Collegiate Grad of BYU, Class of 1911. G. L. Luke. He earned a B.A. Degree in 1911. Source: Annual Record, B.Y. University (BYU Records Office), Book 5, p. 95. ~ ~ ~ ~ BYA Beaver Branch ~ Murdock Academy, Faculty & Staff. George Leroy Luke, of Manti and Beaver, Utah. ~ ~ ~ ~ Memoirs of E. E. Erickson, second principal of BYA/Murdock Academy: "George Luke, teacher of physics and mathematics, was also a man of principles and fine character. He did not maintain the silent dignity of the two men previously mentioned [Reinhard Maeser & Alfred Durham], for which I was grateful. From him I learned about the things that went wrong as well as the things that deserved commendation. He became my advisor on administrative matters and my personal friend. He was also the campus handyman, taking care of the plumbing and repairs in general. If anything went wrong we always called George." ~ ~ ~ ~ George Leroy Luke was born November 3, 1881 in Manti, Utah [living in Junction, Piute County, Utah in 1904]. His parents were William Haydock Luke and Annie Martine Ottoson. George married Adella Connell on June 29, 1904 in Salt Lake City, Utah [she was living in Parowan, Iron County, Utah in 1904]. After living in Beaver Utah while he taught at the Murdock Academy in Beaver, Utah, the family moved to Twin Falls, Idaho. G. L. Luke died September 8, 1963 in Twin Falls, Idaho.

B. Y. Academy Collegiate Class of 1898, and Faculty. Karl F. Reinhard Maeser. He received the Bachelor of Pedagogy degree (B. Pd.) in Spring of 1898. Source: Students Record of Class Standings B. Y. Academy, Book 1, page 140. ~ ~ ~ ~ Reinhard Maeser, English teacher, 1901-1906, 1920-1921. ~ ~ ~ ~ Karl Frederick Reinhard Maeser was born March 19, 1855 in Dresden, Saxony, Germany. His parents were Karl Gottfried Maeser and Anna Henrietta Theresa Mieth. He first married Mary Eliza Friel on May 27, 1880 in Salt Lake City, Utah. He second married Sarah Caroline Shepherd on June 16, 1882 in St. George, Utah. He died on September 17, 1926 in Provo, Utah. Interment, Provo, Utah. ~ ~ ~ ~ Memoirs of E. E. Ericksen, second principal of BYA Beaver Branch ~ Murdock Academy: "There were teachers of wisdom on the Murdock campus. Reinhard Maeser, son of Utah's premier educator Karl G. Maeser, had taught English at the academy from its inception [1898]. He was in his fifties when I became principal and was the wisest person on the campus next to Mrs. Maeser. These two and their eight children lived in the woods not far from school. They were near enough to campus to see and hear what was going on but far enough away from its disturbing elements. He knew the strengths and weaknesses of every teacher. His only weaknesses were being the son of Karl G. [Maeser] and wanting to be principal. The first was no fault of his and the second was due to the fact that his friends — and some who were not his friends — were forever telling him that he should be principal. He did eventually become the principal and had the honor of going down with the boat [1920s]. In this he unfortunately showed a lack of wisdom, and I was compelled to tell him so."

BYA Beaver Branch ~ Murdock Academy, Faculty & Staff. Howard Maughan. Served as the final principal of Murdock Academy for two years from 1920 to 1922. ~ ~ ~ ~ Howard John Maughan was born on September 3, 1891 in Logan, Utah. His parents were Peter Weston Maughan and Mary Lucinda Naef Maughan. Howard married Eldora Catherina Johnson on September 4, 1912 in Logan, Utah. Howard J. Maughn died on May 20, 1965 in Logan, Utah. His interment, Logan, Utah.

