BERGETTA HENRIE, 7th child of James & Christena (Schow) Henrie, was b. Feb. 1879, Panguitch, Utah [bapt. 20 Mar. 1887, end. & S.to H. 15 Dec. 1897], d. 1940s, Panguitch, and bur. there 15 June. She m. 15 Dec. 1897, Manti (L.D.S. Temple), to Horace Miller, s. of Allen & Sarah Jane (Smith) Miller. He was b. 26 Jan. 1876, Panguitch [bapt. 3 Apr. 1884, end. 15 Dec. 1897], d. 1950s, Panguitch, and bur. there 6 Oct.
The following sketches were written by their daughter, Thelma (Miller)
While Bergetta was very young her father began calling her “Bertha,” and she was known by that name for the rest of her life. When she was about or 3 years old, she had the misfortune of getting a piece of foxtail grass her eye. Her parents were unable to remove it for 11 weeks, and she suffered a great deal. At 5 years of age she had pneumonia and almost died from he effects of it. Although everything possible was done for her, she seemed to have passed away and her father straightened her out and said, “She’s gone.” Her mother refused to give her up and said to her, “Berthie, Berthie, I can’t let you go.” She revived and lived to be 66 years old.
As she grew into womanhood and desired to help herself financially, she accepted a position as clerk in the Cameron-Sevy Mercantile Store. Thomas Sevy, the manager, said of her, “Clerks as good as Bertha are as scarce as hen’s teeth.” Samuel A. Worthen, also a merchant of Panguitch and one time Bishop of his ward, said of her, “You can go through Bertha’s church records and never find a mistake.” She was honest in all her dealings with everyone, and she was popular with her friends.
One 24th of July she went with a crowd to Panguitch Lake to celebrate Pioneer day. Crowds gathered from far and near at this resort for a two weeks outing of fishing, horse racing, and dancing. Horace Miller was one of the group. The wagon was loaded with food and camp supplies. When the party was in the wagon and on the way, Horace gave Bertha a large box, containing an accordion, saying, “It is yours if you can learn to play it before we reach the lake.” She did learn and was playing tunes for the crowd.
The remainder of her life, Bertha was noted for her accordion and her ability to play it. She freely entertained at programs, church functions, parties, and on all occasions when invited to do so. Some of her favorite numbers were, “Redwing,” “Sweet Sings the Donkey,” “Listen to the Mocking Bird,” a schottische with a lot of bass, all of the patriotic and modern numbers, as well as church music. She was also talented at the organ and taught young people to play, during the early part of her married life.
One day before her marriage she was riding down main street on a tall horse in a side saddle. The horse became excited and she was thrown to the ground and suffered a brain concussion.
She was chosen to represent the Goddess of Liberty for the 4th of July celebration in 1897. [p. 258]
Bertha enjoyed hunting and fishing and was very good at shooting. She loved the mountains and canyons, all of nature, and the out-of-doors.
She and Horace Miller were married in the Manti Temple in 1897. The trip by team and covered wagon from Panguitch to Manti in December was a long and cold journey During the return trip they had the misfortune of setting their bedding on fire with the hot bricks they had tucked down in the wagon to help keep them warm They were loaded with freight on the return trip and suffered with the cold and slowness of travel.
She affiliated herself with the different organizations of the church as long as her health would permit. She was counselor in the M.I.A., organist and secretary of Primary, organist in the Sunday School, secretary-treasurer of Relief Society, and a charter member of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers. Quilting was an art in her day and she did a great deal of it for the Relief Society and for family and friends.
She was kindness itself to her family and the friends of her children; hey were always welcome to take friends home whenever they desired. She as also called into many homes to care for the sick. When her son Francis’ oldest daughter was born, the mother almost lost her life and it was Bertha ho sat by her bed and nursed her back to health.
Her grandchildren loved to visit her and enjoyed hearing her play. Although some of the grandchildren lived nearby and some farther away, she never once showed partiality for anyone of them above the others. Her oldest I on Horace Jr. once said to her, when home on a visit, “Mother, these children of mine are the cutest grandchildren you have aren’t they?” She relied, “They are some of the nicest grandchildren I have,” and she meant it. hey were all very special to her.
