The Minor Family of Somerset

Name Suffix:<NSFX> Jr
Thomas Todd Jr. was born in Salt Lake City, February 18,1856, s
on of Thomas todd Sr. and Margaret Shankland. His father was bo
rnin Penpont,Dumfrieshire,Scotland January 28, 1821. His mothe
r was born in Durrisdeer, Scotland, November 12, 1826. they wer
e married on January 25, 1850and came to Utah in 1854. The fam
ily consisted of 5 sons and 4 daughters.Thomas being the 3rd o
ldest. The family settled in Salt Lake City and movedto Spanis
h Fork while the men were called to Echol Canyon to waylay Johns
ton's Army. They moved to Heber in 1860. Their first home wa
s a cellar, thena log cabin. Years later, a large red stone ho
use was built which stands toDay as a monument to their thrift a
nd memory. Thomas Todd Jr. hauled most ofthe rock for it. H
e was favorite of his father, being the only son to grow to manh
ood until the last son, Alexander was born.
Not too much is known of his early life but he was trained to b
e a thrifty industrious young man. Then, as in later life, he w
as clean and particular, a place for everything and everything i
n its place was his motto. He freighted to Park City for Thoma
sWatson and his son Harry, taKing dairy products and eggs ove
r and bringingfrieght back. Harry Watson said Thomas could pu
r more in a wagon than anyone, for he packed it so carefully.
It was while he was worKing for Watson, he met the girl he marri
ed Harriet Richardson who was keeping house for Watson. Her fol
ks had come from Scotland as converts to the Church. Her father
, William Richardson was born in Westmore,Lanarkshire,Scoltand o
n June 18 1829. Her mother, Joanna Walker Fotheringham was bor
n at Tollcross,Scotland on December 11 1827. They were marrie
d in Scotland on June 20 1851. Their family consisted of 6 son
s and 4 daughters. Harriet was the only girl living in the fami
ly of 6 boys until the last two girls were born. She was born D
ecember20, 1859 in Mt. Vernon,Luzerne,Pennsylvania as her paret
ns were coming to Utah. They were 8 years on the way. While Ha
rriet was crossing the plains, shecontracted smallpox and carri
ed the pox marks all her life.
She married Thomas Todd Jr. in the Endowment House on December 1
6, 1880, by Daniel H. Wells.Their children were: Hattie May bo
rn December 5, 1881, Thomas Richardson Todd born August 1 1883
, Joanna born September 25, 1885, Margaret born January23 1888
, Ellen born February 14, 1891, William Russell born May 1 1893
, Sarah born December 12, 1895, Elva born November 28 1898, Flor
ence born Dec 1 1901 and Francis Squire born October 12, 1906
. They build a large home in theeast part of Heber. All the c
hildren were born there, except Francis who wasborn in Jensen
, Utah. They moved from Heber in 1902 because of poor health,t
aKing family and all their belongings on a journey of 10 Days (1
40 milesto Jensen). In 1908 they moved to Roosevelt and more pi
oneering was done. But wherever they moved they always went t
o Church, traveling miles in wagons and buggies. They lived the
ir religion and all the children were active in the Church. Al
l three sons became Bishops. No matter where they lived, Thoma
s Todd always had a neat home and yard and a lovely garden whic
h he shared with others. He was especially good to the Indian
s around Roosevelt. They loved the melons he gave them and call
ed him "Todd". In later years, they spent much time visiting i
n Heber. Thomas Todd Jr. Passed away November 18, 1932and wa
s buried at Roosevelt, Utah. His wife Harriet lived until Janua
ry 31, 1948 and is buried in Roosevelt. In 1947, she receive
d a plaque for beingone of the original pioneers to come to Uta
h.