BYA Beaver Branch ~ Murdock Academy, Class of 1917? Marie McGregor. ~ ~ ~ ~ HER OBITUARY: Marie McGregor Clark, age 95, died Thursday, August 17, 1995 in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was born September 30, 1899 in Parowan, Utah, to Dr. Joseph Franklin McGregor and Lena Isabella Durham McGregor. She was married to Hiram W. Clark, who died in Denver, Colorado in 1939. Marie grew up in Southern Utah, where her father was, at various times, an attorney and later a family physician in Parowan, Richfield, Utah and Beaver, Utah. Dr. McGregor moved his family to Beaver so the children could attend Murdock Academy. Marie graduated from Murdock Academy, and later attended LDS Business College and the University of Utah. Marie met her husband Hiram through mutual friends, and they were married May 21, 1920 in Salt Lake City, (later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple). Hiram had degrees in both mechanical and electrical engineering, and he was one of Salt Lake's first environmental engineers, and also taught at the University of Utah. Hiram and Marie lived in the 33rd Ward for nine years, during which time their two daughters, Betty and Elaine were born. Hiram's career took him to Denver in 1929, where he was district engineer-sales manager for several states for a large manufacturing company. While in Denver, Marie became very active in Relief Society work, first as a Denver Branch counselor and later president, and subsequently as counselor to Ada Pratt Seegmiller, wife of Western States Mission President, William Seegmiller. At the time, this mission covered most of Colorado, Nebraska, Wyoming, Arizona and New Mexico (there were no stakes in Denver at that time), and the calling involved travel throughout the mission. After the death of her husband in 1939, Marie moved to Provo, Utah so her two daughters could attend BYU. While there she again served in several Relief Society callings, including Relief Society President in the Provo Fourth Ward. She was also active in literary clubs and other cultural groups in Provo. Her daughters graduated from BYU (Betty as valedictorian in 1943 and Elaine with a "rare-for-a-woman" math/physics major in 1944). Both Betty and Elaine were married in 1943; Betty to G. Robert Ruff and Elaine to George S. Robison. Marie moved back to Salt Lake City into the Eleventh Ward neighborhood, where Dr. McGregor and his family had lived for many years. Marie lived in various residences, all in the 11th Ward of the Salt Lake Central stake, for 49 years. Marie worked for the Relief Society Magazine for some 30 years. Marie is survived by brothers: Claude Eldon (and wife Athens) Salt Lake City; Dean Lowell (wife Jeanette) Renton, Washington; Arden Durham, Northern California; Marvin Durham (wife Edith) Palo Alto, California; two sisters, Helen and Julia McGregor in Jackson, Wyoming; 11 grandchildren, 46 great-grandchildren and five great- great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held on Tuesday, August 22, 1995, at the Eleventh Ward, 951 East 1st South, Salt Lake City, Utah. Her interment, beside her husband in the Salt Lake City Cemetery. [Deseret News, Sunday, August 20, 1995.]

BYA Beaver Branch ~ Murdock Academy, Class of 1910. Nellie Muir. Source: Program, Commencement Exercises, 1910.

BYA Beaver Branch ~ Murdock Academy (namesake) ~ Honorary. John Riggs Murdock was born on September 13, 1826 in Orange, Ohio [Cuyahoga County]. His parents were John Murdock and Julia Clapp Murdock. Bishop John Murdock married at least leave five times: To Sarah Edwards, date and place not yet known; To Axey Rettinghouse on January 15, 1848; To Almira Henrietta Lott on November 13, 1849 in Salt Lake City, Utah; To Polly Emeline Lamb, on January 27, 1857; To May Bain, on January 10, 1863; and to Mary Ellen Wolfenden also on January 10, 1863 [she died in December 1863]. Bishop Murdock purchased half of the land and facilities needed to start the Beaver Branch of the Brigham Young Academy, which became Murdock Academy in 1908 in his honor. John R. Murdock died on November 12, 1913 in Milford, Utah [Beaver County]. His interment, Beaver, Utah. ~ ~ ~ ~ BIOGRAPHY: John Riggs Murdock was born in Orange, Ohio, Sept. 13, 1826 the son of John and Julia Clapp Murdock. His mother died when he was five years old and John was placed in the home of Morris Phelps where he was very welcome since they had no son of their own. The Phelps family moved from Jackson County to a farm near Far West where John was given the responsibility of running the farm. When he was thirteen years old he was entrusted with driving one hundred head of cattle the entire distance across the state of Missouri into Illinois, more than 200 miles much of the way through rain and mud. John then joined his father in Nauvoo. He enlisted in the Mormon Battalion July 16, 1846 when he was not yet twenty years of age. After he was mustered out he met his father's family in Salt Lake City, Oct. 2, 1847. The family built a home of adobe, while John secured employment cutting timber and farming. He married Almira Lott Nov. 12, 1849 and they settled in Lehi on forty acres of farm land. In 1861 John was called to take charge of a church train, consisting of 33 wagons to go to Florence, Nebraska and meet the Saints who were coming west. Accordingly, John traveled to Florence, met the 500 people and returned safely to the valley, arriving Sept. 12, 1861. He made eleven trips across the plains to bring emigrants to Utah. He was a most successful driver of oxen and mules. In 1864 he was called to make his home in Beaver, where he was ordained Bishop. He was elected a member of the Territorial Legislature and re-elected four consecutive terms. He was also a member of the Territorial Convention that drafted a Constitution for the State of Utah. He was the founder of the Church academy at Beaver, an appendage to the then Brigham Young Academy at Provo. Mr. Murdock was instrumental in organizing a co-operative woolen factory and a mercantile co-operative institution, with a capital stock of $20,000. In 1881 he was made President of the Beaver Stake of Zion, and later was ordained a patriarch. His passing occurred Nov. 12, 1913, thus ending the vigorous life of one of the most rugged of pioneer men.

