Born 8 March 1882 in Bluff, Utah, to Samuel William Mackleprang and Adelia Terry
Married William Alonzo Cook 17 October 1900
Mary Ann-Dixie
Died 24 July 1974 in Ferron
Buried in Huntington
1900 Census
1910 Census
1920 Census
1930 Census
Mary Ann wrote this personal history.
Away off in Southern Utah, amid the rock ledges and high towering mountains, a little valley is hidden. Only a few acres of level ground lies at the bottom of the towering cliffs. Then the elevation rises on all sides to a height of many hundred feet.
In early days the American Indians inhabited this spot of ground.
In the year 1878, the Leaders of our Church, sent a call to the residents of Iron County, Utah, for a company of strong men to take their families and travel eastward, to colonize South Eastern, Utah.
This counsel was obeyed. On 6th, April 1879 a band of Pioneers entered the basin, stated above. Their travels, hardships and settling may be found recorded in the history of my parents.
The place was first called “Hole In The Rocks”, later was given its permanent name, “Bluff”. Meaning rocks, and craigs, and cliffs.
The first homes were tents dugouts, brush sheds, etc. Built of log and rock. One or two room houses were soon erected for most of the families.
On the west side of the settlement stood a rock room, a brush shed on the front; a wagon box on the north side, which served as a bedroom and the home of my parents, and their six children.
In this home on the 8th of March, 1882, I made my first appearance. On my arrival, both joy and sorrow filled the hearts of my parents. Joy because I was here, and sorrow because life seemed to be uncertain.
At once I was given a “Father´s Blessing” and the name of my grandmother Terry. A week passed before I was treated as normal infants should be. My father stated, "Surely she has an important mission to perform."
In 1885, my parents received an honorable release from the mission they had been called to perform.
Feeling that they could better their conditions, they disposed of their possessions, which were few, and traveled northward, leaving behind my birth place.
Forty three years later, I visited this spot for the first time since I was three years old. Oh! What a thrill I received when I neared the place, and saw the rock room my father had built still standing, and in good condition.
The time being afternoon, and a clear day, we did not need to lie down on our backs to see the sun . . .
In the year 1923, The United States Officers were hunting for one "Old Posey," a Mexican outlaw who had been the leader in several skirmishes between the United States and Old Mexico. The outlaws were hiding in this rock room. As the Officers came down the ledges and near the place the bullets flew in fast numbers from the hole in the end of the room, that had serves as a window.
This information was received from Peter Jones of Monticello. He being one who escorted the Officers through the valley. He also took William G. Cook and wife, and myself in his car to visit my birth place in 1928.
Going Back to My Story
We arrived on Hunting sight 24 October 1885. My brother Joseph was four weeks old 20th, October. The teams, as well as the family were tired out. Winter coming on it was easier to stay than travel farther.
At once Father arranged for the south-half of block 21, then taking with him my oldest brother Samuel, went into the canyon getting logs, put up the two rooms on the west lot, and in two weeks time we had a new home.
The town sight was covered with beds of prickley pears. These were not at all comfortable to our bare feet in traveling about. As I remember all children went bare footed for several years.
My feet were more tender than some, nearly every night Mother put me face down across her knee or a chair and picked out the slivers from my feet.
One of the dresses I wore was a blue denims, make straight from the shoulders down. Buttoned all the way down the back.
My hair was long and white. I could sit on several inches of my two long braids.
Father called me his Danish girl. He took delight in teaching me to count and talk some in his native tongue.
Being light weight and very quick on foot I was his errand girl.
The only whipping I every remember of, was given me by my oldest sister Estella. She was having her courting days, and had been to a dance the night before. Her fellow had given to her a rare gift, “a hand full of candy hearts." She went in to show mother. (My mother was in bed, my sister Ada was but a few days old.” As she held them out, how my eyes popped and my mouth watered. In answer to my pleadings for some, Stella answered me thus: If there is one without a moto on you may have it. One by she read aloud. "May I see you home." "Kiss me quick" "To the girl I admire," and etc.
