By Dar Smith

In the colorful valley east of Bryce Canyon National Park there are presently three small communities settled by Mormon colonists and each is located on tributaries to the Paria River. It was about 1877 or 1878 when they began building homes at Henrieville. James Edward Smith moved his two wives and families upstream from the older settlement at Pahreah in Kane County to settle with other families at Henrieville.

James Edward Sr.'s second wife, Elizabeth Jennett Smithson, were the parents of fifteen children. Their fourteenth child, Barton Henry Smith, was born at Henrieville, March 5, 1901. Bart, as he was known to all who met him, spent most of his early years growing up there. His father, James Edward, passed away when Bart was seven years old. This limited his child and boyhood experiences with his father who enjoyed farming, working with livestock and freighting with teams and wagons.

In the community of Moroni, in Sanpete County, Utah, Aaron Hardy Jr., after the passing of his first wife, had met and married Hannah Matilda Larson. The first child born to that couple was Virginia, she was the oldest of seven children. Virginia grew up in that town, along with her family. In 1920 Virginia accepted a teaching position in the Garfield County School District and was assigned to the Henrieville School. Her parents took her in their Model T Ford to the new job at Henrieville on September 17, 1920.

Sometime that fall, Bart met Virginia at a home party held at his sister Serilda Savage's home. Much of the entertainment people enjoyed in those days was the "homemade variety: which cost little or no money. Some games tested the physical strength, agility, and endurance, as well as the mental dexterity of the participants. One such event attracted the attention of Virginia, so she wrote in her journal, about how well Bart Smith did in a game that evening. Their social dating followed for a period of two years.

The dating turned into courtship, the couple were getting serious, a very important question needed to be asked of Virginia's parents. Perhaps with nervous hands, Bart wrote a letter requesting approval for him to marry their daughter, Virginia. Soon, a letter was received back from them giving permission for their marriage. They were married in the living room of his mother's home, Elizabeth Jennett Smith, in Henrieville on April 6, 1922, the marriage was performed by Bishop Delbert Ahlstrom.

Their honeymoon came two days later when this couple moved from Henrieville to the Deer Trail Mines near Marysvale, Utah. Bart had found work in a quartz mine. Their home near the mine was shared with his sister, Serilda and her husband, Leo Savage. By fall that same year, the newly weds moved to Moroni, to be near Virginia's parents and family, until the arrival of the first child, Gloria, who was born on February 3, 1923. Bart worked for his father-in-law, Aaron Hardy, as a farm handyman until the summer of 1923.

Perhaps being a little homesick to see his mother and other family members, Bart returned to Henrieville for a visit. While there he took a job with the Garfield County Roads department. On that job he teamed with his brother, Allen Smith, as they hand-drilled holes used for blasting road improvements on sections of the Red Canyon road which is between Panguitch and Bryce Canyon. Virginia and new baby, Gloria, joined Bart at that construction site where they lived in a tent for several weeks during the months of September and October. They did not do any work on the two small tunnels now seen in Red Canyon. When that job was closed down for the winter, the family went to Henrieville where they stayed with his mother for a week. Following this visit, the family moved back to Moroni for the second time.

Grandpa Aaron Hardy Jr., sold his ranch near Chester, Sanpete County, in the summer of 1923. Afterwards, Aaron Jr. moved his family to Southern California to be near his son, Leland, from Aaron's first marriage. Grandpa found work there. Now Virginia's parents and some sisters lived far away from Moroni.

Bart and Virginia rented a small three-room, red brick house in Moroni City. While living in this home, a second child arrived on August 9, 1924, he was named Barton Hardy Smith. At that same residence a third child, Janet, was born on April 30, 1926. While the young family resided in Moroni, Bart worked at various temporary jobs. About six weeks after Janet was born, the family moved again. This time it was to the mining town called Eureka, Utah. While there he again worked in a quartz mine. For most people living in a mining town, life was difficult and tough. A fourth child graced their family at Eureka, she was named Ada, born on November 11, 1927. Later on, Virginia remembered the hardships which the family endured and how her family missed the activities of the church at Eureka.

The quality of life was slipping while Bart sought after work. The national economy was sinking into the "Great Depression" of the 1920's and 1930's. Steady jobs were hard to locate -- hard, tough times faced millions of people in the nation and throughout the world. By September 1929, again Bart took another job, this time with a drilling crew on an exploratory oil well in Garfield County. The family had been moved to Henrieville. In a few months this job shut down. At that time, discouraged and fraught with concerns about the welfare of her young family, Virginia wrote in her journal, "I will not move again!" Henceforth, Henrieville became the family's home town.

