Adelbert and Delilah Asay Family 1920 Census

Adelbert and Delila Asay Family
Mae (my mother) is second from left
Circa 1940.

This summer, I was reviewing genealogy documents check accuracy, and looking for anything of interest that may have been overlooked.  In doing so, I discovered a puzzlement... to me at least. The 1920 Census in which the Adelbert Asay Family appeared was in the Byron Precinct District 0012.  I had never heard of the family ever living in Byron, Wyoming until that moment.  I had heard of them living "on the bench" for a time but thought that was in the Lovell limits and just north of Lovell, not northwest. 

1920 Census Byron Precinct District 0012

I immediately sent out e-mails to my brothers and sisters and some cousins and aunts and uncles who might know more about this.  It was a fun exchange of thoughts, but two held the key to understanding.  Joye Marostica spent much time in dictating stories and histories while visiting Grandmother Asay in Lovell.  This has proven to be a very interesting writing, as well as important documentation of the family's earlier years for which I am forever grateful.  Joye responded, directing me to the section on "Their Homes" in her book "Till we Meet Again."

"Delbert and Delila's homes though often very meager were clean and pleasant, functional, and filled with His Spirit.  However, with ten children, I can not say they were quiet.  But they were a place of comfort and love; where children grew to adulthood knowing they were loved and having been taught the gospel were ready to face the world.

Their honeymoon home was her father's camp wagon.  Later they lived a short time with his parents, where their first baby was born.  Their much loved home in the mountains was next, and then a small house was started on their lot in Lovell.

Grandpa was given the chance in 1919 to lease the Hatch ranch in Byron.  This exciting opportunity, however, turned out to be disastrous. 

It started out well -- Grandma loved having an abundant supply of delicious apples and melons for her family, and the children were thrilled with all the riding horses available.

Then the winter hit...it was one of the worst on record all Grandpa's cattle froze in the fields... even Grandma's favorite cow, Snowball, perished as she huddled next to the haystack.

Horse draw school wagon, similar
to description of one used in Byron.

The covered school wagon, with seats on the side -- and a wood stove, was now unable to get out to the Asay ranch.  The children missed most of the school year, but Delila, making the best of the situation, read them Black Beauty, Tom Sawyer, and other classics belonging to the Hatches; and so the year wasn't a total academic loss.

Young Mae with puppy

In the spring a near calamity occurred to two year old Mae.  Just as company pulled into the yard she was discovered, without a stitch of clothing, standing on the roof with her toes curled over the edge.  Grandma was more frantic than embarrassed - and very carefully coaxed her back through the window.

It is hard to say whether there are more pleasant or unpleasant memories of the ranch... however Delila's journal indicates the move back to Lovell was welcomed.

She felt through this experience they had all grown in such spiritual qualities as courage, faith, and perseverance.  Ranching was difficult and humbling, but also a time for drawing close to one another and to the Lord.

In Lovell the big house was eventually completed.  Starting with only two rooms, Delbert and his sons kept adding on until a magnificent 10 room structure was created for their growing family.

The children now laugh about coming home from school and finding a door where a window had been, or two bedrooms in he place of one - changes were made as the need arose." 

As it turns out, the Hatch Ranch is located 3 1/2 miles northeast of Byron, right between Lovell and Byron.  Any references to the Asay Family living in Byron is coming from this 1920 Census record and or this story.

Uncle Cal and Aunt Colleen added interesting information when they responded.  Aunt Colleen wrote the following:  "Cal said it may have come from Church Records, when Grandpa Asay received his plot of land.  It was on the hill, on the road going to Byron from the "Y"., on the west side of the road, not far from where Grandpa Sessions' (my dad) drive-in movie place was in later years.  Cal believes that might have been in the Byron Precinct District.  We're not sure but it wouldn't be too far from the Hatch Farm (Ella Mae Alphin Hatch)  Cal says that Grandpa say's assigned plot of land, ten acres, back in the 1920's, was covered with alkali.  Grandma Asay pointed out to Cal that it was not a good piece of land.  He doesn't remember of ever doing anything with that plot."

So happy this little puzzle was found and resolved while we had those with first hand knowledge to help fill in interesting information. 

Joye wrote that her mother, Aunt Zela, said all their cows froze in that dreadful winter in Byron... they moved to Lovell and never came back.  Mother also told us of the time Aunt Mae just a toddler stood on the edge of the roof of the Hatch house they were renting in Byron with no clothes on!  Scarred them all to death! 

I have never heard any of mother's siblings telling this story on her.  I can only imagine her embarrassment if they had. 

The indexer of this census incorrectly interpreted D. (Delilah) Mae Asay's name to be "D. Mary" unfortunately an easy thing to do when extracting names.