At once she ran to the other room, and hid them in her trunk. Latter in the day she went in town on an errand. Into my mind like a flash, prompted by evil, came that. She would not give me one so I will take them. Down into that trunk went my hand, gathering everyone to be found. I ran out back of the house calling as I went to my little brother, Joe. The two of us thouroughly injoyed those hearts. As we put the last one out of sight Estella came around the corner. I´ll leave you to guess the rest.
That evening Mother dear said, "Selfishness never pays."
The fourth year in Huntington, we moved into our new eight room adobie house. Father had painted it red on the outside. The picture of my third home. You will notice the fancy cornice all carved by my father.
My childhood home. Built in 1886, Huntington. Years later Mineral rose all over the south side of town, and the Old Home crumbled to the ground. (Joseph, Mother, Ada, Pearl and Sam by wagon.)
The next year I was seven. My father died, leaving Mother with ten children, the youngest only three months old. The next few years I have tried to forget. I will relate only a few outstanding incidents.
Joseph B. Meeks had loaned a cow to Mother to milk. This happened the summer I was eight years old. My brother Joe and I were given the job to herd the cow west of town. Each day we reluctantly followed those trails. Joe usually got to hang to her tail.
The Lucern or Alphalfa had grown a foot height in places along the ditch tanks. This particular morning, try as we did to keep the cow going, she ate her fill then put the finishing touch by taking a drink of water. Soon we see she was sick. We tried to drive her home. As soon as she fell I ran crying to Mother. When we retuned to the spot the cow was dead. I thought it strange for Mother to cry and feel so badly. I knew I would get out of herding her. And the old thing only gave part of a little pan of milk. Mother always had to finish filling the pan with water to make enough to go around on our corn meal mush at night for supper.
Later when (60) or (80) washings had to be done at 50 cents each, I began to realize why Mother had cried over an old cow dying. Mother paid $60, in work, Debts always had to be paid at our house.
Well do I remember stripping Cane. Mother would arrange for fields to strip and for her pay would receive Molasses for winter. She would take all us children, who were large enough, into the fields we went and with a good stick in wither hand would strip leaves all day; day after day until the job was done.
The winter I was eleven years old, I had been in school but a short time, when my eyes got sore. Glasses would of corrected the condition, those we could not afford, so I was taken out of school. I spent most of the winter with Alonzo E. Wall´s family, washing dishes and caring for her baby. I received one dollar per week. This was my first introduction of earning money. How proud I was of that first pair of shoes purchased with my own money.
Our neighborhood was full of boys and girls, of my age. And many were the house parties Mother allowed us to have. Always perfering us to have them come to our home, than else where. Wise, she was in knowing how we were conducting ourselves.
I continued in the District School, finishing the Sixth reader. The next step in Education given was the Seminary, for this Tuition was charged so I could not go.
The spring I was thirteen years old I obtained a position in the Coop store as clerk. Assistant to Julia Westover. Levi Harmon was manager. For two reasons I was greatful, first I was able to earn my way in the world, and second, the work came perfectly natural to me, and I liked it.
After one year Julia quit, leaving me alone with the work.
The manager proving my efficiency, and willingness he added more and more to my already busy day. My days began when the store opened in the morning and closed with it at night.
One time a Geologist came enthusing Levi with mine developments. He went with this man into the mountains of Southern Utah. For five days leaving me with the responsibility of the grainery, safe, taking care of customers, etc. Brother Albert Guymon the Board President, came in one morning, on learning of the situation, he soon rustled help. From then on there were two clerks. The eight hour day law, for ladies was not passed for many years later.
There is a cast difference in clerkship to day and thirty-five years ago. I worked here until I was married in Oct. 1900. Receiving the following wages per month, $15, $16, and $18 dollars.
The spring following my marriage, Mr. Levi Harmon lost his job, went to Price, took over a store there. He came to my home and offered me $10 dollars a week if I would clerk for him. My husband was insulted and said No, she has graduated.
Before leaving this subject will recard one of my pranks that comes to mind. It was in the summer time. One morning after dusting the store I put out several sheets of Fly Paper, on the extended shelf which was the same height as the counter. The manager came from breakfast, his greeting was get your book (my reminder book) and we will make out an order for goods. I was not in the best of humor toward him that morning, while I was getting my book He went around back of the counter purched himself up on the shelf with his feet resting on the counter.
