Dr. Seidner, who had had seven years' schooling in Germany, with a year and a half
devoted to a commercial course in high school, entered a factory, in which he was
employed for a year. He afterward spent four years in a department store and during
that period was attending night school, thus acquainting himself not only with branches
of learning but with the language and customs of the people among whom his lot had
been cast. Upon him devolved the support of his mother, so that it was impossible for
him to attend the day school. However, he finished his high school course in night
school and then entered upon the study of medicine in Chicago College of Medicine and
Surgery. In order to meet his expenses he worked at night while preparing for the
practice of medicine and surgery and he completed his medical course in 1917, at which
time his professional degree was conferred upon him.
Seeking the opportunities of the west, Dr. Seidner made his way to Ogden, Utah,
where he entered the Dee Memorial Hospital as house physician and surgeon, thus
remaining , for a year and gaining that broad and valuable experience which is never
acquired as quickly in any other way as in hospital practice. Following America's en-
trance into the great World war, he joined the army and served at the hospital at Camp
Lewis until December, 1918, when he was released from military duty but reenlisted in
the Medical Reserve as first lieutenant. Soon afterward he obtained a position as surgeon
with the Spring Canyon Coal Company and with the Peerless Coal Company, having
his headquarters at Storrs, and he is still connected with the two corporations in a pro-
fessional capacity.
At Salt Lake City, on the 20th of August, 1918, Dr. Seidner was married to Miss
Gertrude Evertsen, a graduate nurse of the Dee Hospital of Ogden and a daughter of
J. W. and Hendrina (Coppenberg) Evertsen, who were natives of Holland and came to
Utah in 1912, settling at Ogden, where they now reside.
Dr. Seidner is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, having his
membership in the lodge at Storrs, and chairman of the American Legion, of Storrs.
UTAH SINCE STATEHOOD 89
Through individual effort he has become a man of scholarly attainments, and through
broad reading he keeps in touch with the trend of modern professional thought and
progress, acquainting himself with all that scientific research brings to light which bears
upon medical and surgical practice.
J. C. FONNESBECK.
J. C. Fonnesbeck is one of the owners of the Fonnesbeck Knitting Mill at Logan and
also of a retail store. He thus figures prominently in connection with the commercial
and manufacturing interests of the city and in all that he undertakes is actuated by a
spirit of enterprise that produces most desired results. He was born in Denmark in
1873, a son of M. J. and Laurentine Fonnesbeck, who in the year 1892 arrived in Utah.
They had become converts to the faith of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints, and crossing the Atlantic, they took up their abode in this state, removing in
1900 to the Cache valley. Here the father and his sons established the Fonnesbeck
Knitting Mill and in addition thereto opened a retail store for the handling of the
goods which they make.
J. C. Fonnesbeck was reared in his native country and pursued his education in
the public schools of Denmark. He had attained the age of nineteen years when the
family emigrated to the new world and through the intervening period he has lived in
Utah. His business training was received under his father's direction and he has
been actively identified with his father and brothers in the conduct of the Fonnesbeck
Knitting Mill since its establishment. They manufacture all kinds of knit goods and
their business is now a very substantial and important one. They employ several
people in the factory and on the road and the enterprise has become one of the lead-
ing productive industries of Logan. They also maintain a retail store for the sale of
their goods in Logan and their trade has reached gratifying proportions.
In 1904 Mr. Fonnesbeck was married to Miss Anna Andersen, a daughter of Emil
and Ann C. Andersen. They have become the parents of five children: Marinus, Alice,
Frank, Francis and Elaine. Mr. Fonnesbeck is a supporter of the democratic party and
his family are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He is
well known in the Cache valley, where he has lived for the past nineteen years. His
spirit of enterprise and progressiveness has firmly established him among the repre-
sentative business men of the district and his labors have found culmination in the
development of one of the important manufacturing concerns of the Cache valley.
OLOF REUBEN MICHELSEN.
One of the members of the Utah bar is Olof Reuben Michelsen, of Monroe, who
was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, in April, 1885. His parents were Niels and Amelia
(Jeppesen) Michelsen, who came to America in 1886 and first settled in Salt Lake
City but afterward removed to Monroe, Sevier county, where the father established a
hardware store, which he is still conducting in that thriving village.