Some of the choicest memories that her family treasures were her gentleness and understanding, her great love for her family and her desire that each should grow up to be an honorable Latter-day Saint and good citizen. he was composed and helpful when the family needed it most. She lived the things she taught and her family reveres her memory and mourns her passing.
Horace Miller was the third child of the family. Most of his life was spent in Panguitch, but on occasions he spent a short time at his Grandmother Smith McGregor’s home in Parowan. During his young manhood he spent the summers with his parents and brothers and sisters at the Blue Spring Ranch, southwest of Panguitch Lake. His schooling was limited to a few years, but he gained much practical knowledge during his life. He knew almost very mountain, valley, spring and stream throughout southern Utah. He helped his father with the livestock and farm chores.
At the Blue Spring Ranch one summer he climbed a quaking asp tree that is brother and sister were cutting down. He lost his footing and slid down he trunk to the cut in the tree, just as the ax cut into the notch, and his foot was almost severed. Wagon grease was used to stop the bleeding and the wound was a long time healing.
When about 13 years of age his father gave him a shoe repairing kit and [p. 259] a barber comb and clippers and told him it was his job henceforth to keep the family barbered and well shod. This he did faithfully and throughout his life carried on his trade when occasion required.
With wagon and team he freighted goods and commodities from Salina when the D.& R.G. Railroad extended only that far south, and later from Marysvale, 50 miles from Panguitch.
In his early married life he cared for sheep for Ed Heywood. He was with them at Mt. Trumbell in Arizona in the winter months, and the summer range was at East Fork adjacent to Panguitch. He managed to have his family with him part of each summer. Later he accumulated some livestock for himself and some farm land which lay about 7 miles north of Panguitch. He was then able to spend more time with his family.
He worked very hard to provide for his growing family, yet found time to help dig ditches, build churches, and do other things where his team and wagon could be put to use. He owned good teams and saddle ponies, which his children enjoyed riding and were very proud of.
The children love to recall the days they spent at the summer herd. Horace bent trees down for teeters for them to play on, and the children scampered about the camp. One day as they were moving the camp from one location to another, Bertha the mother sat in the wagon until it was loaded for the move. Just before starting Horace helped her from the wagon to rest a bit. She had no sooner left the wagon when a bolt of lightning struck close by. It frightened the team and it ran away, scattering camp supplies all along the way down the hill, rice, beans, bedding, canned goods, clothes, etc. The team finally were stopped in the trees.
On one of the yearly community treks to Panguitch Lake for a 4th of July celebration, Horace took his team and covered wagon and proceeded to the Lake. His daughter Bergetta and a girl friend went horseback. Thelma was employed as a clerk in the Garfield Exchange Store and could not leave until her day’s work was done. When the girls arrived at camp, Horace had everything in readiness for them. He did most of the cooking while they were there and made everything very comfortable for them.
He loved to fish when Panguitch Lake was frozen over. It was the method of fishermen to cut holes in the ice, and they usually came away with more than the allowed limit. The children love to recall the large trout frying in a huge pan and scarcely being able to restrain their hunger.
Horace probably drove an automobile only once. He and his brother Jim were hauling some hay and Jim had to do a few chores before starting home. Horace became impatient at the delay, slid under the wheel, and started the car. He stepped on the gas and “was off.” He kept his foot on the gas and bounced through ditches and over hay piles until he finally circled around toward his grandson Bevan. He shouted at the boy, “How do you turn it off?” Bevan was almost hysterical with laughter, but managed to shout back, “Turn off the key.” Jim also had his share of laughter over the incident.
One of Horace’s outstanding qualities was his gentleness and efficiency in a sick room. It seemed to be a family characteristic, as his brothers were good nurses and always willing to help where men, especially, were ill [p. 260] and needed assistance. His mother was ill a good part of her life and. no doubt, the boys acquired their training in helping to care for her. Later his wife had a heart attack and he gave her the most thoughtful and tender care throughout the remainder of her life. He loved to visit his daughter Thelma and her husband at Cedar City, and to their farm. He was very much interested in the machinery Thurman made. Horace had sold his farm near the Panguitch cemetery and the Miller pasture his sons Francis and Mac. Thus he had no particular ties to hold him at home. He enjoyed his children and grandchildren and took an interest in all they did. He was very fond of horse racing, basket ball games, and stock shows. When they were held in the vicinity he was sure to be present.
