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.