Fannie Chivers Henderson Harrison
Fannie Chivers Henderson Harrison was born June 14, 1885 at Oxford, Oneida County, Idaho. She was the daughter of Samuel Henderson and Mary Jane Chivers. She was the youngest daughter in a family of ten children: seven boys and three girls. Her four oldest brothers and one sister died before she was born. Three of them were buried in one day, having died of diphtheria. Her brothers and sisters were: James H., William Sanford, Wilson, Merettie, Leslie, Thomas Wallace, Mary Ann, Guy, and Lee. Her father had three other families, with thirty-six children in all.
She came to Star Valley with her parents when she was about 1 ½ years old. She told of the trip as other members of the family told it to her. The journey was a long, hard tiresome one. There were no roads. Some of her half brothers helped them on the trip and to get settled. The first winter they lived in Afton in a log house with no floor. They moved later to what is now the Levon Henderson farm. At that time the place was called Dry Creek, later changed to Mt. Vernon, and still later to Osmond, after their Stake President George Osmond. They belonged to Afton when they first came to the valley.
Those first winters in Star Valley were hard winters. Not many families had a cow or horse. Those who did would dig grass out of the snow to feed them. The snow was very deep. The children would play on the crusted snow.
She and her brothers and sister had many happy times on their farm. Her father had a horse or two and a pair of oxen named Tom and Jerry. They would hitch the oxen to a bob-sleigh, wrap their feet in gunny sacks and go for sleigh rides. They would gather wild strawberries, choke cherries, serviceberries, and gooseberries from the mountains. Later her father had a few sheep, and while she took her turn herding them she built little houses out of rocks. Every summer they had a vegetable garden and she worked in it. She loved to help her Mother with the flowers they had around their home. In the winter evenings she and her brothers and sister would play on the haystacks and watch the rabbits until bedtime. Her mother taught her how to weave, and how to wash and card wool ready for quilts. Indians came to their home sometimes and her mother would give them food.
Fannie’s father baptized her June 14, 1893 in a ditch across the road from her home. Harvey Dixon confirmed her. She rode to Afton to church in a wagon.
The first school she attended was held in a one-room log house. Some of her school teachers were Mattie and Emery Barrus, Lettie Campbell, John Nield, and Harvey Allred. She had slates to write on and had to furnish her own desk and bench. There were no telephones, cars, electricity, or piped water.
In 1890, the Olson family moved to Star Valley. Mrs. Olson had three sons from her previous marriage, the oldest being Otto Alfred Harrison. His father had died when he was three years old.
Otto and Fannie went to school together and became very good friends. They went for rides together in a sleigh, wagon, or buggy. They attended parties and dances together. They took sacks of vegetables to pay for the music, which was usually a violin. Then, later, they paid 25 cents for a ticket. More than one person could use the ticket, just so only one danced at a time.
Otto proved to be the one Fannie chose for her life's companion. They were married August 29, 1903, by Stake President George Osmond. On February 4, 1904 they had their marriage solemnized in the Logan Temple. They first lived in a house they rented from William Hill. They moved several times in the early years of their marriage.
On October 7, 1904, Almon Leroy, a baby boy, was born to them. Just three weeks later on October 29, 1904, Fannie's father passed away. On May 2, 1906, a second son, Leslie Alfred, was born.
Otto sheared sheep for several months every spring. One spring Fannie took the two little boys and met him in Montpelier as he was coming home. Here she attended her first movie. Later there were movies in Star Valley and tickets were 10 cents.
Although she was busy with her work in the church and her family, she still found time to do some sewing for her mother, and help her in other ways. Then on May 22, 1906, her mother was taken from her.
On September 30, 1907, a third son, Albon Otto, was born. She said that it appeared Otto was to have all the help, as they now had three little boys. She took them and went to Primary every Friday.
