DNO-0003_Newton Library

Newton Celebrated the 4th of July in 1892, according to the Logan Journal of July 6th 1892. 'The 4th of July celebration in Newton was a grand success, and great credit is due the committees for their untiring efforts to make it a pleasant day for all. The parade, which took place at about ten a.m., was the best we have ever witnessed in Newton. It was headed by our Martial Band, followed by a finely decorated wagon containing 14 young ladies, all dressed in white and representing the Goddess of Liberty and the 13 original states. Next was a company of young men representing the Revolutionary War soldiers, who were well trained in military drill and commanded by John A. Christensen. Another feature of the procession was a wagon containing ladies and gentlemen representing American citizens of old times. Three clowns kept the spectators in a continuous roar by their many pranks. Well, to mention all who took part in the procession would be too lengthy. 'At 11 a.m. our new Meeting House was crowded with people. Meeting was called to order by Lorenzo Larsen, master of ceremonies. The program then carried out was extensive. The singing rendered was very fine and the musical part of the program proved that Newton is fast improving in that beautiful art. “In the afternoon several hours went pleasantly by in witnessing various sports and races and drill exercise of our military company. From 5 to 7 p.m. the children had an enjoyable dance. At night a grand ball was the occasion of much enjoyment to the grown people. Thus we spent the 4th. It was a happy day to all and we are justly proud of our celebration. This was posted in the Herald Journal Feb. 24, 1957. Copy donated by Ruby Larsen Woodward Transcribed by Janis Griffin.

Top Row, left to right: Dale Rigby, Vernon Peterson, Ray Miller, Grant Tibbs, Lloyd Jones. Middle Row: Lyle Cooley, Katheryn Tubbs, Theda Smedley, Vera Griffin, Ruth Malmberg, Sam Bailey. Front Row: Annie Nona Crookston, Annie Rigby, Mr. Amos Griffin (teacher), Margaret Ecklund, Marie Jenkins.

Top Row, left to right: Lavar Christiansen, Cyril Larsen, Lawrence Goodsell, Mr. Amos Griffin (teacher), Verlo Peterson, Paul Peterson, Quentin Barker, Ernie Wennergren. 2nd Row: Alice Johnson, Fern Goodsell, May Jones, June Garner, Ila Larsen, Julia Stone, Eva Goodsell, Harvey Buist. Front Row: Wesley Goodsell, Merle Christiansen, Elwin Peterson, Carol Miller, Ray Barker, Marine Larsen, Ralph Cooley, Harlow Griffin. Bottom Row: Charles Miller, Russell Larsen, Blaine Nelson, Darwin Salisbury, Bill Rigby, Arlo Hancey, Neil Benson, Keith Barker.

Mr. Griffin and his eighth grade graduation class. Top Row, left to right: Howard Hansen, Richard (Dick) Griffin, Mr. Amos Griffin (teacher), Dennis Petersen, Harold Christiansen. Middle Row: Leah Benson, Ruth Griffin, Nola Petersen, Maxine Jenkins, Beth Rigby, Margarete Kropfli. Front Row: Gordon Sutherland, Claude Petersen, Junior Sanders.

Top Row, left to right: Glen Benson, Max Christiansen, Dale Benson. 2nd Row: Kay Benson, Marriner Rigby, Eugene Butello,Harvey Larsen, Dean Sanders. Front Row: Nellene Fabricius, Joyce Rigby, Mr. Amos Griffin, Leda Larsen.

The picture shows Mr. Achton Jensen and his blacksmith & horseshoeing shop as well as a lot of trees in the area of 50 South 100 West of block 17 in Newton Utah. Picture also includes two unidentified men and a horse.; February 20, 1912--The Newton Business Directory according to the Logan newspaper. Peoples Mercantile Co.: Andrew Petersen- mgr., Newton Coop: Wm. H. Griffin - mgr., Studebaker Bros.: Wm. F. Jensen Jr.- Local agent, Achton Jensen- general blacksmith & horseshoeing, L. George Clarke- Thoroughbred jerseys (The Journal February 13, 1912) The business Directory for March 12, 1912 also listed Achton Jensen as General Blacksmith & Horseshoeing. His blacksmith was located at about 50 South and 100 West of block 17 in Newton, Utah. Cleo Griffin writes, "My husband Mike Griffin remembers bringing horses down to this blacksmith shop to be shoed as a young man. He brought horses thru the lot at 144 West Main in Newton, which at the time was a field on which he remembers sugar beets were grown. The horses were shoed about where a small barn now stands at this residence. Many large work horseshoes were found at this address when Mike and his family moved to 144 West Main Street in about 1963."

Alphonso Christensen, Newton Town Council, 1922–1923

Alphonso Christensen, Newton Town Council, 1924–1925

Alphonzo Christensen

Alphonzo Christensen, Newton Town Council, 1924–1925

Amos and Ann Clarke's rock home viewed from the west. Amos Clarke's home was on Center Street between 100 and 200 South on the East side of the street. Amos built this rock house in the 1870s for his family to live in, but not trusting the mud brown softness of its masonry or the rigidity of the stone, he installed metal tie rods through the upper floor from wall to wall to keep them secure. Two metal A's that stood for Amos and his wife Ann, showed on the outside of the house. The home was torn down in 2003 after having been abandoned for many years.