Murdock Academy, Beaver, Utah, Circa 1911. Utah Senator Abram (Abe) Murdock, Jr. - Orrice Abram Murdock, Jr. (July 18, 1893 - September 15, 1979) was a United States Representative and Senator from Utah. He was born in Austin, Lander County, Nevada on July 18, 1893. His parents were Orris Abram Murdock, Sr., and Cinda Robinson Murdock. Young Abram moved with his parents to Beaver, Utah [their hometown] in 1898, attended the public schools and graduated from Brigham Young Academy ~ Murdock Academy [circa 1911] in Beaver. He then attended the University of Utah at Salt Lake City. He studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1922, commencing practice in Beaver. He was a member of the Beaver City Council in 1920 and 1921, and was County Attorney in 1923-1924, 1927-1928, and 1931-1932. He was City Attorney of Beaver from 1926 to 1933, and was a Democratic candidate for district attorney for the fifth Utah district in 1928, but was not elected. Murdock was elected as a Democrat to the Seventy-third Congress and was reelected to the three succeeding Congresses, serving from March 4, 1933 to January 3, 1941. He was not a candidate for reelection in 1940, having become a candidate for the U.S. Senate; he was elected as a Democrat to the Senate in 1940 and served from January 3, 1941, to January 3, 1947; he ran for reelection in 1946 and when he did not win, he resumed the practice of law and engaged in agricultural pursuits and livestock raising. From 1947 to 1957, he was a member of the National Labor Relations Board and in 1960 was a member of the Atomic Energy Labor-Management Relations Panel. He died of natural causes in Bethesda, Maryland in 1979. His interment, in Mountain View Cemetery, Beaver. ~ ~ ~ ~ Abram Murdock 1941-47, Utah Senator for 6 years. Born in Nevada, Murdock moved to Beaver when he was 5 years old. On October 2, 1913, Abe married Mary Violet Yardley in Beaver, Utah. She was born on Christmas, December 25, 1892, in Beaver, Utah. Mary Violet Yardley Murdock died on September 4, 1962. Her interment, Mountain View Cemetery, Beaver, Utah. After serving on the Beaver City Council and as attorney for Beaver County, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1932. Murdock's Senate term commenced after eight years of service in the House.

BYA Beaver Branch ~ Murdock Academy, Class of 1910. Mayme Oakden. Source: Program, Commencement Exercises, 1910. ~ ~ ~ ~ Mayme (May) Oakden was born February 3, 1889, in Beaver, Utah. She would have been about 21 years old in 1910 -- late high school or early college age. Her parents: Charles Tyler Oakden and Anna May Allred Oakden. She married Frank Reeves Liston on May 15, 1912, in Escalante, Garfield County, Utah. She died on December 11, 1930. Her interment, Escalante City Cemetery.

BYA Beaver Branch ~ Murdock Academy, Faculty & Staff. Miss Mamie Olerton. ~ ~ ~ ~ Memoirs of E. E. Erickson, second principal of BYA Beaver ~ Murdock Academy: "Miss Mamie Olerton, who recommended me for the position, was most anxious that I make good and seemed not to be disappointed. She said little but did advise the dismissal of John McQuarrie—a good man, former president of the Eastern States Mission, and friend of Josiah Hickman, but totally unqualified to teach English."

BYA Beaver Branch ~ Murdock Academy, Class of 1916? Erma Osborn. ~ ~ ~ ~ HER OBITUARY: Erma Osborn Gillies Cline, widow of retired Milford attorney and banker Sam Cline, passed away at the home of a granddaughter in Bountiful, July 8, 1994, of causes incident to age. The oldest of seven children of Frank Lorin Osborn, Sr. and Edith Ellen Slaughter Osborn, Erma was born February 7, 1898 in Salt Lake City. She was a descendant of James H. and Eveline Walker Rollins, Samuel N. and Annie E. Huey Slaughter, and other LDS pioneers of Beaver County. Her father followed the mining tradition established by his Grandfather Rollins, who was sent by Brigham Young during the Johnston's Army period to help develop the first lead mine in Southern Utah. Erma's childhood and early teenage years were divided between the Salt Lake area and the mining town of Frisco in western Beaver County. She met Ward Albin (Scrib) Gillies at Murdock Academy in Beaver and married him July 16, 1916 in Frisco. Three children were born to Scrib and Erma in Beaver. The first child, Julia, died in infancy. Scrib died in Salt Lake City January 31, 1924. Erma became manager of the telephone office in Milford, Beaver County, later that year. Erma married Sam Cline January 4, 1935, and they lived in Milford until Sam retired from his law practice in the early 1970's. They then settled in Salt Lake City. Sam died December 18, 1981. Erma strongly supported and complemented Sam's activities in the state bar and banker's associations and in various service clubs and Masonic organizations. She was a member of the LDS Church and of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers, and has been active in the Business and Professional Women's Club, the Salt Lake Council of Women, Hadassah, and other community organizations. An excellent cook and hostess, she enjoyed entertaining her friends and feeding her children and grandchildren. She is survived by a daughter, Marie G. (Mrs. M. Dell) Madsen, Salt Lake City; a son, Dan F. Gillies (wife Theo), St. George; 8 grandchildren; 41 great- grandchildren; 16 great- great- grandchildren; two sisters, Aileen O. Conger, Las Vegas, Nevada, and Myrtle O. Mills, Orem; and numerous nieces and nephews and their decendants. Funeral services were held Tuesday, July 12, 1994, at the Salt Lake Eagle Gate Stake Center, 135 A Street, Salt Lake City, Utah. The family suggested contributions to the Alzheimer's Association, 455 East 400 South, #208, Salt Lake City, Utah 84111. Interment, Beaver City Cemetery, Beaver, Utah. [Deseret News, Sunday, July 10, 1994.]

