History of John Spackman

John Spackman, the son of William Spackman and Sarah Ward, was born August 22, 1849 in Pewsey, Wiltshire, England. He had four sisters: Ellen, Annie, Georgina, and Jane. He came to Utah with his parents and sisters in 1869. He sailed from Liverpool, England on the ship "Minnesota," on August 25, in a company of 443 saints under the direction of Elder Ensign. They arrived in New York September 6th and reached North Ogden, Utah ten days later. In his native land in England, he was baptized into the Latter-day Saint Church on October 8, 1868, by Elder F. D. Anderson. He was 21 years old at the time he came to this country. In the Salt Lake Endowment House on September 2, 1872, he was married to Annie Anderson, a daughter of James Anderson and Catherine Christensen. A son, John William Spackman, was born July 4, 1873. John William was still a baby at the time of their divorce and John, the father, took the baby Johnnie to his parents for them to raise. On April 10, 1876, in the Salt Lake Endowment House, he married Elizabeth Ann Evans. She was the daughter of William Evans and Catherine Perkins. She was born July 15, 1859 in Middle Duffryn, Abredare, Glamorganshire, Wales.

After their marriage, they moved to Dayton, Oneida, Idaho, Here he farmed and worked for other farmers for five years. During this time two children were born: William Thomas on February 14, 1877 and Sarah Catherine on August 25, 1879. They moved back to North Ogden and Emma Jane was born on August 7, 1882.

While living in Dayton, it was the time of the great grasshopper scourge. The hoppers ate everything the people planted as soon as the green leaves showed. They had cows but couldn't drink the milk as it tasted so bad, and the eggs the chickens laid were unfit for table use.

They made a move to Pleasant View and it was at this time Elizabeth's mother came to make her home with them. She spent much of her time nursing, often going on horseback to care for maternity cases. It was here that David Henry was born on June 27, 1885 and Joseph Parley on October 8, 1887. After the death of Elizabeth's mother, Catherine, the family moved to Liberty, Weber, Utah and farmed there for three years and then moved back to Pleasant View to what is known as the Pole Patch. Ruth Mae was born May 17, 1890, James Alma on September 19, 1893, and Jacob on May 25, 1896. The family once again made the move back to North Ogden and this time made this their permanent home. Aunt Eliza Evans and her husband David had never been blessed with children, so in their old age came to their niece Elizabeth for care until they passed away. Aunt Ruth Walker became ill and Elizabeth and John cared for her until death came. The last child, Kate Pauline was born August 8, 1899 in North Ogden.

John inherited his father's love for good horses and gardening and was a good farmer. He was good natured, friendly, and very hospitable. He often brought someone home for dinner or a nights lodging. He'd say, "Oh, Lizzy will make them welcome." His wife Lizzy (Elizabeth) was a good cook and always prepared for the unexpected guests. In the summertime, when fruit and vegetables were plentiful, he would hitch one horse to a buckboard wagon and load whatever was ready to harvest and go about the town and leave some on the elderly and widows front lawn or porch. You could always hear him coming as he loved to sing.

On March 8, 1921, at the age of 72 he died of Pneumonia and was buried on March 11, in the North Ogden Cemetery.