Chester Southworth III and Agnes Caldwell Southworth

“I married Chester Southworth III, of Brigham City, the first day of January 1865.” Chester’s family had come from Illinois in 1852. He was born in Nauvoo, IL on Aug 22, 1842. His parents were Mary Byington and Chester Southworth. Chester had also crossed the plains as a 9-year-old with the John B. Walker Wagon Company. Agnes was a dainty dark-haired bride weighing just 96 lbs. Chester was considered a good catch. He was handsome with a dark complexion, black curly hair, medium height, and dark blue eyes. He was a man of many abilities and gifts.

“We resided in Brigham City until we had four little children, Margaret Ann (Perkins), Agnes Abigail (Wilcox), Rosilla Elizabeth (Osborn), and Chester Nathaniel (died 1879 of diphtheria). My first baby was born in a little adobe house on the corner of First West and Second North. I paid ten dollars for her baby coat. Oranges were seven dollars each. My second baby's dress was silk mull, yellow dotted with pink.” At one point, Agnes was a mail carrier.

Daughter Agnes A. Wilcox: “Father was set apart by President [Lorenzo] Snow to direct drama in Brigham City. President Snow opened his home to the young people for their social activities. In one end of his large living room he build a stage with a large canvas, which rolled up for the front curtain. For many years this makeshift stage provided the public a great deal of good wholesome fun.

“The acting troupe played most of the Shakespearean plays plus many current farces and comedies including ‘Ten Nights in a Bar Room,’ ‘The Lady of Lyons,’ ‘Avalanche!,’ ‘Black-eyed Susan,’ ‘Milky White,’ and ‘Uncle Tom’s Cabin.’ They also played ‘This House is Sold”-- a farce, which offended President Snow. Father was usually the villain.

“Father was also a member of the marshal band playing the fife or flute and played his fiddle for dances and did some calling. On one occasion he was called to Salt Lake City to act with the noted actors of the time like Phil Margetts and John Lindsay. With these extracurricular activities he was kept pretty busy and away from home a great deal, especially in the evenings. One night when he stayed later than usual, Mother fastened a bucket of water above the door so he would get a good soaking when he came in. Something went awry as the water all fell into the house instead of on Father!”

Agnes C. S: “In 1873 my husband was called to Bear Lake, Idaho to work in the tannery (a Co-op affair) and to take care of the drama and social activities for the Church.” He was always active in dramatics, directing many groups, and also played the violin. Chester helped build the Logan Temple; freighted to Nev. & Montana tannery & harness shop; built bridges for the railroad; made cheese, whips, watch chains, harness oil; raised livestock, sugar beets, berries, and fruit. Nine more children were born in Idaho: Mary May (Anderson), Effie (died 1879 of diphtheria), Leslie (died 1892 of polio?), Horace, Caldwell, Newell, Jeana (Miller), Sylvester, Veara (Fife). [Three of them died under the age of 14 years.] Agnes was subject to severe migraine headaches but still did an enormous amount of work, caring for her large family, plus helping others when necessary. She was a perfectionist and kept her kids looking ‘just so.’ She had great charm and warmth, and was, in every sense of the word, a lady.

“Then we were called to help settle the Mormon colony in Canada [Malad, Corinne, Dingle, and Milo], where we lived for eight years. From Canada we moved to California [with daughter Agnes Wilcox and family] where my husband died the fourth day of March 1910 in Gridley, Butte, California, in the Sacramento Valley.” Chester died of “apoplexy” (stroke) while tanning a deerhide.

“I then sold, or completed selling, our home and fruit farm, as we were in the middle of selling everything when Chester passed away. Due to flood conditions we were unable to ship the body to Utah for burial. The railroads were washed out, which made it impossible for any of our children to come. Chester was buried in the Live Oak Cemetery, Gridley, California. I then came back to Brigham City, Utah, home of my childhood.”

Mother Agnes Caldwell Southworth passed away here, in her little home in Brigham City, the little town she always wanted to live for her remaining years. She passed away September the 11th, 1924 and is buried in the Brigham City Cemetery. 

Agnes and Chester had 13 children (three died under the age of 14) and 53 grandchildren.

 

Source: familysearch.org/tree -  Veara Southworth Fife

 

 

(Chester Southworth III and Agnes Caldwell Southworth)

 

Edwin can remember his father, Lamar, telling him that Chester Southworth III also dug wells for sugar beet farmers.