Ernest B. Partridge - Served as the first principal of Murdock Academy, also known as the Beaver Branch of Brigham Young Academy. He served as principal from 1898 to 1900. He was followed as principal by Andrew B. Anderson, who served for six years from 1901 to 1907.

BY Academy Collegiate Class of 1897, and 1901, Faculty. Ernest D. Partridge. Received the degree of Bachelor of Didactics (B.D.) in May of 1897. Source: The (Provo) Daily Enquirer, May 27, 1897. ~ ~ ~ ~ BYA, BYH & BYU Faculty & Staff. Ernest DeAlton Partridge, Agriculture, Mathematics, and Theology. 1897-1923. ~ ~ ~ ~ B. Y. Academy Collegiate Graduate, Class of 1901. Ernest Partridge. Received Bachelor of Pedagogy (B.S.) Degree in Spring of 1901. Source: Students Record of Class Standings B. Y. Academy, Book 1, Page 13. ~ ~ ~ ~ [See mentions in profiles of Elva Crosbie, BYH Class of 1921, and his daughter, Ruth Louise Partridge, BYH Class of 1916?] ~ ~ ~ ~ E. D. Partridge served as the first principal of the Brigham Young Academy Beaver Branch, beginning in 1898. Twenty-eight students registered for the opening session under Ernest D. Partridge, principal. By the third year, enrollment had climbed to 215.

Class of 1913. Alma Wilford Richards. Graduated from Brigham Young High School in the Academic Department. ~ ~ ~ ~ Class of 1913. Alma W. Richards. He received a High School Diploma in 1913. Source: Annual Record, B.Y. University, Book 6, page 380. ~ ~ ~ ~ Alma W. Richards is an Olympic champion, and the most accomplished athlete in the history of Brigham Young High School. Source: 1913 BYU Banyan yearbook, BYH section, pages 63-81. ~ ~ ~ ~ See his website biography. ~ ~ ~ ~ Alma Wilford Richards was born on February 20, 1890 in Parowan, Utah. His parents were Morgan Richards and Margaret Adams Richards. Alma married three times: First, to Marian Gardiner on March 30, 1918. They were later divorced. He second married Anita Gertrude Huntimer in August of 1932. They were later divorced. He third married Lenore Catherine Griffin on June 25, 1948. Alma W. Richards died on April 3, 1963 in Long Beach, California, at the age of 73. His interment, Parowan, Utah. ~ ~ ~ ~ A track star from Brigham Young High School became Utah's first Olympic champion. July 8, 1912, in Stockholm, Sweden, marked a great moment in BYH history. That's when Alma Richards sailed over a bar 6'4" high to win first place in the running high jump at the fifth modern Olympic games. Richards was a student at Brigham Young High School when he went to Chicago to try out for and, though virtually unknown, make the U.S. Olympic team. Some athletes trained on the ship that took them to Europe, but Richards felt that his event was not suited to shipboard practice so he just relaxed. He began intensive training in Antwerp, where the team had a layover, and continued to train until his event was called. During the competition, as the bar was moved higher, Richards required the full three attempts allowed to clear 6'1", 6'2", and 6'3". When the bar was moved up to 6'4", he later told an audience in Provo, he felt discouraged and chilled. But, he continued, "Then I thought of the B.Y.U., Utah and my friends there, and the old United States and made the spurt—and chill and all went over the bar in the first attempt." Richards excelled at many track and field events, including the broad jump, pole vault, shot put, discus, and the 100 and 400 meter races, and competed until 1932. During his career he set 55 records. Besides his Olympic feat, other major achievements included decathlon champion at the National AAU meet in San Francisco in 1915 and high point honors at the Inter-Allied World Games in Paris in 1919. Born in Parowan, Utah, on February 20, 1890, to Morgan and Margaret Adams Richards, Alma Richards attended Murdock Academy, graduated from Brigham Young High School, attended Brigham Young University, graduated from Cornell University, and received a law degree from the University of Southern California. He served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Army during World War I. Although he was admitted to the California Bar, he elected to teach school rather than practice law. He died in Long Beach, California, on April 3, 1963, survived by his wife, Lenore Griffin, a son, and three daughters.

BYA Beaver Branch ~ Murdock Academy, Class of 1920? Kate Robinson. ~ ~ ~ ~ HER OBITUARY: Kate Robinson Joseph, 87, died February 5, 1990 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Born February 21, 1902 in Beaver, Utah to John Wilford and Emma Smith Robinson. Married Walter Stanley Joseph, August 30, 1922 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. He died March 7, 1988. Kate was an active member of the LDS Church. She was a graduate of the Murdock Academy and attended the McKune School of Music in Salt Lake City. Member of the B.P.W. Club and taught piano lessons in Beaver for many years. Past president of the American Legion Auxiliary. Survived by two daughters and a son: Mrs. Margaret Gillies Andrews, Sacramento, California; Keith W. and his wife, Beverly, Salt Lake City; Mrs. Collin (Karma) Smith, Arvada, Colorado; 11 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; three great- great- grandchildren. Funeral services were held Friday, February 9, 1990, in the Beaver 3rd 4th LDS Ward Chapel. Interment, Mountain View Cemetery, Beaver, Utah. [Deseret News, Tuesday, February 6, 1990.]