____________________
Sources: 1920 Census Byron Precinct District 0012
Till We Meet Again, "Their Homes" pages 70-71
Family e-mail correspondence

Myrtle Boice

Myrtle Boice

Myrtle Boice Birth: Mar. 19, 1893

Oxford, Franklin County Idaho, USA
Death: Sep. 26, 1965
Salmon Lemhi County Idaho, USA


Daughter of Martin Calvin Boice and Louisa Marshall
Married Achillis Brown, 30 Nov 1911, Lovell, Big Horn, Wyoming
Obituary - Myrtle Brown Dies in Idaho

Mrs. Myrtle Brown, 73, of Salmon, Ida., formerly of Lovell, died Sunday, Sept. 26, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Harry Hicks, in Salmon.

Funeral services were conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Big Horn Stake Center, with Bishop Scott Welch officiating. Burial was in the Lovell cemetery with Haskell Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Brown was born Apr. 19, 1893, at Oxford, Ida., a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Martin C. Voice, She came to the Big Horn Basin in 1910 with her parents, and later moved to Sheridan. She moved to Idaho. 1934.

Achillies Brown

Nov. 30, 1911, she married Archilles Brown. He died in 1940.


Survivors include four daughters, Mrs. Silvan Orr of Rexburg, Ida., Mrs. Mary Hicks of Salmon, Mrs. Tram Tracy of Missoula, Mont. and Mrs. Alden Rice of Boise, Ida.; five sons, F. Scott and Dale of Salmon, Achilles and Ferra of Missoula and Larry of Sugar City, Ida.; two sisters, Mrs. Delilah Asay and Mrs. Betty Walker of Lovell; 29 grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.


*********************

Obituary - Myrtle Brown Dies in Idaho

Funeral services for Mrs. Myrtle B. Brown, 72, were held in the Lovell West Ward in Lovell Wednesday, Sept. 29, at 2 p.m. Mrs. Brown passed away Sept. 26 in Steele Memorial hospital, Salmon, Ida., after a short illness.

Prelude and postlude music was played by Karma Allred. The opening song, "Oh My Father, " was sung by the Singing Mothers, accompanied by Drew Shumway and directed by Sharon Roth, Ray Walker offered the opening prayer and Curtie Orr gave the obituary. Leland Harris gave a talk and Ruth Bischoff, Iris Stringham and Effie Mayes, accompanied by Karma Allred, sang "Whispering Hope." Edd Corbett spoke, followed by a duet, "Beyond the Sunset," by Scott and Arthur Welch. Trand Tracy offered the closing prayer and Elgin Brown, the dedicatoral prayer.

Pall bearers were Scott, Achillies, Larry and Dale and Fera Brown and Harry Hicks. Burial was in the Lovell cemetery under the direction of Haskell Funeral Home.

Myrtle Boice Brown was born in Oxford, Ida. Apr. 19, 1893, a daughter of Martin Calvin and Louisa Marshall Boice. When she was about five years old, the family moved to Lovell. Here she grew up, attended school and was married to Achillies Brown on Nov. 30, 1911.

They made their home in the Lovell area until 1929, when they moved to Sheridan and operated a ranch until 1934. In this year, the family moved to Salmon, and Mr. Brown died in 1940.

Mrs. Brown spent her remaining years with her children, making her home for the most part with Lola Tracy in Missoula, Mont. and Curtie Orr in Rexburg, Ida.

Mrs. Brown was a member of the LDS church.

She is survived by nine children, Curtie Orr of Rexburg, Scott Brown and Doris Hicks, both of Salmon, Chill of Missoula, Larry of Rigby, Ida., Dale of Salmon, Lola Tracy of Missoula, Clara Louise Rice of Boise, Ida. and Fera Chuck Brown of Beaverton, Ore.; 32 grandchildren; 28 great grandchildren and two sisters, Betsey Walker and Delila Asay, both of Lovell.

Parents:
Martin Calvin Boice (1844 - 1907)
Louisa Marshall Boice (1844 - 1926)

Spouse:
Achillies Brown (1891 - 1940)
Burial:
Lovell Cemetery
Lovell, Big Horn County Wyoming, USA

Myrtle Boice and Achillies Brown Monument
Lovell Cemetery Lovell, Wyoming

Record added: Oct 28, 2007

Find A Grave Memorial# 22503232

The Most Memorable Christmas

Adelbert Asay aka Santa

One hot summer day as we sat in Grandma's living room sipping lemonade, a grandson, Matt asked, "Grandma, what was the best Christmas you ever had?"  Grandmother told him this story:

Many years ago, though it seems like yesterday, our means were quite limited.  We knew Christmas was coming.  We had six little children at that time, who we loved very much, and we wanted to have such a nice Christmas for them. 

So Grandpa hooked up the team and went to the mountain for a load of wood.  He brought it down and took it to Brother M.D. Harris, who said, "Delbert take that load of wood over to the school, and I'll give you $8.00 for it."

Grandpa took the wood to the school and received a check for $8.00.  He then came home, and he said to me, "Mama, this will have to be the Christmas.  It is all I've got and all I can get.  I'm going to give the check to you, and you do the best you can with it."

I went into the bedroom and put on a nice dress and combed my hair.  Then I knelt down and told the Lord our circumstances and the money I had.  I asked Him to direct me that day - where I should go and do the best I could.