When not visiting his children, he lived alone, until his death. All his children were at his side when he died in 1951. He lies buried by his wife in the Panguitch city cemetery.
Horace & Bergetta (Henrie) Miller had 7 children, all b. in Panguitch:
HORACE MILLER JR., b. 5 Mar. 1899, Panguitch, Utah [bapt. 4 Apr. 1908, end, 1950s]; m.. 12 May 1926, Ogden, Utah, to Katherine Jones, dau. of Lewis W. & Sarah (Nielson) Jones. She was b. 7 Jan. 1907, Monroe, Sevier Co., Utah [bapt. 1920s, end. & S.to H. 1950s].
Horace Jr. joined the Navy in 1917, served through World War I, and was honorably discharged July 1919. He was one of two or three boys who were the first to volunteer for service, and the town turned out enmass to do them more–flags, drums, and a band celebrated.
After he returned from the service, he finished his high school studies. He then worked with the sheep and on road construction. Later he worked with [p. 261] the engineering crew for the U.S. Bureau of Public Roads near Panguitch. One of the men of the crew encouraged him to go to college to study engineering. He entered the Branch Agricultural College at Cedar City one winter, and the next enrolled at the University of Utah. For the next few years he went to school part of each winter and worked with surveying crews during the summers. He married and continued his schooling for 3 more years. In 1929 he graduated from the Agricultural College at Logan with a B.S. degree in civil engineering. He received membership in the Phi Kappa Phi, an honorary scholastic organization.
Immediately after graduation he commenced to work with the U.S. Bureau of Public Roads as a civil engineer, with a civil service appointment; headquarters were at Ogden, Utah. In 1938 ha transferred into the U.S. Park Service and moved to Fruita, Colorado, where he remained until Pearl Harbor. He then transferred into the U.S. Engineers, with headquarters at Hobbs and Roswell, New Mexico. He transferred again to the Public Ordnance Depot at Pueblo, Colorado, then back to his first position, the U.S. Public Roads, at Ogden.
He has served in church and community activities. He was branch president of the Fruita Branch while living there, counselor to the bishop of the Pueblo Ward of Denver Stake for about 2 years, and ward teacher and chorus leader for a group of Deacons at Ogden.
Horace & Katherine (Jones) Miller Jr. had 5 children:
THELMA MILLER, 2nd child of Horace & Bergetta (Henrie) Miller, was b. 2 Mar. 1901, Panguitch, Utah [bapt. 3 Apr. 1909, end. & S.to H. 1920s]; m. 1920s, St. George (L.D.S. Temple), to Edward Thurman Higbee, s. of Edward James & Susannah Margaret (Perry) Higbee. He was b. 25 Apr. 1902, Cedar City, Utah [bapt. 1910s, end. 1920s].
Thelma spent her childhood in Panguitch. She graduated from Garfield County High School in 1922 and attended one year at Branch Agricultural College, Cedar City. During her teenage, she was a Beehive girl; when about 18 she taught the Beehive girls in her own ward and part of that time she was Stake Beekeeper. She served as 2 After her marriage in 1924, she moved to Cedar City to make her home. Since then she has worked in the Primary for about 3 years, most of the time with the Trail Builder Boys. She also served as Stake Trekker leader for 3 years and has been 2nd counselor in the Cedar 4th Ward Primary. She served several years as secretary–treasurer of the Cedar 3rd Ward Relief Society and has been teaching the Teachers’ topic.
Edward Thurman Higbee, her husband, is a farmer, mechanic, and welder. He is capable in planning and building machinery, such as he uses on the farm, and other large pieces for contractors and builders and the State Yard. He works at the State Yard shops during the winter and spends most of his time on the farm during the summer. He has 3 sons whom he has taught to love the land and to use machinery, as well as to work. The family has enjoyed working and playing together.
Edward Thurman & Thelma (Miller) Higbee had 3 children, b in Cedar City:
BERGETTA MILLER, 3rd child of Horace & BERGETTA (Henrie) MILLER, was b. 1 Aug. 1904, in Panguitch, Utah [bapt 1910s, end. & S.to H. 1930s]; m.. 27 July 1927, Panguitch, to Jared Johnson Orton, s. of Samuel Taylor & Esther Ellis (Johnson) Orton. He was b. 2 Apr. 1901, Parowan, Utah [bapt. 5 June 1909, end. 1930s], d. 1950s, in Parowan, and bur. there 15 May.
