Mary Harriet Critchlow Jensen

Profile

Born January 31, 1864, Riverdale, Weber County, Utah. Attended public and private schools in Ogden until fifteen years of age, then was an assistant teacher in the First Ward School. At sixteen, began teaching in the country schools. Later taught in Ogden City schools. At nineteen, I attended the University of Utah.

At thirteen I learned dress-making. At fourteen learned tailoring. Bought an organ and furnished the parlor with the first money made teaching school. Did all of the family sewing after thirteen and during the summer sewed for other people at fifty cents a day. One summer I made 30 dresses.

Learned to play the organ at 15 and was organist for Primary and Assistant Organist for Mutual. Was married at 20, had eight children, and helped make a living.

After marriage, taught school, gave music lessons, was book agent, worked in a store, taught painting and fancy work, kept boarders, took in sewing, worked at insurance and real estate. Have been a “Jack of all trades and master of none.”

Have worked as an officer in all of the organizations in the church, except Religion Class off and one for fifty-five years. Was Stake Counseler in the Y.L.M.I.A. of Box Elder Stake for six years. Stake Secretary of Blackfoot Stake Relief Society one year. Stake officer of the Salt Lake Stake for 20 years, two of which was Stake President. Was one of a committee of four who prepared the first outlines for Mother’s work in the Relief Society.

Was on the California Mission Relief Society Board for one year, and was President of the Utah Women’s Press Club one year.

Have always wanted to become a writer, but never seemed to have time. Have written a number of poems – several of which have been published in Utah magazines. Received seventeen dollars for three poems and fifty dollars for a short story from the McFadden Publishing Co., New York.

My hobby is genealogy, which I have been working on for forty years. Have obtained over two thousand Critchlow names which I have compiled, together with a brief history of the Critchlows, which is now being published serially in the Utah Genealogical Magazine.

Have traveled considerably in the last few years. Have been in most of the States of the Union and visited many of the principal cities. Have been in England, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, and Italy. Spent three weeks in Rome. Went to the Crater of Mt. Vesuvius near Naples.

Have been on the Gulf of Mexico in a severe storm and have traveled on the Pacific Ocean. Have been fishing on the Susquehana Bay and caught my first fish. Have traveled for the General Board of the Relief Society in Stakes throughout Utah, Idaho, Oregon and Arizona.

Have been in several earthquakes in Calif. And have had a fire and flood in my home. Have had many thrilling and exciting experiences in my life-time. Had poor health until the last six years. Since 61 st birthday have felt fine and now in 70 th year, and still going strong and take keen enjoyment in living and being busy.

Have had a busy life, plenty to worry about, but taking it all around, am bound to say that I have been greatly blessed in spite of my troubles; and have had, I’m sure, more bright days than cloudy ones. Summing it all up I can say:

I’ve had some losses and some gain;

Had some pleasures and some pain;

Learned some lessons – more to get;

Inclined to worry and to fret;

Some ambitions yet fulfilled;

But still hope on and watch and pray

I’ll reach the goal somehow-some day.

Since writing the above, I have been put in as Historian of the 24 th Camp of the Daughters of the Pioneers, and teacher of Theology in the 24 th Ward Relief Society. I am a member of the Daughters of the Mormon Battalion, and am eligible to become a members of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

At present am a member of the Salt Lake Genealogical Committee, and am a teacher in the adult group of the M.I.A. of the 24 th Ward, Salt Lake Stake.

[Written by Hattie C, Jensen ]

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