McLaws, John, et al.

File — Box: 3, Folder: 7

Identifier: I

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

"Journals and Sketches of the McLaws, Bradshaw and Owens Family." This typewritten copy was made by George S. Tanner. The bound volume includes the journal of John W. McLaws and Ellen Elsie Bradshaw McLaws; a diary of Mary Ellen Owens Bradshaw; a short history of Horace Burr Owens; a short sketch of Ann Layne Owens; and genealogical information on Edward E. and Mary Ellen Bradshaw and family.

McLaws, John W.: John W. McLaws was eighteen years old when he began his diary in 1894. There are few entries in 1894-1899 and 1900. Patriarchal blessings of John W. McLaws are given.
McLaws, Ellen Elsie Bradshaw: An autobiographical sketch and diary entries and a patriarchal blessing are included. She was born in Virginia, Washington County, in 1882; the family moved to Joseph City when Elsie was a baby. The diary entries occur about once each year summarizing the events of that year. In 1906 the McLaws moved to Colonia Juarez, Mexico. In 1909 they are running an ice cream store, a butcher shop, and another store in Juarez. December 9, 1912, they have been forced to leave Mexico and are back in Joseph City. The diary concludes in 1948 after many years of activity in Arizona. John W. McLaws continued to farm--buying and selling farms and building houses. In 1944 Elsie writes, "We are buillding us a new home. After all these years I hope it will be the last home to build." She continued to report the activities of her children all of whom were married.
Bradshaw, Mary Ellen Owens: Mary Ellen Owens Bradshaw, the mother of Ellen Elsie Bradshaw McLaws, moved to Woodruff, Arizona, in 1882. The diary entries are scarce but summarize a whole year's activities in some cases. In 1900 she joined her husband Edward E. Bradshaw in Mexico. She writes of life in the Mexican colony of "Marailles"--the variety of fruits and vegetables, etc. On December 1, 1901, she gave birth to her fourteenth child. Floods in 1904 forced them to leave Mexico and return to Woodruff, Arizona.
1907: They moved to Fort Apache, Arizona, where they did the laundry for the soldiers at the fort. Had her seventeenth child.
1908: Left Fort Apache to return to Mexico.
1909: Left "Marailles" and went to Douglas, Arizona; remained there three weeks and started to Hurricane, Utah.
1916: Farming in Echo.
1919: Death of Mary Ellen Owens Bradshaw
Owens, Horace Burr, and Sally Ann Layne: Early Mormon converts. Helped build Kirtland, Nauvoo, and Salt Lake temples. Moved to Fillmore in 1853 where they spent most of their lives.

Dates

1857-1986

Conditions Governing Access

Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.