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John Hardison Pace
Pauline Bryner Pace
John H Pace
Born: 1 November 1856 at Spanish Fork, Utah, Utah, USA
Parents: Harvey Alexander Pace and Ann Elizabeth Redd
Married: 25 December 1875 at New Harmony, Washington, Utah, USA
Died: 2 November 1922 at Price, Carbon, Utah, USA
Pauline Bryner
Born: 2 December 1857 at Lehi, Utah, Utah, USA
Parents: Hans Ulrich Bryner Jr. and Anna Maria Dorothea Mathys
Died: 26 February 1921 at Price, Carbon, Utah, USA
SKETCH OF JOHN H AND PAULINE BRYNER PACE
History of John Hardison Pace and Pauline Ann Bryner
By Edith Ann Pace Prince
William Pace and Margaret Nickols Pace came to Utah in 1848 with a family of 8 children,
among them one son Harvey Alexander Pace who married Ann Elizabeth Redd, whose family had
come from No. Carolina. [Ann Elizabeth was the older sister of Lemuel H. Redd, Sr.]
They were married on August 28,1853 at Spanish Fork, Utah. Here was born to them 3 sons,
Wm Harvey, John Hardison, James Franklin, and a daughter Margaret Ann. In 1861 the family
was called with others to help settle Utah’s Dixie. Our father, John Hardison Pace, being
then 5 years of age was taken to Harmony, Utah where the family established a home, and
where he grew to manhood.
Just to the east of their home, with only a fence between them was another family who had
come there for the same reason, to help build up the country. Father often said he used to
look over the fence and wish he dared go over and offer to do the outdoor work that the
oldest little girl, Pauline Ann Bryner, was required to do as one of her brothers had a
lame leg for several years.
As the years passed by their affection grew, and on December 25, 1876, they were married
at New Harmony, Utah. The marriage was solemnized February 22, 1878 in the St. George Temple.
The neat looking little log house in which they made their first home in New Harmony was
still there in 1905. When the Y.L.M.I.A. was first organized in New Harmony, mother was
chosen the first president.
July 1, 1878 their first child was born, a daughter, whom they named Elizabeth Mary,
to honor both grandmothers.
In 1879 in company with a number of other families from Washington, Iron, and Beaver
Counties father was called to take his little family and go help colonize and build up
San Juan County. The story of this trek and the trying experiences of the trip are said
to have been more hazardous even than the travel experiences of the original pioneers.
They began the trip in Nov. 1879 intending it to be a trip of 6 weeks but it ended a long
and perilous trip of 6 months. I cannot take time here to give in detail their experiences
but we should each one make it possible to get and read an account of the trip and
especially of the perils they went thru in blasting and a road down what we will always
know as “the hole in the rock.”
Many times in our childhood have we thrilled to hear mother tell of carrying her baby
down thru this improvised road, no one dared ride. At last down thru this solid rock
crevice they had a harder job confronting them, to cross the Colorado River and up a
sandy hill to where it was intended to build the settlement, which was called Bluff.
Being so far away from the other settlements presented many problems to these pioneers
almost insurmountable. As was usual in customary, and for the sake of safety the houses
were built in the form of a fort, all-facing inward. They once more established their
little home, and Mar. 12, 1881 came to them twin babies, a boy and a girl. They gave
them the names John Albert and Albertine. The little girl died the same day and was
buried in the cemetery at Bluff. From the stories I remember listening to later in my
childhood, with a thrill I shall never forget; they had experiences that were dangerous,
thrilling, pathetic, humorous, and sometimes sad.
The thing that seemed most a trial to mother was the Indians; it being not unusual to see
them peeking in the windows that were in the back wall of the fort.
In the course of time they found it hard to live on just what they could raise on what
could be realized from the land they had, so it was necessary to seek what employment
they could to earn money. I do remember Father telling us stories of when he went and
worked on the railroad grading at Mancos, Colo. The Indians were particularly a nuisance
in this way, they had no feed for their horses to be tied up at night so had to be hobbled
and let forage in this way many times the Indians would come upon them and drive them to
their camps.
Many times all the tact they knew how to use and the kind care they had asked for from a
Divine source was needed to get them out of these situations.
On Nov. 24, 1882 there came another son to their home, whom they named Harvey Alexander.
They struggled on and on trying to improve their homes and get water on the land but the
floods and sand were very discouraging.
One custom, among many other that they had to observe and practice to work unitedly and
harmoniously together, was this – whenever anything went wrong either from the depredations
of the Indians, or other sources, as around the country were frequently characters posing
as cowboys who were not far from western desperadoes. When anything of this sort came up
the Bishop, a little man who had migrated from Denmark and had his feet froze on the plains
and ever after walked on feet that were practically stubs and with a cane; would ring the
meeting house bell, which meant for all the men to drop whatever they were doing and come.
The Bishop Neilson would say as he pointed to the ones he would choose that particular
time “Now, you, and you, and you go.” No one ever questioned his authority or his
decision and joined with the others to carry out his instructions to straighten out
the present difficulty.
When they organized the different auxiliaries of the church in Bluff Mother was chosen
the first president of the Primary.
Mother suffered so from homesickness and told us many times how this Christmas her
parents sent them a Xmas present of a five gallon keg of Dixie molasses and a $5 gold
piece, which she said at the time, looked the best she ever saw as it came from home.
Fright of the Indians, ill health and I suppose some homesickness exacted its toll on
Mother and she felt she could not stand it longer.
Father would have liked to stay as he felt the country had possibilities, but in
difference [deference] to mother’s feelings and as the church sent one of the authorities
to San Juan to tell the settlers they considered they had fulfilled their mission of 5
years - and they would be blessed if they felt to go, or double blessed if they stayed.