Bergetta graduated from Garfield High School. She then attended the L.D.S. Business College at Salt Lake City and was given a position as stenographer and bookkeeper in the Panguitch State Bank, where she worked for 2 ½ years. After her marriage she worked intermittently for the Treasurer of Iron County. For the past 6 years she has been Bookkeeper and Teller in the Bank of Iron County, at Parowan. She has held several responsible positions in her church. For 4 years she was bookkeeper for the Stake Welfare of Parowan Stake; has been a teacher in almost every organization; secretary for Stake and Ward Primary, and Stake Beekeeper in the M.I.A. Since her husband’s death she has had to readjust her life. She realizes that each child needs both parents and it is not easy to rear children alone.
Jared Johnson Orton grew up in Parowan and attended grade and high school there. He was reared in a good L.D.S home. As his father died when he was 6 years old, he was practically reared by his mother. He was an active Elder in the church, a good husband and father, and had many friends. He had been working for, the Southern Utah Dairy for 10 years at the time of his death.
Jared Johnson & Bergetta (Miller) Orton had 3 children:
Reid & Lewen (Orton) Gower had 2 children, b. in Cedar City, Utah:
ALLEN FRANCIS MILLER, 4th child of Horace & Bergetta (Henrie) Miller, was b. 22 Oct. 1906, Panguitch, Utah [bapt. 1910s, end. 1930s]; m. 1920s, Panguitch, to Lena Norton, dau. of Robert William & Tryshea (Myers) Norton. She was b. 15 Aug, 1907, Panguitch [bapt. 1910s, end. S.to H. 1930s, Salt Lake L.D.S. Temple]. They had 5 children:
MC HENRIE MILLER, 7th child of Horace & Bergetta (Henrie) Miller, was b. 1910s, Panguitch, Utah [bapt. 1920s, end. 1940s]; m. 1930s, to Orene-O’Rene Sudweeks, dau. of Preston & Emma Elizabeth (Coates) Sudweeks. She was b. 1910s, Kingston, Utah [bapt.; end. & S.to H. 1940s]. [p. 265]
Mc Henrie & Orene-O’Rene (Sudweeks) Miller had 4 children:
1. Horace Miller Jr., b. 5 Mar. 1899; m. Katherine Jones.
2. Thelma Miller, b. 2 Mar. 1901; m. Edward Thurman Higbee.
3. Bergetta Miller, b. 1 Aug. 1904; m. Jared Johnson Orton.
4. Allen Francis Miller, b. 22 Oct. 1906; m. Lena Norton.
5. Nellie Miller, b. 1910s, d. same day.
6. Kenneth Miller, b. 1910s, d. 1910s.
7. Mc Henrie Miller, b. 1910s; m. Orene-O’Rene Sudweeks.
1. Gwendolyn Miller b. 1920s, Monroe, Utah [bapt. 1930s]; m. 1940s, Ogden, Utah, to Ronald Eugene Bell, s. of Glen Eugene & Alpha Almina (Airman) Bell. He was b. 1930s, Ogallala, Keith Co., Neb. [bapt. 1940s]. She attended the Brigham Young University and has been active in church organizations. They had 2 children:
(1) Shannon Dee Bell, b. 1940s, Ogden, Utah.
(2) Michael Eugene Bell, b. 1950s, Ogden.
2. Kathryn Miller, b. 1920s, Logan, Utah [bapt. 1930s, S. to p. 1950s, end. & S.to H. 1950s]; m. 1940s, Ogden, to Keith Lee Lund, s. of Francis Marion & Elizabeth Martha ( Ellis ) Lund. He was b. 1920s, Plain City, Utah [bapt. 1930s, end. 1950s]. Kathryn attended Weber College, in Ogden; she was active in church and school work.
Keith’s grandfather was Mathias Funk who had the name changed to Lund. Keith excelled in athletics; was school vice-president in 7th grade; most popular boy in 8th grade, selected at the graduating dance; received high schooling at Ogden. He worked at Fish Lake Resort and Utah General Depot. He attended Weber College 1 yr. He then worked for the Bureau of Roads as a surveyor; then Swift & Co., Ogden, and attended their school of management Present residence: Roy, Utah. They had 1 child
(1) Kristine Lund, b. 1950s, Ogden, Utah. [p. 262]
3. H. Lewis Miller, 3rd child of Horace & Katherine (Jones) Miller Jr., was b. 1930s, Ogden, Utah [bapt. 1940s, S.to P. 1950s]. He enlisted May 1952 for active duty in the Naval Reserve, served 17 months in Sasebo, Japan, and took the opportunity of helping in the church while there.