Arrangements were made with Bart's brother, James Edward Jr., to purchase a house owned by Jim Ed and his wife, Nellie, that was located about seventy-five feet east of where the current Henrieville post office is situated. While the Bart Smith family lived in that home, two more children were born to the Smith family. Dar was born on February 27, 1931 and Connie followed on February 25, 1933.

Using present government standards to determine a family's basic economic needs -- the Bart Smith family was "poor". That indomitable spirit in both parents was tested in providing essential goods for the family. They simply tried to do the best they could with the resources available to them. Sometimes the neighbors left packages on the doorstep, in season the family harvested from the garden and the small farm. At other times, federal and state government programs assisted with food and clothing to meet the growing family's needs. These products and materials they accepted as temporary benefits because each parent wanted to preserve personal dignity and respectability. Hardship, deprivation and adversity, born in humbleness, are refining elements unto the human spirit and nobility to the human soul.

Bart was a willing worker but some of the jobs he undertook did not provide immediate monetary reward. On several jobs he was remunerated with a regular paycheck - some were local jobs, others required him to travel as far as seven hundred miles from home. Virginia, a homemaker, took sewing jobs from neighbors and friends to help add to the family income, which for the most part, was received as food and other needed goods and services. Years later she was appointed postmaster at Henrieville, which position she held for over thirty-two years. Bart, with the help of family members and neighbors, built a small grocery store which stands today. With Virginia becoming the postmaster, she needed a post office built near the store and the family home. A small post office was added onto the north side of the family store. Soon a long time dream, building a home for the family, was nearing a reality.

Three more girls and a boy blessed the marriage of Bart and Virginia. During the winter of 1936, they learned that another baby was on the way. Mother, Virginia, accepted an invitation to go with her sister, Maurene who lived in Fountain Green, Utah. While visiting with her sister Maurene Jackson, the twins arrived on April 17, 1936 in that community. Carolyn and Marilyn brought a new dimension to the Smith family. Other members of the family were needed to assist with the rearing of these girls, so Janet and Ada were given additional duties in the family. The next child, Freeman, born April 28, 1937, in the home of Grandmother Elizabeth Jennett Smith. Coincidentally, his birth occurred in the same room where his parents were married. Freeman Delano had congenital birth defects which shortened his life and he passed away on May 5, 1937. Their last child, a girl, Inez, was born in a basement room of the family home on March 13, 1941. There were now seven girls and three boys born to Bart and Virginia Smith.

During his working years, particularly those after the family settled at Henrieville, Bart worked on many jobs, work assignments and tasks. After building the store and getting it into operation, he shared with his wife the duties of the business. When Grandma Elizabeth's estate was divided among her children, Bart acquired some of the farm which was used mostly for hay, grains and pasture. His sons were taken to the farm to assist with the duties there. As a carpenter, he took small contracts in the communities and oftentimes assisted others with jobs. Several construction jobs took him far from home to such locations as Needles, California; Brigham City, Utah; Carbon County, Utah; Hawthorne, Nevada; and to the three major national parks of Bryce, Zion and Grand Canyon working on the maintenance crew for the Utah Parks Company. His work included doing such jobs as herding sheep, timbering, sawmilling, mining, blasting, carpentry, farming, construction, toy making, furniture making, laborer and being a general handyman.

Near the family store he constructed a workshop/garage where he made many pieces of furniture, cabinets, ect. for his own needs and for others.

For many years Bart did not regularly attend church services and take a spiritually active part with his family even though he had the spirit of Christ in his heart. As a young man he was active in church duties and assignments. Virginia wrote that he was a Sunday School teacher when she came to teach at Henrieville. Also, before their marriage she stated that Bart, along with his companion, an Elder Porter from Hatch, Utah served an LDS Stake mission in Panguitch, Utah. As near as can be determined his personal feelings were injured by a local church authority, and consequently affected his activity in the church for about thirty years of his life. Many children and people, who came to their grocery store left with a small treat in hand or in the mouth. If someone was in need, and if Bart Smith had what was needed, those persons usually became the benefactor of his generosity. Bart and Virginia's home was the "Grand Central Station" of Henrieville through the years.

If one did not know it, they would soon learn in conversation, that Bart was a Democrat and proud to be of that persuasion. He felt and believed that his party contributed more to the needs of the common working person than other political parties. Like his brother, Thomas, Bart could talk or gab with almost any person. He was often strongly opinionated in his philosophy of government and life. He was honest in his dealings with his fellowman and when dealings became questionable, he erred in favor of the other person.

