Gentleman George

Mike told the kids about their great-great-great grandfather the other day.  His name was George William Smith, but he went by George W. This is how we are related to Henry B. Eyring.  He is descended from George W's brother, Thomas X.  If I remember right.  Anyway, George W was born in England in 1823.  He married Catherine Wooten when he was 22 years old and she was 17.  They were baptized into the church three years later by Elder John Mead.  Thomas X also joined the church.  They were the only ones in the family that did.  In April 1854 they left England for New Orleans on a ship named The Clara Wheeler. Their fifth child was born in Echo Canyon as they arrived in the Utah Valley.  A little girl they named Annie.  Two days later they made it to Thomas X's house.  He had arrived in Utah two years before.

In England, George made straw hats.  By necessity, he now had to learn to become a farmer.  He was terrible at it.  He had a hard time plowing straight, so his rows were always weavy.  Makes sense for a weaver I guess!  He also always worked in his 'swallow tailed coat', because this is the only coat he had left.  All the others had worn out.  This is how he earned the nickname 'Gentleman George'.

George William Smith

Soon after they arrived in Farmington, they were asked to go help settle Muddy Valley, Arizona.  There were already settlers there who paid their taxes and even had a representative in the legislature.  When the state lines were officially run, it was discovered they had actually been living in Nevada.  Nevada was not friendly to Mormons and demanded years of back taxes.  The people could not afford this and received permission to abandon this city.  George W arrived in Muddy Valley about the time this was happening.  He ended up staying a few months, one winter, and then going back to the Salt Lake Valley.  He settled right around where Mike now works.  Life is sure easier for us now!