Mom's Story Part 3

In this part of her history, Mom (Bess)tells about her father's (Marion Rogers) parents and family.

My Dad’s People:

Dad was the third son of Andrew Locy Rogers and Clara Maria Gleason Rogers, born in Snowflake, June 18, 1887. The family consisted of four daughters, two of which died in the diphtheria epidemic and six sons. Snowflake was barely a year old when Locy and Clara came in 1879 to make their earthly home there. It had been with great personal sacrifice especially for Clara, to answer the “call” made by Brigham Young for she had come from a family of refinement and culture. She had many artistic and literary talents, and had had college training in teaching. Where could these abilities be used in the severe conditions she found herself in coming to Snowflake? True, she made many contributions to the town in the artistic line and she served as a teacher in early days Snowflake, but I’m most grateful to this dear, little, tender woman for the beautiful talents she bequeathed to my father. Dad excelled in oratory and public speaking. He won second place in the Church wide Oratorical Contest. He had a fantastic memory and could recite long, complicated works from memory. “Courtship of Miles Standish”, “The Lady of Lyons”, “Hiawatha’s Wooing” were prepared for his daughter’s wedding receptions. Now, as an adult woman I can only imagine and appreciate the hours of work in memorization he put into the preparation for those beautiful masterpieces of literature. The bedside table on His side of the double bed in my parent’s bedroom was loaded down with books containing the choice readings and quotations, and his light was on way into the night as he lay in bed reciting his lines. Early morning found him again repeating them either while lying in bed or in the Den. He said the way to memorize was to repeat the work the last thing at night then the first thing in the morning and then let your subconscious mind help you remember it. The system worked for him!

Andrew Locy, Dad’s father furnished the “metal” for my father’s great character. His tenacity to the gospel of Jesus Christ and willingness to serve, both his God and fellowman, coupled with his ability to “move mountains” with his physical strength, made a great compliment to Dad’s personality.

As I look back on the wonderful life of my grandparents, I marvel that Dad was so fortunate to be their son and inherit so many of their fine characteristics. Andrew Locy was the son of Thomas Rogers and Aurelia Spencer Rogers, known in the Church as the founder of the Primary Organization. The family lived in Farmington, Utah but Locy was working at ZCMI in Salt Lake City when Brigham Young called him to go to Arizona to help colonize … a life long call. Locy never “looked back”. He was completely converted to the principle. Clara came with him reluctantly as a young bride. Life is short at longest and sometimes the hardest trials prove to be the greatest blessings. This proved to be so in Locy and Clara’s case.