A mighty change of heart came to Bart following an auto accident while he and Virginia were returning home with Guy and Janet Evans and daughter, Pauline. Bart and Virginia had been visiting a daughter Connie and family who lived in Iowa. While traveling in a snowstorm near Marysvale, Utah, the auto skidded off the highway, Bart was thrown from the auto and was seriously injured. Even so bad that he had an out-of-body experience in which he met his mother, who passed away in 1949. Also, he was the last of Grandfather James Edward Smith's children to have his temple work completed. For several reasons, he prepared himself and took Virginia to the St. George Temple for their endowments and temple marriage on June 23, 1964, a great day in their lives. Several of their children and spouses shared in that glorious experience.

After that accident, wellness was a little elusive and the aging processes were taking a toll. He was rushed to the Panguitch Hospital and passed away there on February 13, 1968 and was buried in the Henrieville Cemetery on February 17, 1968.

A new, smaller, single-level home was built just north of the older home by the Thompson Company and by other family members. Virginia enjoyed her new home until her passing on July 31, 1988. During Virginia's last five years, her health diminished leaving her weak and unable to fully care for herself. Her children, rather than placing her in a nursing home, decided to take turns having their mother come and live with each family. She brought much wisdom, humor, love and appreciation into each home as she shared her remaining years with family members. During a visit with the Lynn Davies family, she became seriously ill and passed away in a Bakersfield, California Hospital. She was returned to her beloved Henrieville, and laid to rest beside her husband on September , 1988. The older family home, the new home, the store and the post office were then sold to other parties.

Earlier, at a family get-to-gether, someone quipped "Dad and Mom, see what you two started!" Their posterity was increasing. So, from small beginnings greater things happen. As mentioned earlier, from the marriage of Bart and Virginia, they had ten children: Seven girls and three boys. At the time of this writing, April 1994, and as nearly possible to determine their children and their children's children are as follows:

Daughter Gloria married on August 13, 1940, Owen Dwain Clark, who was from Cannonville, and they later divorced. She met Eldon Palmer, and married him on August 12, 1946. She had two boys: Rueben D. and Barton W. from her first marriage, and they were adopted by Eldon Palmer. While living at Hawthorne, Nevada they had Elinor Jayne, and John. Eldon and Gloria divorced and she later met James Hayden in Reno, Nevada and married him on June 1, 1968. Jim died and was buried in a Reno cemetery. Gloria has lived there since. Gloria was a homemaker much of her married life. She did work outside the home at military bases in Ogden, Utah and Hawthorne, Nevada, in a home cleaning business and as a beauty saloon operator. She is a generous, loving, thoughtful and sensitive person.

Son Barton Hardy Smith married his high school sweetheart, Clora Pollock on May 13, 1943. They lived at Tropic, Utah for several years before moving to Babbitt, Nevada where he barbered. Later, he moved his family to Las Vegas where he owned several barber shops and became president of the barbers' union. While serving in that position, Hardy had a heart attack and passed away on September 28, 1969. He was buried at Henrieville. He and Clora had four children, a son and three daughters. They are: Gordon, Shaunna, Corrine and LaVonda. Hardy's hobbies were playing the guitar and singing in a band, arts and crafts, outings with his wife and family. Clora became manager of a school lunch program and later retired. Later, she met and married Lee Hardy and they live in Las Vegas. His son, Gordon, lives in Las Vegas and his three daughters live in the Utah Valley area.

Daughter Janet met Clifford Marion Howard while she was working in Ogden and married him on February 15, 1946. They moved to Kansas where he worked on a farm. That marriage produced a daughter, Pauline, but later ended in divorce. She met Guy Hyrum Evans, a native of Hatch, Utah and they were married October 19, 1947. To this new family was born two daughters: Joyce and Genice. Guy adopted Pauline. They had a home in Pleasant Grove, Utah while Guy worked many years in the machine shop at Geneva Steel. They moved their family to Henrieville and purchased the store and older family home from her parents. Janet succeeded her mother as postmaster at Henrieville and also operated the Pahreah Grocery. Guy died of leukemia in the summer of 1968 and was buried at Henrieville. Several years later, Janet met and Married Ira H. LeFevre from Panguitch, Utah on November 24, 1971. That marriage ended in a divorce several years later. Janet retired as postmaster, sold the family home and post office, and moved to Ferron, Utah to be near two of her daughters and families.

Daughter Ada was courted by George W. Thompson, fell in love with him and they were married in the St. George Temple August 25, 1943. George began his career as a teaching-principal at the Antimony Elementary School. He had to supplement his teaching pay with part-time jobs which eventually led him toward a career in the building trades. He owned the Thompson Company and eventually it grew into a larger business called Bryce Valley Supply. Ada and George built their home next to his aging parents in Cannonville. Along with the rearing of her family, Ada tended the family store and related businesses. Their sons and family members have taken charge of the family business. George was the bishop of Cannonville Ward for many years. George and Ada served a mission in Arkansas. To George and Ada were born the following children: Georgiann, Guy, Patty JO, Micki Sue, Joseph, Rachel, Nellie and George Jr.