Oct. 1, 1884 they had another addition to the family a daughter they named Edith Ann.
Father always joked me for coming the day the wind blew the roof off the chicken coop.
Having decided to leave Bluff, they had heard very favorable reports of what they then
knew as the Ashley Valley, now we know as Vernal, or Uintah County.
As Mother’s father had moved his family and Uncle Albert Bryner and Aunt Moriah, Mother’s
brother and Father’s sister; had all moved to Price in the meantime, they decided to go
to Price and stay until spring then go on to Vernal. They came north to the R.R. and
followed the then narrow gorge [gauge] R.R. – reaching Price Dec. 1884.
During that winter they lived with their brother and sister in some log houses across
the river west of the present Parkview Motor Court. By Spring the town of Price was laid
out and the settlers encouraged to build their homes on the townsite.
Father drew the 2 lots, the one that the courthouse stands and the one south, where he
built a home and lived the rest of their lives.
They built a comfortable good home adding and improving as they needed and could do it.
Aug. 1, 1886 a tiny daughter, whom they named Pauline was born, but who died the same day.
She was buried in the newly plotted cemetery being the second burial in the Price cemetery.
When the ward was organized Father was chosen 2nd counselor to Bishop George Frandsen,
Mother was chosen 1st counselor to Sarah G. Cox in the first Relief Society organization.
Being an officer in that organization was not what it is today. There were no doctors,
no nurses, no hospitals, no morticians, and all these services fell to the Relief
Society women.
Father was intensely interested in schools and education. He was a school trustee for
many years, when a school board of three members administered the affairs of the school
until the consolidating of school affairs and schools.
He was a member of the first town board when Price town was incorporated and again thru
the years, and was always interested in anything that was for the betterment of the
civic affairs and the schools.
Sept. 18, 1887 another son was born to them whom they called Luray Hardison.
By this time they had acquired 2 pieces of land which they farmed and had planted fruit
trees and currant bushes on their lots, but to water and keep them alive until they had
the canal built, which is now the Price Water co., it was necessary for them to haul
water in barrels in their wagons, from the river which they did for three summers until
the canal was completed. When this was accomplished we really felt blessed, when our
little orchard began to bear, we were so thrilled even if by the fences were only
Pottawatomi plums and native currants.
On Jan. 24, 1890 another son was born to them who they named Francis Marion.
As the years passed I remember how our Father and Mother worked and sacrificed to
provide us a good home and a wholesome and high standard of living and setting us
a good example.
Jan. 4, 1892 we had another little sister, and after much discussion between the names
Lamar and Rhoda, Mother’s choice won out.
In April 1893 Father and Mother along with every one else that could get there from our
part of the country, went to Salt Lake City to the dedication of the Salt Lake Temple.
On their return as we listened so raptly to the experiences they had, we first heard of
oleomargarine, served to them in a restaurant, almost an insult.
Jan. 14, 1894 our brother Earl was born at which time our mother’s life was despaired of
for days, but I suppose because we all needed her so desperately she was spared to us.
On Dec. 27, 1895 their ninth and youngest child was born. They called her Irene.
To make a living and provide for a family this number was a job for any man, and to care
for and make the best use of this provision would tax the ability, strength and ingenuity
of a woman less clever than Mother, but not her; she was equal to it all. We had a good
clean, well ordered home, where we were all taught to work and do our part.
When her baby was about 5 mo. old, Father received a call to go on a mission. I still can
remember the serious deliberation that went on. I can even remember how that letter looked.
I wonder what woman today would like to care for a family of nine children while her
husband was gone more than two years.
Mother was brave and accepted the responsibility. Sister May was 17 yrs. old and kept
books for the old Price Trading Co., there we got our clothes. We had many things we
raised on the land and garden. As was custom those days the men had freight teams and
wagons and hauled supplies to the U.S. troops at old Ft. Duchesne and vicinity and brought
back bags of Gilsonite to be shipped from here; this was the way they earned their money
if they were lucky and didn’t have too much expense. The boys carried this on as they
could, but were most too young.
Father had a small number of cattle, which he sold to defray his missionary expenses.
While he was away we were blessed and though I could tell here many cases of sickness
and minor misfortunes that took place, I haven’t time now. He went April 1896 and came
home Sept. 1898. I must tell you one of his ways of getting along while away. When he got
to his destination; which was northern Florida and So. Alabama; an Elder leaving for home,
had a set of 4 dental forceps and asked Father if he didn’t want to buy them. He said,
“You’ll make more friends with these than by preaching,” which proved to be nearer true
than you would think.
After a very successful mission and an honorable release he returned home Sept. 1898.
Dec. 28, 1898 Sister May was married to Edward T. Stewart. About this time Father was
chosen 1st counselor to Rueben G. Miller in the Emery Stake Presidency in which he served
until Emery and Carbon stakes were formed 1910. Again when Arthur W. Horsley was President
of Carbon Stake father was chosen counselor to him April 1908. Here he served the
remaining years of his life. The last few years he became connected with the Farmers
Exchange Co. and implement and Produce Co. He worked with them several years.
In Jan. 1920 Mother was operated on at the L.D. S. Hospital in Salt Lake. She returned
home after 2 mo. Father quit his job to be at home and help her, but after a year of
uncomplaining suffering she died Feb. 26, 1921.
At that time we never knew Father to have an ailment but his health failed fast and he
died Nov. 2, 1922, having been separated from Mother only one year and eight months.
I am sure we all join in paying tribute to a wonderful Father and Mother, who set us a
most worthy example.
Written in 1956 to mark the 100th anniversary of John Hardison Pace’s birthday- November 1, 1856
Sources:
1 History on FamilySearch
Right-click [Mac Control-click] to open full-size image:
John Hardison Pace
Pauline Bryner Pace