4. Janet Miller, b. 1930s, Ogden, Utah [bapt. 1940s, S.to P. 1950s]; m. 1950s, to Robert Mathie. She graduated from Weber College and has been an active church worker.
5. Vesta Jo Miller, b. Fruita, Colo. [bapt. 1940s, S.to P. 1950s].
1. Edward Miller Higbee, b. 1920s [bapt. 1930s, end. 1940s]. He is a student at the Utah State Agricultural College at Logan, Utah, and plans to graduate in 1954 with a major in Arts and crafts He filled a 2 year mission to to Central Atlantic states, as well as c. 21 month Stake mission. Like his father, he loves to build useful articles [p. 263]
2. Bevan J. Higbee, 2nd child of Edward Thurman & Thelma (Miller) Higbee, was b. 1930s, Cedar City, Utah [bapt. 1940s]. Graduated in Business from the Branch Agricultural College at Cedar City in May 1953. He entered military service 12 Aug. 1953 and began his training at Fort Ord, Calif. He holds the office of a Priest in the church.
3. Horace Wayne Higbee, b. 1930s, Cedar City [bapt. 1940s]. He is his “father’s right-hand man” on the farm while his brothers are getting their education and military training.
1. Lewen Orton, b. 1920s, Panguitch, Utah [bapt. 1930s, S.to P. 1930s, end. & S. to H. 1940s]; m. 1940s, St. George (L.D.S. Temple), to Reid Gower, s. of George Henry & Alice Jane (Perry) Gower. He was b.1 Dec. 1921, Cedar City, Utah [bapt.; end. 1940s]. She graduated from Parowan High School and L.D.S. Seminary; she has taught in Primary; has been secretary of Sunday School, and assistant chorister in the M.I.A. Reid Gower graduated from Cedar High School; he joined the National Guard 26 Dec. 1940; entered active service 3 Mar. 1941 and spent 43 months in the Hawaiian Islands as Technician 4th Grade (radio operator). He received an honorable discharge in Oct. 1945. He is a carpenter and builder by trade. [p. 264]
(1) Steven Orton Gower, b. 1940s.
(2) Stewart Reid Gower, b. 1950s.
2. Jed Lavell Orton, 2nd child of Jared Johnson & Bergetta (Miller) Orton, was b. 1930s, Parowan, Utah, d. 1930s at Parowan and bur. there.
3. Norma Hodean Orton, b. 1930s, Cedar City, Utah [bapt. 1940s]. She is attending Parowan High School and L.D.S. Seminary. She takes an active part in church; has been secretary of the Sunday School and assistant chorister in the M.I.A.
1. Gaitha Miller, b. 1930s, Panguitch, Utah [bapt. 1930s, end. & S.to H. 1940s-9]; m. 1940s-9, St. George (L.D.S. Temple), to Milo Elroy Lyon, s. of Ernal Elroy & Jenny (Gale) Lyon. He was b. 1930s, Beaver, Utah [bapt. 1930s, end. 1940s]. They had 2 children, b. in Panguitch;
(1) Robert Milo Lyon, b. 1950s.
(2) Duane Miller Lyon, b. 1950s.
2. Marilyn Miller, b. 1930s, Panguitch [bapt. 1940s].
3. Francis Dwight Miller, b. 1930s, Panguitch [bapt. 1940s].
4. Kent N. Miller, b. 1930s, Spanish Fork, Utah [bapt. 1940s].
5. Boyd L. Miller, b. 1940s, Panguitch.
1. Mc Sheridan Miller, be 21 Dec. 1939, Emery, Emery Co., Utah [bapt. 1940s].
2. Preston J. Miller, b. 1940s, Richfield, Utah [bapt, 22 May]
3. Bertha Gaylene Miller, b. 1940s, Panguitch, Utah.
4. Helen Miller, b. 1950s, Panguitch. [p. 266]
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