BYA Beaver Branch ~ Murdock Academy, Class of 1922 ~ Honorary. John Victor Rogers. ~ ~ ~ ~ HIS OBITUARY: Kanosh -- John Victor Rogers passed quietly away at Godfrey's Foothill Retreat on Thursday, March 23, 2000 in Brigham City, Utah. Vic Rogers was born in Kanosh, Millard County, Utah on October 11, 1904 to John Alexander Rogers and Mary Elizabeth Barney. He was the youngest of four children: Blanche Agnes Rogers Atwood, Ofie "J" Rogers, and Henry Lynn Rogers, all of whom are deceased. Vic went to elementary in Kanosh and then attended Murdock Academy in Beaver, Utah for one year at 15 years of age [1919?]. He lived on very little and was often cold and hungry. The next two years he boarded in Fillmore to attend Millard County High School and graduated May 23, 1924. Times were difficult and work was hard to find. Vic ended up finding work in Los Angeles, California, with the railroad (Pacific Fruit Express) loading ice onto refrigerator cars, then painting box cars, and then doing carpentry work. He was laid off each fall and would return home to help his father on the farm. While in Los Angeles he was a stake missionary for the Hollywood Stake, Garvanza Ward, and met Lillian Stead, a convert to the Church from England and also a stake missionary. They were married in Los Angeles on March 27, 1937, and sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on October 12, 1937, when Vic had vacation time from work. After Vic's parents died, he moved his family to Kanosh and ran the family farm. He worked as a farmer, school bus driver, church custodian, raised chickens and turkeys, worked at the Fillmore feed mill, and then for the U.S. Forest Service. Vic and Lillian raised five children, then served two temple missions at the Manti Temple and a full-time proselytizing mission in 1982-83 in the Little Rock, Arkansas Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Lillian died in St. George on May 15th 1993. He is survived by his children: David L. Rogers of River Heights, Utah; Lillis Rogers Byers of Salt Lake City; Kathie Rogers Smith of Brigham City, Utah; John S. Rogers of West Jordan, Utah; and D. Craig Rogers of Moreno Valley, California. Funeral Services were held Monday, March 27, (the date of his wedding anniversary), 2000, in the Kanosh Ward Chapel in Kanosh, Utah with Bishop Cleve Christensen officiating. Interment, Kanosh Cemetery, Utah. Although we are going to miss Dad, we know he is happily reunited with his family on the other side. [Deseret News, Sunday, March 26, 2000.]

Class of 1920? Nell Roper. Loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, Nell Roper Wilkey, age 94, passed away November 7, 1997 in Salt Lake City. Born November 29, 1902 in Oak City, Utah, daughter of Charlie and Ann Jane Dutson Roper. Married Harry C. Wilkey, July 16, 1927 in Salt Lake City; later solemnized in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. He preceded her in death May 24, 1954. Nell attended the Murdock Academy and then Brigham Young Academy. [Note: Brigham Young Academy ceased to exist in 1903 -- probably referring to Brigham Young High School.] She has given many years of service to her community and church. She worked at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center for 12 years. She retired in 1968. After retiring, she served as a Pink Lady at UVRMC for 12 years. She has served for many years in the West Utah Stake Relief Society. She loved her family. She also enjoyed her yard, especially her beautiful rose garden, which was admired by all who passed by it. Survived by her children, Renee (Barclay) Gardner, West Valley City; Ladd H. (Sue) Wilkey, Provo; six grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by her husband, parents, three brothers, and three sisters. Funeral services were held Monday, November 10, 1997, in Provo, Utah. Interment, Provo City Cemetery. [Deseret News, Saturday, November 8, 1997]

Class of 1921. Kathryn Smith. She received a BYH Normal Certificate in 1921. Source: Annual Record, B.Y. University, Book 10, page 392. ~ ~ ~ BYA Beaver Branch ~ Murdock Academy, Class of 1920. Kathryn Smith. ~ ~ ~ ~ HER OBITUARY: Kathryn Smith Gilbert, (98), of Salt Lake City, Utah died May 22, 2001 at home in Salt Lake City. She was born July 1, 1902 in Beaver City, Utah, a daughter of Robert H. and Caroline Carlow Smith. She married Alonzo Jesse Gilbert on February 21, 1947 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. He died October 11, 1967. Kathryn graduated from the Murdock Academy in Beaver and from the Teachers College at BYU. She attended summer schools in Berkeley, California, Mexico City, the University of Washington in Seattle, and BYU in Provo, Utah. She began her teaching in the Beaver schools and later taught in Provo, Cedar City and Salt Lake City. She was a member of the LDS Church and was active in many of its organizations. She taught the MIA Gleaner Girls for 15 years, was a ward Relief Society president, a Primary teacher, a member of the Primary General Board for ten years, and later a member of the Relief Society General Board, where she wrote simplified lessons for the Island Relief Societies and the Indian Relief Societies. She traveled extensively throughout the United States and Europe on her General Board assignments. After her retirement she was active in the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers and the Penny campaigns for the Primary Children's Medical Center, and in various civic and social organizations. She is survived by her sisters, Ila Higham, Kearns, Utah; and Iva Fink, Burbank, California; and 20 nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held Friday, May 25, 2001 at the Monument Park 2nd Ward, 1005 S. 2000 E., Salt Lake City. Her interment, Mountain View Cemetery in Beaver. [Deseret News, Thursday, May 24, 2001.]