Soon a man came into talk to him, as he got down he carried a full size sheet of Fly Paper on the seat of his pants… and did I laugh. I´ll say I did. He was one of those kind who cannot take a joke well, so he cussed. I was surely glad I was not alone, else I would have had to of smothered that laugh and I know it would of choked me.
Like all other cooperative businesses, I know of, This store went busted, partly through the management of Mr. Harmon. Many widows had means invested there, Esther Grange, and Mother received twenty cents on the dollar for their stock. My father had put fifty dollars into the Coop to accumilate before his death.
The north half still stands. Latter this store became knows as the “Oleander store” with Bish Ole Johnson, my brothers half brother as manager and Andrew Anderson as peddler and deliverer.
Where I worked from time I became 13 years old until I was married, 17 Oct. 1900.
Levi, the manager, was stern and hard, no jokes, just work. No play. Once in a while I abandoned rules. This morning I put out the fly paper early, there were so many flies, I recall relating this story earlier in my history. I sure laugh whenever I think about it, and want to add a note to what I already said; Levi perching himself on the shelf and his feet on the counter as a matter of habit, after some minutes he and the business man (drummer) decided to go into the office to talk business. As he stood up and felt the Fly-paper stick fast, he looked for me, screaming, "Come get this off," blaming me for putting it where he sat. I was down under the counter all the time choaking down laughing out loud. Well I tried, it would not come off. He had to go home to change those new gray trousers, cussing a streak, while the Drummer and I laughed.
Soon after hiring Maggie Wood as assistant clerk, Levi bought the old Abe Hammond Jewelry Store, 1 ½ blocks down the street. Took the general goods from the Coop. Store, put in it and told me to go down, run this little new store to suit myself, make all I could. And each night bring the money up to the Safe, for safe keeping overnight. I named it "The Working Man´s Store." Did well. Next step this store was added to the General Store.
Levi, then started a store in Price, and wanted me to go the Lese and run it, offering me a big wage. But my young man had other plans. (William Alonzo Cook) We were married the following 17 Oct. 1900. I have never regretted not living a merchants life. Levi died a hard death, in Idaho, some years latter. Time will heal all things.
I had been working in the store some years. One day a Drummer, or salesman as they are now known, came. Mr. Saul Rosenbaum. He having been at the store several times before. I spoke to him as usual. He returned a very warm greeting.
That evening we were to dance, not as partners though. The following day he spent several hours in the store. That day he made a very special offer of Secenty-five dollars a month, if I would go to Salt Lake and work in his store. He seemed a perfect gentleman and I had no fear. How thrilled I was over his offer. I could scarecely wait to get home to tell Mother.
Me being th oldest girl at home I slept with Mother. After going to bed at night, we had our heart to heart talks. This night I presented Mr. Rosenbaum´s proposition with much enthusiasm. Comparing my present wage with $75 a month. Relating what extra comforts for home; more education for the younger children, and more pleasure it would bring. Mother calmly answered, “Well, I will think about it.”
Many years have passed, and as I sit here and think and write, my whole being is filled with emotion. Those sleepless nights I caused my Mother. Little did I know then the worries mothers have with their children. This night she had a battle to fight. Knowing my efficiency in that line of work, my craving to go on to something bigger in life. To be able to help in so many ways. And was it right that Sam my eldest brother, should continue to put all of his earnings into the family. (He herded sheep fo r the other fellow for fourteen years. The family used his wages, $30 a month). Here was an opportunity. MaryAnn was willing to shoulder her brothers load while he accumulated for himself. Then to live in the big city. (Salt Lake City). Then she considered the other view; she is young full of life. The long days of confinement, hard work, was saping my health away.
Many was the day, from eight in the morning until nine at night I have kept on the go, went home, dressed for a ball and danced much of the night. (I inherited that dancing spirit from my father) Surely this was not in harmony with health.
And should she go to Salt Lake, that would be the last of her. As she read this man, he was hunting for a wife, with the same trend of mind in business as well as a clerk. Above all he was not of our faith. For a mormon girl to take a step of this kind would be a crime and disgrace. She knew my mind was foreign to marriage, but she thought he would take me far away, and in time win his point. This was the battle she passed through while I lay asleep.