When a babe, his son, O. R. Michelsen, suffered from an .attack of spinal meningi-
tis, which left him without the use of his lower limbs. Possessing a remarkable amount
of pure grit, he has refused to acknowledge his handicap and has forced his way to
the front. His primary education was obtained in the mission schools of Sevier county
and he then determined that under no circumstances would he become a burden upon
his parents. He accordingly pursued a business course in the Latter-day Saints Uni-
versity at Salt Lake City and later completed his law education in the Leland Stan-
ford University of California and the University of Utah. Having thus acquired a
broad literary learning to serve as the foundation on which to build the superstruc-
ture of professional knowledge, he took up the study of law and was admitted to the
courts of Utah, where he has since enjoyed an excellent practice. He has ever played
a man's game, wastes no sympathy upon himself and resents it from others. He is
one of the most active and capable lawyers of Sevier county. In 1916 he was elected
county attorney and was reelected in 1918, so that he is still occupying the office.
In addition he has for one year been the legal adviser of Piute county. He has been
90 UTAH SINCE STATEHOOD
retained as legal counselor by many large mining and irrigation companies and has
the reputation of being thoroughly posted on the technicalities of the mining, drain-
age and irrigation laws which have to do with the development of this section. He is
also the legal adviser of the board of county commissioners and was for four years city
attorney of Monroe. He is at all times an aggressive, hard fighter in the courts and
his position is fortified by a most broad and comprehensive knowledge of the prin-
ciples of jurisprudence.
Mr. Michelsen is an enthusiastic photographer and has taken many beautiful pic-
tures of the mountains and canyons of Sevier county and southern Utah. In social
life he is a pleasant, cheerful companion and is always ready to help a friend or neigh-
bor. The moments which he can spare from his many activities in connection with
the bar he devotes to his farm at Monroe. Everywhere he is spoken of in terms of the
highest regard and the circle of his friends is almost coextensive with that of his
acquaintance.
EPHRAIM ALBERT COWLEY.
Ephraim Albert Cowley, the president and manager of the Cowley Furniture Com-
pany of Richfield and head of one of the leading business interests of the city, was
born in Logan, Cache county, Utah, in 1874, a son of Charles C. and Elener (Curtis)
Cowley. He pursued his early education in the schools of Cache county, followed by
study in the Brigham Young University at Provo and the Latter-day Saints University
of Salt Lake. After completing his education he taught school until called to a mis-
sion to Australia, where he spent three years. Upon his return to Utah he engaged
in the creamery business but after three years devoted to that industry sold out and
organized the Cowley Furniture Company, of which he is now ,the president and manager.
His establishment is one of the largest and most complete house furnishing concerns
in southern Utah and enjoys a widespread popularity for superior goods and reliable
dealing. The stock embraces every article that the housewife demands and the rea-
sonable prices, the thorough business methods and the reliability of the firm secure
it a most liberal and well deserved patronage.
In May, 1899, Mr. Cowley was united in marriage to Miss Annie Dastrup at Manti
Temple. The Dastrup name is found often on the pages of Utah's history, for the
family was among the earliest of the pioneer settlers of southern Utah, and the daugh-
ter, Annie, was reared at Sigurd, Sevier county. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Cow-
ley are: Lamoyne E., W. Valdez, Frank Lavon, who are being most carefully reared.
They are now students in the graded schools of Richfield.
Mr. Cowley is an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
and has been stake superintendent of Sunday schools for the past ten years. No man in
Sevier county holds a higher place in the esteem of his neighbors and fellow citizens.
As a merchant, as a citizen and as a churchman his record is above reproach and he
is thus contributing in large measure to the development of his city and county along
material, intellectual and moral lines.
MARK W. JEFFS.
Mark W. Jeffs, a lumber merchant of Heber, was born in England, January 2,
1847, and is a son of Richard and Martha (Walker) Jeffs, who were natives of that
country. There the mother spent her entire life, but in 1862 the father came to the
new world, traveling by rail to Omaha, Nebraska, and thence with ox teams across
the country as one of a train of seven hundred wagons or more. It required about
three months to make the trip.