BYA Beaver Branch ~ Murdock Academy, Class of 1919? Oral Stoney. ~ ~ ~ ~ HER OBITUARY: Oral Stoney Burdett, 88, passed away, Wednesday, September 5, 1990, in a Salt Lake nursing home. Born October 27, 1901, American Fork, Utah, to Charles T. and Lois Crosby Stoney. She married James L. Burdett, June 27, 1934, in the Salt Lake LDS Temple; he preceded her in death July 14, 1983. She attended school in Beaver, and graduated from the Murdock Academy. Clerical secretary for the Utah State Insurance Commission for many years and retired from the Salt Lake Board of Education in 1966. Active member LDS Church, serving in the sports and literature and drama programs, the M.I.A. and the Relief Society. She belonged to the Salt Lake Photochrome Club, the Utah Cine Arts Club, Daughters of the Utah Pioneers and the Lyric Lore Club. Oral had a natural artistic talent and painted many beautiful landscapes and still-lifes for her family and friends. She was a dear sweet person who will be sorely missed by her friends and survivors, who are: two sisters-in-law, Gertrude Fullmer and Julia Stoney; three nephews, Joseph (& Stella) Burbidge, Richard (& Cleva) Stoney and Larry Barrett; five nieces, Donna (& Fritz) Urbanek, Marlene (& Buck) Francis, Marie (& Don) Powell, all from Salt Lake City, Shirley (& Ray) Morris, Beaver, Utah; and Barbara Hughes, Las Vegas, Nevada. Oral had no children of her own. Funeral services were held on Saturday, September 8th, 1990 in the Grant Second Ward, 711 Jepson Ave. (3225 So.), Salt Lake City, Utah, with Bishop Mark A. Fagergren officiating. Her interment, Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park, Salt Lake City, Utah. [Deseret News, Thursday, September 6, 1990.]

BYA Beaver Branch ~ Murdock Academy, Class of 1918? Phylis Swindlehurst. ~ ~ ~ ~ HER OBITUARY: Phylis Swindlehurst Warr, age 90, died January 22, 1991 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Born June 4, 1900 in Beaver, Utah to Edwin Swindlehurst and Mary Jane Cartwright. Married Morrell J. Warr, September 17, 1925 in the St. George LDS Temple. He preceded her in death, April 25, 1987. She was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints where she held many positions. She served an LDS mission to the Central States. Was president of the stake Relief Society and stake YWMIA. She served as a teacher and organist for many of the organizations. She was a member and officer of the DUP and American Legion Auxiliary. She attended school in Beaver and graduated from the Murdock Academy. She taught school in Beaver and Star Valley, Wyoming. She is survived by two sons, Dr. Newell E. Warr, Salt Lake City; Joseph B. Warr, Casper, Wyoming; one daughter, Mary Mecham, Salt Lake City; 14 grandchildren; ten great- grandchildren. Funeral services were held Saturday, January 26, 1991 in the Beaver LDS 1st Ward Chapel. Interment, Mountain View Cemetery, Beaver, Utah. [Deseret News, Thursday, January 24, 1991.]

BYA Beaver Branch ~ Murdock Academy, Class of 1918? Druce Tanner. ~ ~ ~ ~ HER OBITUARY: Druce Tanner Chipman. Our loving Nana was taken from us far too soon at the age of 97. She was called home on April 2, 1997. Druce was born on May 18, 1900, in Beaver, Utah to Shepard LeRoy and Elizabeth Jane Reese Tanner. On August 15, 1938, she eloped to Las Vegas, Nevada to marry Clyde Chipman. Their marriage was solemnized in the Salt Lake LDS Temple on September 14, 1977. He preceded her in death after 49 years of marriage on March 31, 1984. Druce Tanner attended the Murdock Academy in Beaver, Utah, and went on to graduate from the U of U, and the McCune School of Music. Druce loved to play the piano and loved to share her music with visitors, especially those who would sing along with her. She taught 1st grade at various elementary schools and retired from Rose Park Elementary in 1965, after serving for 38 years. She loved teaching, and she loved all children. Any child was her friend and she always had time to play a game, read a story, or teach a song to them. Nothing was so important that it couldn't be interrupted to spend time with her "sweet kids." Those of us lucky enough to be love by her had the best gift in the world. Nana died of complications from a fall in her home in spite of the great care she received from the St. Joseph's Transitional care staff. Preceded in death by her sisters, Aleen Marx and Dorothy Anderson, and brother John Tanner. Survived by her family: Linda, June "Markey", Bentley and Quincy Adams. Also servived by a brother, Eugene Tanner (Molly), and Norma Tanner, and special friend, Crystal Johnson. Funeral services were held Monday, April 7, 1997 at Russon Brothers Mortuary, 255 South 200 East, Salt Lake City, Utah. Her interment: Mt. Olivet Cemetery. [Deseret News, Sunday, April 6, 1997.]