About 1908 they moved to Grover and worked for Covey and Blaney. She cooked for the men who were hired there. While there, the house they were living in burned. Everything they owned, except the clothes they were wearing, was burned. She and the children slept at a neighbor’s that night while Otto kept watch so the fire did not spread. In the morning he came and told her to get ready and they would go to their home in Osmond. They had nothing to get ready, just the clothes they had on. Covey and Blaney built another house for them to live in, and a baby daughter, Merettie Irene, was born there July 10, 1909. Shortly after, they moved back to Osmond, as they had bought the farm just south of where the church house stands. Another daughter, Alta Fannie, was born August 5, 1911, and about this time they bought more land, about two miles farther south.
When Otto was called to go on a mission to Sweden for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, there was no hesitation, even though she would be left with five little children to care for. There was much work and planning to do, to get him ready to go, and things in order for her while he was gone. He built a warm room on their two-roomed log house. They sold the last place they had bought, and nearly all of their stock. They kept two horses, two cows, some calves, pigs and chickens. Then on February 15, 1913, she went with him as far as Montpelier, and he left for Sweden.
Fannie did not have an easy time while Otto was away on his mission, with five children to care for, the oldest being 8 ½ years old and the youngest just 1 ½ years. She also had the farm chores to do, and the barn was about 200 yards from the house. With dresses and coats to the ankles, it was hard to walk through the snow. Many times she came in soaked to the waist. She always said she was glad he went on his mission while the children were small, as she could tuck them in bed at night, and always knew where they were. It took three weeks to get a letter from him, and she received one every week. She looked forward to his letters and rejoiced in his success. Because of World War I, Otto was called out of Sweden, to finish his mission in Tennessee. Then in October 1914, he was called home because of his mother's death.
On June 15, 1915, Otto was sustained Bishop of the Osmond Ward, which office he held for 21 ½ years. During all these years, Fannie encouraged him and helped in every way possible. Many times she had the responsibility of the home and family while he was attending to his duties as Bishop.
In 1916 they started building a new home, which they were very thankful for. On October 1, 1916, another daughter, Dona Lucille, was born, making three sons and three daughters. Shortly after this they moved into their new home.
On October 20, 1919, sadness came to their home. A baby boy was born, Doral B., but only lived a short time. On August 1, 1923, another baby boy was born, Ernest Edwin. He was a sickly little fellow, so sadness was their lot again. He needed much care, which she unselfishly gave for 42 years, with never a word of complaint.
On December 30, 1925, their last baby was born, another boy, Thede Max. There were many years of caring for the children, through childhood diseases, illnesses, operations, plus 4 major operations. Many times Otto and the sons administered to members of the family, and the power of the priesthood was manifest.
The first trip she made to Salt Lake City was in about 1917. Since then she made many trips, sometimes on account of illness, and other times for General Conference and visiting relatives. She was happy when she could accompany her children to the Temple to be married, and when she was able to do work in the Temples.
She held many church offices, working in every organization. She was the leader to the first Beehive group in the ward. She has been a teacher in several classes in the Sunday School; a Counselor, Secretary and Teacher in the Primary; President, Special Interest Supervisor and Era Director in the MIA; and Treasurer, Class Leader, and Visiting Teacher, besides the Teacher Supervisor for 15 years in the Relief Society. In 1956 she was presented a pin for 33 years of service in the MIA. When she was released as Teacher Supervisor of the Relief Society she was presented a book, In The Gospel Net, by John A. Widtsoe. She was an Honorary Golden Gleaner. She was a woman of great faith, and loved her church work.
On July 22, 1948, her life's companion was taken in death. and she missed him deeply. She spent many lonely hours after Otto's passing.
She had many hobbies. One of her first was collecting beautiful dishes. She would set tables for large crowds. Another hobby was her large collection of handkerchiefs, many of which had been given her by relatives and friends. She collected poems and sayings, worked on genealogical records, did beautiful crochet work, and made many beautiful quilts, (most of which she gave away). She had beautiful flowers in her home.
She was a devoted wife and mother. She taught her children by example and precept. She was appreciative of her blessings and of any kindness shown her. Her family loved to visit her because of the individual interest shown in them. She was concerned for their welfare, both physical and spiritual, and age and experience had given her the ability to counsel wisely. She had a keen sense of humor, the ability to look on the bright side, and wisdom to accept the trials and enjoy the good in her life. She passed away January 25, 1965, a truly great woman.