Mark W. Jeffs was one of a family of nine children born to his parents and is the
only one now living. He was but fifteen years of age when he and his father arrived
in Utah and since that time has been dependent entirely upon his own resources, not
only providing for his own support but also taking care of his father, who went blind
in the fall following their arrival in this state. Mark W. Jeffs worked in the canyon
for some years and later engaged in merchandising on a small scale at Heber. He was
MARK W. JEFFS
UTAH SINCE STATEHOOD 93
connected with mercantile interests until 1906 and in the meantime had developed
the business to extensive proportions, employing from ten to twelve salespeople. He
then retired from mercantile pursuits and later purchased the Wasatch Lumber Com-
pany's yard, which he now owns and conducts. He is also the owner of a fine farm,
all under the ditch, and the Jeffs Hotel at Heber. His business affairs have been care-
fully conducted and sound judgment has marked his course at all times.
In 1868 Mr. Jeffs was united in marriage to Miss Mary Carlisle, a native of Eng-
land, and to them were born three children, all of whom are living. For his second
wife Mr. Jeffs chose Miss Sarah Ann Chatwin and they had five children, of whom
two are living. His third marriage was to Miss Elizabeth Egner, a native of England.
Mr. Jeffs has always been a consistent member of the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints. He served on a mission to England for two years and he is now
a member of the High Priests' Quorum. His political allegiance is given to the demo-
cratic party, but the honors and emoluments of office have never had attraction for
him. He is a self-made man who has not only promoted his own fortunes but has also
assisted largely in the development and progress of the region in which he has so
long made his home. At the tender age of seven years he commenced work in a factory
in his native land and has continued active throughout life. 'Although he is now
seventy-three years of age he is still hale and hearty and by all who know him he Is
held in the highest regard, on account of his honorable dealings and reliability in
all things. He can look back over the trail he has left with pride and the assurance
that what he has got was acquired honestly and at the expense of no one. His friends
are legion.
HYRUM E. CROCKETT.
Hyrum E. Crockett, whose study of financial problems and experience along this
line well qualifies him for the important duties that devolve upon him as the cashier
of the First National Bank of Logan, was born April 6, 1873, in the city which is still
his home, and is a representative of a family that has long been prominently connected
with the development and progress of the state. His parents were Alvin and Mary
Sophia (Reed) Crockett. The father, now deceased, was a native of Maine and belonged
to one of the old families of the Pine Tree state. His ancestors originally settled and
owned Vinal Haven, off the coast of Maine. The family was of Scotch lineage and
soon after the arrival of the Mayflower on the shores of Massachusetts representatives
of the name came to the new world. In the year 1849 Alvin Crockett, leaving New
England, made his way to Utah. He was then a young man of but nineteen years.
He settled first at Salt Lake, where he was stationed in charge of an armed organization
appointed by the territorial governor to keep out Johnston's army. He held the rank
of colonel and continued in the service until the abolishment of the army by the
United States government. He afterward removed to Payson, Utah, and in the early
'50s became a resident of the Cache valley. He followed agricultural pursuits there
and during the later years of his ilfe gave his attention to contracting and building.
He was the first mayor of Logan and also served in the positions of sheriff and marshal
for twnty-five years in the days when the office was conducted without pay. He was
a devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and very active in
church work. Throughout the community he was regarded as a most highly respected
citizen and a man of genuine personal worth. He acted as high counselor of the Cache
stake for many years and was as successful in his church work as he was in his business
undertakings and other activities. He died in 1905, at the age of seventy-two years.
His wife bore the maiden name of Mary Sophia Reed and was a native of Vermont,
belonging to one of the old New England families. The ancestral line is traced back
to the eleventh century. Both the * paternal and maternal ancestors of Hyrum E.
Crockett- were connected with the Scotch nobility. His mother died in Logan in 1900,
at the age of sixty-eight years. She had a family of twelve children, seven sons and
five daughters.