BYA Beaver Branch ~ Murdock Academy, Class of 1919. Lula Tolton. ~ ~ ~ ~ HER OBITUARY: 102 Years Old. On December 21, 2003 Lula Tolton Tanner passed away from natural causes in the Beaver Care Center, Beaver, Utah. She was 102 years old. She was born in Beaver, Utah on March 15, 1901, the daughter of John Franklin Tolton and Caroline Olivia Hales Tolton. She graduated from the Murdock Academy in 1919 and the University of Utah in 1923. In 1926 she attended Columbia University. She taught school for many years in Beaver, Utah and Salt Lake City, Utah. An adventurous young lady, she traveled from San Francisco to New York City by way of the Panama Canal in 1930, and in 1934 took a three-month excursion to pre-modern China and Japan. On June 6, 1947 she married Rollin C. Tanner of Phoenix, Arizona in the Arizona LDS Temple. They traveled widely in the United States, the Pacific Islands, Europe and the Holy Land. Together they served as stake missionaries and temple workers in Phoenix. A gifted teacher, she spent years of activity teaching in the LDS Church Relief Society and Sunday School in Salt Lake City, Beaver and Phoenix. Rollin passed away on August 31, 1967. In April 1972, Lula moved from Phoenix to Beaver where she has resided until her death. She was known for her friendliness, quick wit, generosity, love of Jesus Christ and goodwill toward all. She survived by nine nieces and nephews and five stepchildren. Funeral services were held Saturday December 27, 2003 in the Southern Utah Mortuary, 195 North 200 West, Beaver, Utah. Interment, Greenwood Memorial Lawn Cemetery, 2300 West Van Buren, Phoenix, Arizona. [Deseret News, Thursday, December 25, 2003.]

BYA Beaver Branch ~ Murdock Academy, Class of 1910. Amenzo Topham. Source: Program, Commencement Exercises, 1910. ~ ~ ~ ~ Thomas Amenzo Topham (Jr.) was born December 18, 1887 in Paragonah, Iron County, Utah. He would have been about 23 years old in 1910. His parents were Thomas Amenzo Topham (Sr.) and Annie M. Lund. He married Sarah Eva Evans on March 15, 1932 in Washington County, Utah. He died on March 5, 1956. Interment, Parowan City Cemetery.

BYA Beaver Branch ~ Murdock Academy, Faculty & Staff. Hettie White. ~ ~ ~ ~ Memoirs of E. E. Erickson, second principal of BYA Beaver ~ Murdock Academy: "Another loyal friend was Miss Hettie White, teacher of home economics. She was a veteran of the academy and looked upon it as dear and as sacred as the Church. She believed what she said and said what she believed. She believed me to be an honest man and a good principal and that no polygamist should head that institution. She was one of those rare persons who could teach any subject in the high school and do it well. Murdock Academy and its interests were in her mind first, last, and always. Her love for her students and friends was as intense as her dislike for those who, she was sure, were undermining the work of her friends and the school she loved."

BYA Beaver Branch ~ Murdock Academy, Class of 1910. Katherine Woodhouse. Source: Program, Commencement Exercises, 1910. ~ ~ ~ ~ Katherine Sophia Woodhouse was born on February 29, 1892 in Beaver, Utah. She would have been 18 years old in 1910 -- high school age. Her parents were George Washington Woodhouse and Catherine May Slaughter. [Her father was the author of a book entitled Black Powder Days: Historical Articles Written by George Washington Woodhouse, published in the Beaver Press during the Years of 1939-1948 and republished by Family History Publishers, 2006.] She married William Hans Rasmussen on January 10, 1912 in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was born December 18, 1883 in Fillmore, Utah, to Hans Rasmussen and Hansine Jacobine Sorensen. Katherine Sophia Woodhouse Rasmussen died on January 6, 1926 in Fillmore, Utah. Interment, Fillmore, Utah.

