History by Louise Skeen Kelly.
Wilford Woodruff Skeen was born on March 18, 1898 at Plain City, Utah. Dad was the 4th child of Lyman and Annie Skeen. Before him were Ivy, Blaine and a baby who died as an infant. They were preceded by what was called the ‘first family’ of Lyman and his wife Electa.
I believe his early life at home was comfortable as his father had many business interests, including farming and horses and was quite influential in the town. The children probably worked around the farm in their youth. As I remember Annie was not a warm or demonstrative person but I am sure they had a good life.
I’m not sure how far he went in school, but I believe he graduated from high school or at least the 8th grade. He went into the Navy near the end of World War I and was station at Mare Island Naval Shipyard in California. The war ended before he saw any action.
One of his great joys in life was to gather us all around while he demonstrated the ‘Manual of Arms’ with a gun of some sort. He also like to show us how to tie knots, another skill he learned in the Navy. He was an excellent swimmer and was said to be one of the fastest at that time.
His best friend that I know of was Ralph Robson. (Ralph was also a 2nd cousin, the grandson of Eliza Skeen Robson, Lyman’s sister). We always thought it was he who introduced Mom and Dad at a dance. Our cousin, Ezma Musgrave says it was Aunt Laura. Mom had come from Idaho Falls to visit her brother Charlie and his wife Laura. She was an intelligent, talented and attractive young lady. he was a handsome, sensitive young man. In an attempt at writing her history in later years she wrote that it ‘was love at first sight’. He was so smitten by her that he bought her a gold bracelet and had it engraved M.M., thinking her first name was Mariam. I still have that bracelet in my possession. It’s ironic that they met at a dance as he never danced. After the town opened a skating rink in the old dance hall they did go skating a couple of times.
As far as courtship I think he probably made several trips to Idaho Falls and she to Plain City. They were married in Idaho Falls on November 20, 1919.
The babies soon started arriving every couple of years. Elwin (Jim) was the first in 1920, followed by Louise in 1922, Don in 1925, Clyde in 1927, Thayne in 1929, Russell in 1931 and the twins, Jean and Joan in 1935.
Dad worked on the family farm until the depression started in 1929. Eventually they lost the farm and the boys had to find other employment. There were no jobs to be had at that time and there were five children. Dad eventually got work on the WPA, a social program started by FDR.
In the winter he would have to get up early on cold mornings and pour water on the radiator of the current old car as there was not enough money for antifreeze. The little house was just a shell with no insulation and cold air poured in everywhere. In the morning there would be frost on the inside of the windows. We had to carry water from the well in front of the house. Dad would build a roaring fire in the coal stove and the first couple of kids got to stand on the oven door. (It was very sturdy!)
In 1938 the ultimate tragedy struck the family when Russell became very ill. Polio was rampant at the time and we were afraid that was what he had. Dr. Brown was called to the house and took Russell to the hospital in his own car. After a few days he was diagnosed with meningitis. He had the highest temperature every recorded at the old Dee Hospital, 108.6. He died near his birthday. He was in the first grade. The funeral was held at the old Plain City church after a viewing at our house. I remember Dad breaking down several times but only saw Mom cry once. She was very stoic and strong. She hung a picture of Russell in the living room, but Dad wouldn’t go in the room until she took it down.