As the morning broke and the first rays of sun peeped through the curtain, an arm slid under my hear, that awakened me. I heard Mother say, “MaryAnn my dear girl, I want to talk to you before its time to get up”. And calmly, but firmly, she stated, “I cannot let you go to Salt Lake with this man. In time that extra money would make Hell instead of Heaven for you”. This decision was breakfast enough for me. So we talked until time for to go.
It took sometime for me to bring myself in harmony with this decision. But I never remember of knowingly disobeying my mother.
My disadvantage in higher schooling, was some what made up to me in Social and Religious training. The opportunities came early in my teens, to work in the Ward Primary and Sunday School. Was Secretary in the Sunday School sometime after I was married.
I attribute these priviledges, as a sage guard in youth as well as educational.
The young people always associated in groups or crowds. Our crowd was the uppertowners, fortunate for us, most of the boys of our age in town were in our crowd.
There is nothing in the pleasure line that can equal those home parties. Molasses candy pullings, Baseball games and Hay-Rack rides, and etc. Clean and happy.
Yes, there was, temptation and evil, but not so much as in latter years. When I was 14 years old a fancy Hotel and Saloon, came into existence. Evil spread fast. Some of our good Mormon girls were led astray.
It was not customary for parents to choose the husband for daughters, but in my particular case the rule was suspended. For sometime I had been keeping company with a young man. Mother had noted his virtues. Especially was he kind to the poor, widow and orphan. Showing curtesy to his mother and sisters. Many times she had tried to impress me with his virtues and promising future. Had paved the way for him even before he came the first time. I knew she was in love with him and knew he loved me, so I held them both at bay. I was not in the market.
I felt I was equal to the store job, to stand are walk continueously, from eight A.M. to nine P.M., go home, dress for a Ball and Dance two thirds of the night. (eight hour days for girls was not passed until about 1910, conveniences in store work was much different then than now-a-days). Why should I settle down.
One day he was tiding with other men. One said, “What kind of a box will “Billy” be in now, if his girl quits him." (It was not common to have the cage before the bird)
Old Lee Lemmons, (gruff and common, but a fine character) replied, “Hugh! He will be in a dam good fix to get another.”
Well tight is might, if one has good staying qualities.
One night after a party, where I had been hateful as heck. Wes, I was mean in my actions. After I want to bed Mother could read it all. In our talk, she ask me what was the great mountain before me. (girls were not instructed on those delicate subjects as they are today) I said, “Mother, you have ten children, his Mother has thirteen. Now if I have got to live on a farm and be tied down with twenty-three, I am not on the marry. She laughed at this remark, then explained many truths, and finished with, “You will not have the privilege of caring for more than six. Their training will be easier if they have the right kind of a father."
Strange it may seem, Mother´s statement was correct to the letter. As I think back now, How thankful I am for our six bright spirits that have been entrusted to our care. (Had misfortune not come our number would have been eight). And I thank God for them. I pray for strength to be a true mother, that not one act of mine will check their progress nor happiness in life.
August 1900, I rook a vacation. Sam, my eldest brother took Mother and I, in the wagon to Southern Utah to visit father´s and mother´s relatives. We had a very enjoyable time, receiving a warm welcome at each stop.
I met many young people, one especially, John Tullis of Pinto. He showed me a good time and came as far as Cedar City on our return.
I had found that absence as well as rivals brings one to a realization of truths and helps to decide problems. I wrote my young man, William Alonzo Cook, to meet us at Manti. 16th October we arrived safe, but tired and homesick. It was raining hard. What did that matter, he had come.
The next morning we turned our thoughts and steps toward the Temple, 17 October 1900.
Away off in Southern Utah, amid the rock ledges and high towering mountains, a little valley is hidden. Only a few acres of level ground lies at the bottom of the towering cliffs. Then the elevation rises on all sides to a height of many hundred feet.
In the early days the American Indians inhabited this land.
In the year of 1878, the leaders of the church, sent a call to the residents of Iron County, Utah, for a company of strong men to take their families and travel eastward, to colonize South Eastern, Utah.
The place was first called "Hole in the Rock," later was given its permanent name, "Bluff." Meaning rocks, and craigs, and cliffs.
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