Brigham Young High School, Class of 1908. Hugh M. Woodward. He received a Normal Diploma. Source 1: Students Record of Class Standings B.Y. Academy, Book 2, Page 70. ~ ~ ~ ~ Class of 1908. Hugh M. Woodward. Source 2: Hugh M. Woodward. 1908 BYH Commencement Program. ~ ~ ~ ~ Collegiate Grad of BYU, Class of 1911. Hugh M. Woodward. He received a BA Degree in 1911. Source: Annual Record, B.Y. University (BYU Records Office), Book 5, p. 243. ~ ~ ~ ~ Hugh McCurdy Woodward. The first President of Dixie College in St. George, Utah, was Hugh McCurdy Woodward. President Woodward was born in December, 1881, in Huntington, Utah, to Enoch J. Woodward and Ann L. Raymond Woodward. He attended the Uintah Stake Academy in 1900-01, the Brigham Young High School in 1902-03, Beaver Branch BYA in 1905-06 and Brigham Young High School in 1906-08, graduating in the Class of 1908. He received his Bachelors degree from BYU in 1911 and was promptly hired as the first principal of the St. George Academy. He and his wife, the former Emily Timothy [BYU, Class of 1925], were the parents of three children, one son and two daughters. Their son was William Jennings Woodward, born October 8, 1915, in Los Angeles, California; died July 27, 1969. One daughter was Esther Carol Woodward, born January 7, 1921 in Burley, Idaho; died September 28, 1977. After the announcement of his appointment, many older folks in the St. George area shook their heads in doubt worrying if anyone so young and in­experienced could handle the rugged over-aged and oversized characters that were likely to enroll in the new school. When Professor William J. Snow of BYU was home for a vacation in Pine Valley he was asked about Woodward. He is said to have replied, "If he can't handle it, I don't know who can." According to the school's first announcement, the curriculum was designed to provide for four years of high school work. Courses were planned in 15 different subject areas. Even though school was a few days late in opening, the enrollment far exceeded expectations. The first week's totals showed 121 students had registered but later in the year over 135 students were enrolled. The St. George Stake Board of Education set the registration fee at $15.00 per year for that first year, but later reduced it to $10.00 payable in two equal payments. Students often gave produce and hauled wood for the school or labored in some other way to provide the money for tuition. A lifetime registration fee was offered the next year, 1912-1913. A student could register for $16.00 for his/her lifetime plus $10.00 for each year. They could then attend the College for as many years as they desired. The school had its own bookstore so that book prices could be kept at a margin just above cost. The church and school leaders were very conscious of keeping the expenses for students at a bare minimum. That first fall Principal Woodward, with suggestions from the faculty and the students, organized a school government. Laws were written to govern the Academy. The student self- government worked out well, perhaps giving the students greater freedom than that of other schools in the State. The new student government was run according to the City Commission form with a Chief Commissioner, five other Commissioners, a Chief Justice and Prosecuting Attorney. The officers were responsible for writing the laws and regulations to run the school. They were then submitted to the student body for ratification. A 10-member police force was chosen to help carry out the school laws. This form of student self-government worked so well that several Colleges and high schools in Utah and other Western States sent for pamphlets outlining the system. The first school constitution was ratified January 29, 1917. Some of the school laws reflected the LDS religious background. The use of tobacco and liquor was prohibited. Students convicted of boisterous, ungentlemanly or unwomanly conduct risked expulsion. Visiting the local pool hall was prohibited and it was unlawful to use profane language. Students having a grade point average of 75% or lower were not allowed “out” on weekends. Principal Woodward was always concerned with establishing policies which would help the growth and future stability of the new academy. They established a preparatory school in 1912 to help students below high school grades to prepare to achieve in the more advanced classes. The tradition of “D” Day started during the 1912-13 school years. The Class of 1913 went to the Sugar Loaf rock on the Red Hill north of St. George and painted the numerals "1913" in large white letters on the face of this prominent landmark. This move created considerable attention both among the students of Dixie and many of the townspeople; but most concerned were the students of the Class of 1914. This class was three times as large as the class of 1913 and this younger class, known as the Dolphins -- so-named out of respect for their president Dolph Atkin -- decided that 1914 would look much better on the face of the Sugar Loaf than 1913. As a result, it was only a few days until the original numeral "3" had been obliterated with red paint and a brand new figure "4" appeared in its place. After this, it was not unusual to see a change in the figures every few days. In fact, it became customary to look toward the Sugar Loaf each morning to see who had been on the job during the night shift. After the class of 1913 graduated, the members of the Class of 1915 sprouted a few wings for ambitious projects and took up the challenge where the Class of 1913 had left off. The encounters were not confined to the Sugar Loaf on the Red Hill. Quite a class rivalry was started. It was not long until the school and the student body officers met together and began talking of the possibility of a program that would bring all the students together and would do away with this heavy class rivalry. It took some time to achieve the desired results, but out of this effort came the idea of building a school letter on one of the surrounding hills, and writing the word "Dixie" on the Sugar Loaf in place of any class numerals. Soon after school began in the fall of 1914, it was decided by the interested students, faculty, and many of the townspeople, that the proper place to build the school monogram "D” was on the face of the Black Hill west of town. Friday, February 19, 1915, was a great day for Dixie High School (later Dixie College.) That was the day set for the actual building' of the "D". It was that school's own holiday, and was to become the first regularly established holiday for Dixie College. The activities included a downtown parade in the afternoon, a lunch and after-lunch program on the hill, and mid-afternoon sports on the campus, the lighting of the "D" about 9 p.m., and the closing event of the day, the D-Day Dance. This feature has become very prominent during the course of the D-Day History. At the dance the D-Day Queen and her attendants receive appro­priate honor participating in the floorshow, and everyone present is made to feel that the "D" Day activities are an integral part of Dixie College and the Dixie Spirit. In 1918, President Woodward left St. George and went to the University of Utah, where he obtained his Masters Degree. In 1920 he went to the University of California for his Ph.D. He worked for the Bureau of Public Health in Washington D.C., in 1920-21, and returned to BYU in various capacities until 1936. He spent four summers as a Professor of Education at the University of Washington. He was elected to the Utah State Senate in 1935, and was persuaded to become a Democratic candidate for Governor in 1936. President Woodward became a Professor of Philosophy at the University of California and taught there from 1937 to 1940. He died August 11, 1940 in San Francisco, California. [Some records say he died on August 12, 1937 -- no explanation.]