Clara Virtue was born 25 Dec. 1892 at home in N. Ogden, at what is now known as Ward Barker's home and Fishery 2284 N. Fruitland Drive.
She attended N. Ogden School and graduated from the 8th grade. At first she walked to school; then she rode on what was called the "push". On the walk to school in the winter time, the snow almost buried her.
She remembers catching the frogs in the pond near the house - just for fun! She also remembers her parents selling watercress to the Chinaman who came from the city. Her mother always kept she and her sister in the house when the Chinese or an occasional tramp would come by. Because of this, she has always had a fear of them.
There were always plenty of wild flowers to pick for memorial day in May, she and her playmates loved gathering the wild flowers.
Virtue remembers wading in the ditches as a small girl, and she remembers that there was a water pump in what was called the "shanty" which was where the drinking water was obtained.
Virtue recalls an incident when she was scrubbing the floor with her cousin, Sally Barton. They were in a hurry to complete the job because they wanted to go fishing for frogs. Virtue told Sally not to scrub behind the door because no one ever walked there. This was overheard by her mother, who taught them a lesson by insisting that they redo the whole floor.
In the Creek Her father Joseph built a Baptismal font where Clara and her brother's and Sister's were baptized along with many other people.
She also remembers that she and her sisters had measles when very young.
Of the home on Fruitland Drive, Virtue said there were only 2 rooms, then her father built on to the home. She said that there were 2 bedrooms on the back end attached to the house, but kind of separate. One room was for the girls. The boys had a separate room. Their's was more of an outdoor, off of the front porch with windows, but it was kind of off by itself. The girls had a step-down bedroom in the southeast corner of the home, and the boys had a bedroom in the southwest corner. The boys had built-in-bunk-beds built by their father.
In 1905 Virtue's parents moved to the center of town when she was about 13 years old. It is the home now occupied by George and Allene Orton Atkinson, daughter and son-in-law of Clarence and Mabel Orton - 695 E. 2650 S. No. Ogden. She remembers tending her brother Charles' older children while living at this location. She remained in this home until her marriage. She had a happy childhood. Virtue's mother loved parties and here in this home had quilting bees, rag bees (sewing rag rugs), birthday parties,etc. were held and usually all day affairs.
Virtue loved school and finished the 8th grade at the Old Post Office. The graduation ceremonies were held in the Old Tabernacle.
She enjoyed attending primary, Sunday School and Religion Class. Before her marriage, Virtue attended MIA. She taught Religion Class for 2 years until it was discontinued. She remembers that Russell Campbell was in her class. She also taught Primary in the 1st and 3rd wards. She was a work director in the N. Ogden 1st Ward Relief Society for six years. She served many years as a Visiting Teacher in the R/S.
Virtue's friends were Stella Barker, Marly Berrett, Elise Jones Redfield, Marva Spackman (Jim's half brother's girl by his 2nd marriage), and Floetia Holmes.
She worked briefly with Rose Dean in N. Ogden as a telephone operator for the Telephone Co. she then worked at Scrowcroft's Knitting Department sewing underwear and LDS garments. Her friends, Blanche Huband Ellis, Hazel Berrett Gibson and Grace Montgomery, also worked there. she quit this job when she married Jim Spackman 8 Oct 1914.
The marriage was performed by David E. Randall, a member of the Bishopric, in the parlor under the Archway of the large living room of her parent's home, and a reception was held following the ceremony. A two day affair one day for grown ups and one day for younger ones.
She recalls having no electricity at the time, but some people had telephones.
Jim and Virtue first lived in a house owned by Scott Campbell near what is now 2584 N. 550 E. Their neighbors were Joe Clifford and Warren Campbell families. They paid $60. A year rent for this home.
Jim was working for the Southern Pacific Railroad then and until Jack was born - about 8 years.
Rhea was their first born 18 Aug. 1916, and Jack was born 26 June 1922.
Jim worked in the blacksmith shop for the Railroad. His bro-in-law, Francis Orton, was also working at the Railroad.
Virtue and Jim then moved to the Nathan Barker farm, where Jim worked as a foreman. They lived in the South part of the large home where Byron Warren and his wife lived in the North side. Jack and Carl barker became good friends.
Later Jim went to work for the Ben Lomand Orchards. They moved to a home on the Poll Patch, which was a small apartment connected to the fruit packing plant.
The long hours and hard work they put in up there was what, they laughingly called, "Their Pioneering days". Jim was manager of the Orchard and was instrumental in improving the packing house.
They then built a home on 400 E. in N.O. next to Jim's brother, Jake. Parley Spackman, another brother later bought this house from Jim and Virtue. Parley's daughter, Jessie S. Chadwick, now owns and rents this house.
Virtue and Jim then moved into a pink pre-fabricated house near this property. They then purchased property form Noah Jensen, while Jim was working for the Ben Lomand Orchard. They built their present home on it. It was first occupied by their daughter, Rhea, for one year; then rented to the Talbot family for another year. Jim and Virtue moved into their lovely home in 1942.
After working for Ben Lomand Orchards, Jim worked for the Fire Dept. on 12th St. Ogden. where he was mechanic and trained fire fighters. He was one of the 1st Constables of North Ogden. He then went to work as a plumber for the Weber Co. Schools. He was also Director for the N.O. Cemetery, and he was working until one week prior to his death 27 Aug. 1976.
When Jim and Virtue were living at Barker's Farm, Virtue candled the eggs. When they were at the fruit farm, she supervised the sorting and packing of fruit. She then worked at 2nd St. Depot for the US gov't in the Transportation Dept. for 6 years as a general office Clerk. Her son, Jack, had graduated form High School and had gone into the service at this time.
Virtue began to work at the Defense Depo just after World War II started, holding this position for 6 years.
Virtue remembers that her mother and Jim's mother were good friends.
As a young lady she enjoyed dancing the foxtrot.
She was a dear daughter a loving wife, and an excellent mother adored by her two children and much loved by her grand, great and great-great-grandchildren. She and Jim celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in Oct 1974. They had lived in N. Ogden all their lives. Some of their friends were Hattie Storey, Pidcock Benson, Blanche and Claude Ellis, Roy and Margaret Metcalf, Mark and Edna Ballif, and Ulyssis and Marion Mortensen. Virtue now has 9 grandchildren, __ great grandchildren, and six great-great grandchildren - 5 boys and 1 girl (born 12 __ 1980).
|
