1858 - 1937
Wife to James Peter Andersen
Mother to Fay Emanuel Andersen
Grandmother to Rene Andersen
Grandmother to Rene Andersen
(Dad's great-grandmother)
Elizabeth Crowther was born in Payson, Utah August 15, 1858, the fifth child in a family of nine. Her father, George Crowther, was born in England where he embraced the gospel as a young man. Her mother, Janet Wiley (or Wylie), was born in Kilburnie, Scotland. She was of a religious nature and at the age of 16, heard Mormon Elders in the branch of the church opened up by Parley P. Pratt. Believing their message, she was the first of her family to be baptized in the church, leading her father, mother, and oldest sister in the fold.
It was in a Mormon meeting that George Crowther met and fell in love with Janet. They were married 3 or 4 years later. They remained in Scotland until after the birth of their first child, then decided to join the Saints in far off Utah. They crossed the ocean, landing at New Orleans in the fall of 1849. Here they stayed for nine years, getting sufficient means to take them across the plains. They arrived in Salt Lake City, September 12, 1857. Just a week after their arrival, George Crowther was called to guard against Johnson's army at Echo Canyon and while there Janet moved to Payson, Utah where Elizabeth was born.
One year later her father was called to Whales, Utah then to Mt. Pleasant, back to Wales, Moroni, and finally to Monroe. While there the Black Hawk War broke out. Elizabeth was seven years old at that time. They remained there for three years during the war then moved to Fountain Green. Her father was a minute man driving the pony express all during the war.
During the early part of her life, Elizabeth lived on thistles, mustard green, sego roots, and mushrooms gathered by the children. Her life was that of a hard worker with none of the opportunities afforded her grandchildren. She had five weeks of school. She spent the rest of her time working in homes for from 50 cents to $1.50 a week. It was while she was working out that she met James Peter Andersen, whom she married at the age of 17, in Moroni, on October 31, 1875.
Peter and Elizabeth's first home was in Fountain Green where Peter worked at whatever he could find. His start came while he was herding cattle. He was paid in grain, cow, etc. They bought a farm five miles up the canyon from Fountain Green by buying a share at a time as he could get it. Here they raised all their food. Elizabeth made butter and cheese and in every way possible utilized the materials she had to work with. She was a hard worker and a loyal companion to her husband. Both always supported and were true to the Gospel cause.
In October 1896, Peter was called on a mission to the Central States, leaving his wife and nine children to take care of the farm. He was gone 26 months.
They moved to Moapa Valley, Nevada, August 1908 because of Peter's health. A warm dry climate was needed and, reading of this valley in the paper he came down in April to look it over. He bought a farm and built a home above the Konig Ranch. Since then he bought and sold many farms. They moved to Overton, Nevada October 3 and bought a store from Brigham Whitmore. Later he bought a larger store, the building now used for the theater, and moved from the little brick store.
Elizabeth Crowther (right) with Carrie Andersen (left) in front of family home in Overton, Nevada
They had 12 children, ten of who are still living at this writing (1952), 59 grandchildren, and 33 great-grandchildren.
Janet Rebecca
James William
George Christian
David Edger
Thomas Milton
Robert Vernor
Milddred Elizabeth
Fay Emanuel - Dad's grandfather
Mary jean
Alvin Glen
Linford Anderson - died in infancy
Joseph Odell - died in infancy
Back row: ?, ?, James Peter, Elizabeth Crowther, Thomas Milton, Fay
Front row: David Edger, Mildred Elizabeth, Mary Jean, Alvin
Elizabeth's motto has always been the same as her mother's: "It is better to wear out than to rust out."
She served as President of the Overton Relief Society for many years and was always found serving her neighbors and friends.
She died on a cold January 19, 1937 at age 78.
Gravestone at Pioneer Hill Cemetery in Overton, Nevada.
**This history comes from a PDF file that I received from dad
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