Amos moved to Newton, Utah when he heard a blacksmith was needed in town. He brought his two oldest daughters Annie and Sarah to cook for him. Some of the settlers in Newton helped Amos build a log house on the south corner of block 12. They built a blacksmith shop next to the sidewalk and a little farther north of his log home. In the fall of 1869 when John Godfrey and Franklin D. Youngwent by team to October Conference they brought the rest of the Clarke family back with them and so they began their life in Newton. Arbon Christensen commented, 'That anvil would ring like a bell ---sometimes far into the night. And then when he would heat the iron, his deep-toned bass voice would keep time with the pumping of the bellows. It was then that he would practice hymns that would be sung on Sunday morning. Amos was choir director for 40 years. Amos kept very busy in his shop but often had to find work elsewhere as the farmers he did work for were very poor and could pay very little for the work he did for them. Amos Clarke's blacksmith shop and home were on Center Street between 100 and 200 South of the East side of the street.

Amos Clarke was born in 1833 in North Wales. He married Ann Johnstone in 1853 and had five children. They joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and came to America. Amos and Ann moved to Newton, Utah in 1869 and built a blacksmith shop and home. He was fond of music and when he was a boy he spent his evenings with friends who were able to instruct him in the rudiments of music. Amos served nearly forty years as chorister in the Newton Sunday School and Ward Choir. He traveled from town to town to teach the children the songs of Zion in preparation for the Sunday School Jubilees which were sometimes held in Logan and alternating in Newton, Clarkston and Weston. He was a splendid penman and spent much of his time at nights copying songs for the choir. When Amos found a song he wanted to use instead of asking the choir to buy books so they could have one to sing from, he copied it for them in a book. He held the office of School Trustee, Precinct Justice of the Peace, and acting Bishop in the time of the Crusade. Amos Clarke died in Newton, Utah 27 February 1918.

Amos Griffin

Amos Griffin

Mr. Griffin and his class on the front steps of the Red Brick School. Top Row, left to right: Cecil Ballard, Stanley Larsen, Mr. Amos Griffin (teacher), Foy Peterson, LeRoy Cooley, Andy Alvis. 3rd Row: ?, Iola Jenkens, Iona Jenkins, Wilma Larsen, Afton Rigby, Maurine Petersen, Lee Barker. 2nd Row: Earl Jorgensen, George Jones, ?, Afton Miller, Arba Hansen, Grace Jones. Front Row: Harlod Parsons, Albert Stone, ?, Faye Barker, LeOra Sparks, Zelpha Jones, Roma Dowdle.

Mr. Griffin and his class on the front steps of the Red Brick School. Top Row, left to right: Lee Barker, Lester Peterson, Foy Peterson, Mr. Amos Griffin (teacher), Woodrow Rigby, Harold Parsons. 2nd Row; Asenith Goodsell, Faye Barker, Ann Larsen, Arba Hansen, Afton Miller, John Jones. 3rd Row: Colin Jenkins, Arthur Hancey, Clifford Jenkins, Wendell Hansen, LaMont Benson, Charles Jenkins. Front Row; Roma Dowdle, Zelpha Jones, Viola Cooley, Ruby Miller, Martha Peterson, Edris Nelson, Letha Jenkins, Etta Peterson.

Amos Griffin with his class of 7th and 8th grade students in about 1932. Top Row, left to right: Pearl Jenkins, Seymour Jenkins. 3rd Row: Nolan Griffin, Duane Griffin, Russell Barker, Owen Larsen, ?. 2nd Row: Lear Jorgensen, Earl Hancey, Mervin Goodsell, Keith Larsen, Cyril Christensen, Grant Tubbs, ?. Front Row: Earl Wengren, Leatha Petersen, Cleo Christensen, Mr. Amos Griffin (teacher), Arlean Griffin, Beth Garner, Ortel Christensen.

Newton Grade School, 7th-8th grade Class on the front steps of the Red Brick School. Top Row, left to right: Blaine Jenkins, Robert Hansen, Morris Griffin. 2nd Row: Bettie Hansen, Helen Nelsen, Patricia Jenkins, Beth Nebeker, Aileen Christensen, Janice Petersen, Louise Miller, Mr. Amos Griffin. Front Row: Colleen Benson, Delfa Sanders, Carma Peterson, Mary Ellen Jensen, Elaine Goodsell, Mildred Salisbury, Mary Cooley, Joan Rigby. Bottom Row: Harvey Miller, Jay Goodsell, Kay Griffin, Horace Christiansen, George Jensen.

Newton Grade School, 7th-8th grade Class on the front steps of the Red Brick School. Top Row, left to right: Mr. Amos Griffin, Louise Miller, Patricia Jenkins, Beth Nebeker, Elaine Goodsell, Mildred Salisbury. 2nd Row: Dale Benson, Reed Goodsell, Kay Griffin, Norris Anderson, Michael Griffin, Max Christiansen, Marriner Rigby. 3rd Row: Colleen Benson, Joan Rigby, Elaine Eckland, Shirley Malmberg, Joyce Rigby, Nelline Fabricius, Leda Larsen. Front Row: Eugene Butelo, Horace Christiansen, Harvey Larson, Kay Benson, Jay Goodsell, Norman Baldwin, Harvey Miller, Donald Petersen, Glen Benson.