Hyrum E. Crockett, who was the tenth in order of birth, was educated in the
pubic schools, in the Brigham Young College and in the Agricultural College of Utah
at Logan, from which he was graduated on the completion of a commercial course. He
then started out to earn his own livelihood. He was first associated in business with
94
his father, giving his attention to contracting and building, with which he became
familiar under his father's direction, successfully working along that line in Logan
for a period of ten years. On the 1st of January, 1900, he became identified with the
financial interests of Logan by entering the First National Bank as assistant book-
keeper. From that position he has worked his way steadily upward through various
departments and promotions until he has reached his present position as cashier, acting
in that capacity since 1914. In this connection he contributes much to the success of
the institution. He is ever a courteous and obliging official and he has thoroughly
acquainted himself with every phase of the banking business. He is also the president
of the Central Milling Company of Logan and thus figures prominently in the business
circles of the city. He is likewise a director of the Logan Home Builders Society.
He has made continuous advancement since starting out on his own account when
a youth of sixteen years. He early recognized the eternal principle that industry wins
and industry became the beacon light of his life. He saw, too, that success slips away
from the sluggard and tauntingly plays before the dreamer as a will-o'-the-wisp but
yields its fruits to the man of energy and persistency of purpose. These qualities
he has therefore cultivated and step by step he has progressed in the business world.
On the 10th of- May, 1897, Mr. Crockett was married in Logan Temple tp Miss
Susie Facer, a daughter of Bishop George and Susannah (Nebeker) Facer, of Wil-
lard, Utah, both representatives of families long connected with this state. To Mr.
and Mrs. Crockett were born four children, these being Verba May, Areba, Hyrum
Clissimore and Alvin Facer. The last natned is deceased. The wife and mother
passed away in 1910 at the age of thirty-one years. In September, 1911, Mr. Crockett
was again married in Logan Temple, Miss Susette Turner becoming his wife. She
was born in Paris, Idaho, a daughter of Fred and Sarah Ann (Car don) Turner, the
former now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Crockett have three children: Cardon Turner,
Susie Turner, and Joseph Turner Crockett.
Mr. Crockett is a consistent member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints and is an active supporter of its work. He served for three and a half years as
bishop of Logan in the seventh ward and occupied the superintendency of the Cache
Stake Sunday school for four years. He also served in the seventh ward as Sunday school
superintendent for seven years. In politics he is an earnest republican but has never
been an office seeker. He belongs to the -Logan Commercial Bootsers Club, of which
he is a director, and for three years he occupied the position of treasurer of the
Agricultural College of Utah. During the period of the war he has taken an active
part in promoting the sale of War Savings Stamps and Liberty bonds and has con-
tributed in every possible way to the success of the country in its trial of arms with
the militarism of Germany. His has been an active, useful and well spent life which
has commanded for him the confidence and respect of all with whom he has been
associated, and in Logan, where he has always lived, the circle of his friends is almost
coextensive with the circle of his acquaintance.
PETER HANSEN.
Peter Hansen, of Smithfield, who is identified with ranching, was born in Den-
mark, April 23, 1864, a son of Ole and Marie Hansen. He came with his mother to
Utah in 1868, settling at Logan, where they lived for a year and then removed to
Smithfield, where they have since resided. In 1869 they were joined by the father,
who here turned his attention to the occupation of farming. He was also prominently
identified with the building of canals and with the promotion of various other public
enterprises leading to the development and improvement of the state.
Peter Hansen acquired his education in the public schools of Smithfield and has
followed farming as a life work. He has been extensively engaged in beet growing,
planting about fifty acres per year and harvesting an extensive crop. In his business
affairs he displays unremitting energy and sound judgment and his labors are bringing
him substantial results.
On the 30th of December, 1885, Mr. Hansen was married to Miss Ida L. Gammet,
a daughter of Solomon and Sophia (Sorensen) Gammet. The father is a native son
of the United States, but the mother was born in Denmark. Mr. and Mrs. Hansen have
become parents of eleven children, of whom ten are yet living, while Ivan P. has passed
UTAH SINCE STATEHOOD 95
away. Those who survive are Luella, Nora, George, Willard, Verna, Leslie, Edgar,
Harold, Orlin and Morris. Nora filled a mission to the central states in 1915 and
1916.