I felt good about it and went up to Main Street and cashed the check.  Then I went up to Bishop Cutler's, and I paid 80cents tithing on that check. I then went back to town and every store I went in, I got something we needed.

When I got home and the parcels were opened I had: a chicken, some sugar, some eggs, flour, candy, and a tiny gift for each child - and a little suit for Ab.

Papa brought us home a Christmas tree which we decorated with popcorn and cranberries.

We knew the Lord had guided my footsteps to bargains all over town, and I even got a little something for Papa and I.  This was the most outstanding Christmas we had in those early years.

Aunt Gladys, who had joined us in Grandma's living room said, "This was our best Christmas ever, and it was a real testimony to us children of the value of tithing and praying to Heavenly Father in time of need."

Martin Calvin and John Boice Document

Martin Calvin Boyce

Transcribed from above letter written in Grandmother Asay's handwritting

John Boice - Patriarch

"These. Few questions you mentioned. Answers

 1. My Grand Father John Boice. 1. wife is Jane Hearns (died young)
Inserted 2. He married Mary Ann Barzee



Mary Ann Barzee Boice

 The saints had to cross a lake to attend their meetings. They crossed by Boat. The Boat sank out in the lake - all aboard were drowned. At that time, it was advisable for men to have the women sealed to worthy men. 2 of the young ladies were sealed to my grand Father John Boice. They had a elderly lady sealed to him known as Old Auntie to us, but she was cared for by my grand parents. It is writen that Grand Father John Boice said the Prophet Joseph was the only man he could not pin his shoulders to the mat, (wrestle for pure entertainment)

Prophet Joseph Smith Jr.

Now for the item you ask for. My Father Martin Calvin Boice was Born. April 7. 1844 at Crook Creek Hancock County Ill. At that time, the Prophet Joseph Smith in grate danger by the mob a crats. They wanted to kill him. The Saints did all they could to protect the prophet from these wicked people by hiding him in their homes. At this time, my grand parents hid the prophet in their home. Thus he (inserted: my Father 2 months old) was held in the Arms of our beloved Prophet Joseph Smith. But the wicked men later caught the prophet put him in Carthage jail. On June 27 1844 the mob gathered broke in the jail and shot Hyrum Smith the prophets Brother also the Prophet Joseph Smith. My grand father rushed to the scene as soon as the alarm was given; but it was over.

My Grandmother told me this It always made me feels so sad - I did not talk about it much.

I appreciate your efforts more than you know.

By to all.
Love and Blessings
Mom

Dayton Idaho

Dayton Idaho at Sunset. It is a lovely place.

I love this barn. It is huge and magnificant. There was large dog barking at me all the while I was taking photos... but I would go back just to see this old barn again.

My brother Rick recently sent an internet message about Old Barns and People... it read...

"A stranger came by the other day with an offer that set me to thinking. He wanted to buy the old barn that sits out by the highway. I told him right off he was crazy... He was a city type, you could tell by his clothes, his car, his hands, and the way he talked.

He said he was driving by and saw that beautiful barn sitting out in the tall grass and wanted to know if it was for sale. I told him he had a funny idea of beauty.

Sure, it was a handsome building in its day. But then, there's been a lot of winters pass with their snow and ice and howling wind. The summer sun's beat down on that barn till all the paint's gone, and the wood has turned silver gray. Now the old building leans a good deal, looking kind of tired. Yet, that fellow called it beautiful...

That set me to thinking. I walked out to the field and just stood there, gazing at that old barn. The stranger said he planned to use the lumber to line the walls of his den in a new country home he's building down the road. He said you couldn't get paint that beautiful. Only years of standing in the weather, bearing the storms and scorching sun, only that can produce beautiful barn wood.

It came to me then.. We're a lot like that, you and I. Only it's on the inside that the beauty grows with us. Sure we turn silver gray too... and lean a bit more than we did when we were young and full of sap. The dry spells and the stormy seasons do a job of beautifying our souls that nothing else can produce. And to think how often folks holler because they want life easy!

They took the old barn down today and hauled it away to beautify a rich man's house. And I recon someday you and I'll be hauled off to take on whatever chores that are waiting for us on the Great Sky Ranch.

And I suspect we'll be more beautiful then for the seasons we've been through here... and just maybe even add a bit of beauty to our memories. May there be peace within you today. And I do sincerely thank my wonderful friends and family who care about me even though I show signs of weathering!"

Look for the beauty and good in people and things and you will find it. "Some people no matter how old they get, never lose their beauty-- they merely move it from their faces into their hearts. " --Martin Buxbeum

My husband was an Airforce Pilot. He flew B-24's out of Italy, and C-124's during the Korean War, and was in a Command Post during the Viet Nam War. During his life-time he flew over 4 Million miles. He told me he can read the sky like a map. He loved these cirrus clouds... he said they were "text book" and asked me to take a picture of the sky. I see a huge heart. This ended our lovely trip to southern Idaho.