Goodrich descendants pay tribute to pioneer heritage
July 5, 2000
Descendants of George Albert Goodrich gathered at the Uintah Stake Center on
Saturday, July 1, for a family reunion that included most of the original
branches. Family members attended from as far away as Soldotna, Alaska and
London, England. Family friends were invited to be part of the activities
after 5 p.m., and the public was invited to attend "A Tribute to Our
Pioneer Heritage" fireside Saturday evening.
G.A. Goodrich was born in Lunenburg, Mass. in 1839. At age 11, his family moved
from the East to the Salt Lake Valley. He was given the opportunity to adapt to
frontier life at a very early age. During his life, Goodrich was called on
several missions for the LDS church. In 1862 he was called to return to the East
and assist other members in their travels to the Salt Lake Valley. He was part
of the "Muddy Mission," served a mission to Tennessee, and was called
to work on the Salt Lake Temple.
He moved his family to Ashley Valley in 1885, settling in Maeser, and for eight
years operated the first Grist Mill in the valley. He later moved to Merrell
Ward; its name was later changed to Naples Ward. George Albert Goodrich
worked as a stonemason on the Uintah Tabernacle, and was one of the first
employees at the dinosaur quarry. He died in 1911.
The "Uintah Stake Young Women" served the luncheon and assisted in
many ways.
After the luncheon, a family entertainment and musical program was presented
under the direction of John & Connie Roberts of Highland. The Roberts family
exhibited their talents in River Dancing. They also sang some Irish songs in
Gaelic.
Jayare Roberts, with the Family and Church History Department in Salt Lake City,
gave some introductory and advanced classes on family history. Grace Jensen,
from Moses Lake, Wash., gave a 32-minute slide presentation on the G.A. &
Harriet side of the family. Other family members displayed memorabilia of
various sorts.
Kenneth Goodrich from Moses Lake manufactured three bowls that were from various
trees grown in the Uintah Basin and on Diamond Mountain. As a donation to the
reunion, a bowl was presented as a door prize at the Friday evening dinner
buffet, the Saturday morning breakfast buffet, both at the Weston Plaza Hotel,
and one at the main luncheon buffet during the reunion.
The fireside speakers reminded the audience of the many blessings we presently
enjoy that are the result of sacrifices that were made by our pioneer fathers. A
tribute was given to these men and women of the past. Emphasis was placed on the
family unit, and the importance of maintaining strong family ties. This will
most likely be the last Goodrich reunion to include all of the branches for at
least a decade; however, family members were encouraged to stay in contact with
one another, and to support smaller reunions on a regular basis.
Appreciation was extended to President Phillip Manwaring and the Uintah Stake
for the use of their facilities, and to the Stake Young Women for their
assistance.
Compliments of the Vernal Express Newspaper - July
5, 2000