Mr. Hansen has remained an active factor in the work of the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints and was for seven years connected with Logan Temple.
For two years, from 1892 until 1894, he was on a mission to Denmark. In civic affairs
he has also been actively interested and was mayor of Smithfield in 1910 and 1911.
He was likewise a member of the city council for two terms and a member of the
school board for six years. Everything that has to do with the welfare and upbuild-
ing of the district is of interest to him and can count upon his substantial support.
W. J. EMIGHOLZ.
The Utah Fuel Company has built up a wonderful organization in its plant and
methods. Those in control of its affairs have surrounded themselves with assistants
who are thoroughly capable and W. J. Emigholz is numbered with these, holding the
position of chief clerk of the coke ovens at Sunnyside, where are found the largest
number of coke ovens all together in the world. His progress has been continuous
since he started out in business life.
He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, July 8, 1884, a son of William J. and Emma
(Clatt) Emigholz. The father came to the United States with his parents when about
ten years of age and was educated in Cincinnati, where he later engaged in retail mer-
chandising. He died in 1897 at the age of forty-nine years, but the mother still makes
her home in Cincinnati and has reached the age of sixty-eight years.
In the public schools of Cincinnati W. J. Emigholz pursued his education and when
nineteen years of age passed the civil service examination that indicated his qualifica-
tions for appointment to a position in the postoffice at Cincinnati. After two years,
however, he removed to the west, making his way to Pueblo, Colorado, where he secured
a clerical position with the Colorado Fuel & Iron Company, there remaining for five
years, or until 1910. In that year he removed to Sunnyside, Utah, accepting the posi-
tion of chief clerk of the coke ovens, an important service, as nowhere else in the
world are to be found so many coke ovens all together. Through the intervening period
of nine years Mr. Emigholz has remained with the Utah Fuel Company, his efforts
being entirely satisfactory to the corporation which he represents.
In Denver, Colorado, on the 10th of February, 1908, Mr. Emigholz was married to
Miss Grace C. Johnstone, a daughter of Myers P. and Henrietta F. Johnstone. They
removed from Illinois to Coolidge, Kansas, where their daughter Grace was born
November 4, 1890. The father has passed away but the mother now makes her home
in Pueblo, Colorado.
In religious faith Mr. and Mrs. Emigholz are connected with the Lutheran church
and he is a valued and examplary member of the Masonic fraternity and the Inde-
pendent Order of Odd Fellows. In community affairs he has taken a deep and helpful
interest, serving as town clerk of Sunnyside, and for two terms he has been justice of
the peace.
OSCAR F. RICE.
Oscar F. Rice, identified with ranching interests near Logan and dividing his time
between business activities and churchly duties, being a bishop of the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints, was born in Providence, Utah, March 17, 1870, a son of
Oscar North and Jane Clarissa (Miller) Rice, the former a native of Michigan, while
the latter was born in Illinois. They came to Utah in 1847 with the early settlers of
the state and took up their abode at Farmington, where they resided until 1860, when
they removed to the Cache valley, locating first in Smithfield. Two years later they
removed to Providence, where they lived for eight years and then became residents of
Logan. The father was a farmer by occupation and contributed much to the agricul-
tural development and material upbuilding of his section of the state. He became one
of the promoters and builders of the first canal and was also active in the building of
96 UTAH SINCE STATEHOOD
the roads. His churchly duties were cared for with equal diligence and he was a
member of the Quorum of Seventy. He met all of the hardships and experiences of
life on the frontier and participated in several skirmishes with the Indians.
Oscar F. Rice acquired his education in the public schools of Logan and in the
Brigham Young College, which he attended for two terms. He was reared to the
occupation of farming, early becoming familiar with the best methods of tilling the
soil and caring for the crops. Throughout his entire life he has continued active along
agricultural lines and is the owner of a valuable ranch property near Logan, on which
he raises high grade stock and carries on general farming, producing the crops that