Son Dar grew up in a family of seven girls and loved to tease them. He had a number of family chores which gave him opportunities for personal development. He enjoyed school and school activities. After attending Dixie College, he served in the US. Army, and then attended BYU, and met a home town girl, Helen Jolley. They were married in the St. George Temple on

September 17, 1954. Helen was a teacher and taught at the Park School in Spanish Fork while Dar finished his teacher preparation at the Y. He signed a contract to teach at Bryce Valley Schools in 1956. His contract was to teach a half day in the High School and a half day in the sixth grade. During the next eleven years, he taught three years, then returned to BYU for advanced training in school administration. During those years at Tropic and at Provo, they had five sons born to them. Later, after accepting an elementary principal position in St. George, two more children were born to them. Dar retired from education in 1988 and has been busy with part-time jobs since. Their children are: Gary Larson, Larry "J", Dar Larson Jr., Timothy Mckay, Lans Jolley, Kristin, and David Hardy who died as an infant.

Daughter Connie while living in Hawthorne, Nevada and working at the Hawthorne Naval Supply Depot met Robert Kleese, a U S Navy seaman, assigned to the depot. They were married at Hawthorne January 7, 1955. His military assignments later put him on duty aboard ship, at a station in the South Pacific, and at a naval base in Connecticut. Connie was a devoted wife, Mother and homemaker to her husband and children. After Bob mustered out of the navy, their family was moved to an Iowa farm to be near his parents and assist with the farm work. Their family grew to have five children, three girls and two boys. Robyn, Kolene, Rita, Kelly (deceased) and Martin. Connie and Bob divorced and she moved her family to Henrieville for several years. Connie now lives in Cedar City and works as an office secretary for the US. Forest Service. She is planning retirement in a few years.

Daughter Carolyn, a twin, met her future husband in Salt Lake City while attending the U of U. Both were studying to become educators. She married Lynn L. Davies from Fillmore (or Flowell) May 13, 1958. Lynn took a teaching position at Santa Barbara High School, and soon thereafter their family was started. He returned to the U of U for his Doctorate in Educational Administration, and later accepted an administrative position in Carlsbad, California. He became the principal of that high school and served there for several years. Next, he became Supt. of the Mojave School District and several years later became the Supt. of the Taft Union High School in Taft, California. Along with rearing her family, managing the home, being involved in church and community affairs, Carolyn has been an elementary school teacher. She and Lynn are the parents of three boys and a girl. The children are: Alan, Bradley, Carol and Derrick -- the a, b, c, d's, in the Davies family. In the near future they will retire and move to St. George, Utah.

Daughter Marilyn, a twin, met her husband while working in SLC. She married William Kay Christensen on March 7, 1958. Bill Later earned a degree at the U of U. They started their family while he was attending that school. Bill and Marilyn planned for him to seek a higher level of education in Chiropractic so the family was moved to Los Angeles area where he could attend school. After receiving his degree, the family moved to Ravenna, Ohio where he set up practice. Years later they decided to come west and settled in the San Joaquin Valley at Merced and later at Modesto. Marilyn has greatly assisted her husband's practice, been involved in civic and church affairs. She's had training in and practiced the business of electrolysis. Marilyn loves singing with groups and attending competition related to singing. Though the years their family increased in numbers. They are the parents of four children, three girls and a boy. They are: Kim, Vanette, Cheryl and Bill Jr. All of this family is currently living in central California.

Son Freeman Delano lived several days and passed away as a result of congenital birth defects. He was buried in the Henrieville Cemetery.

Daughter Inez, the youngest child, attended the Henrieville Elementary School as did her older brothers and sisters. Inez was given her name in respect for her Aunt Inez Hardy Christensen. While growing into womanhood, she became active in school and social activities. Her melodias voice provided her with many opportunities in school and church musical events. Inez was the first member of the family to serve an LDS mission. She was called to the Southwest Indian Mission where she learned to love and respect native Americans and their culture. After her mission she worked in various jobs which had her moving to different places in the United States. She met her future husband, Ivan Winberg, in SLC. They were married on April 14, 1972. They have one daughter, Jennifer. They are currently living in Kerns, Utah. Ivan is an employee of Salt Lake County road systems and Inez works in the Church Office Building assigned to the Church magazines circulation department.

Bart and Virginia's family legacy lives on in the lives of their grandchildren and great grandchildren who are largely settled in the Western United States. For the better part their descendants represent the personal integrity, hard working, God-fearing, happy and joyful traits and characteristics of their forebear's. Hopefully, they will remain true to the pioneer spirit of those family members who went on before them.