or at sjpioneerdays.com.)
25: Kate was born (1899)
Orpha died (1944)
28: Leland married Alice Geneva Crosby (1930)
June 27, 2017
A Testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith
Harris Greer did not leave us any personal writings about his life. Most of what we know about what a great man he was--highly respected, strictly honest, reliable, full of integrity, devoted public servant, tender father--we learn from what others have written about him. But nothing is mentioned about his testimony of the Gospel and devotion to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We get a glimpse of this, however, from something his son Jim wrote:
I remember that when [Father] came to California, to visit me, how much I enjoyed having him.
He talked about the good things that were in store for me, if I would become interested and work
in it, and of what a wonderful man Joseph Smith was. I will always remember the love and
counsel he gave me then.
Today is the 173rd anniversary of the martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Harris must have had a great love for him. Some of that may have been passed down from his parents--especially his mother, who was personally acquainted with the Prophet [see the post on this blog from June 27, 2013]--but it also had to have been something that he developed deep in his heart on his own. I think he would want us to know that today.
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