A trio of people have been inducted into the Afton Heritage Hall of Fame. Hyrum Don Carlos Clark, Walter Kenneth Olsen and Violet Ruth Lancaster Hyde will be honored at the Civic Center on July 4, at 11 a.m.

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The 2015 Afton Heritage Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place on Saturday July 4, at 11 a.m. in the Afton Civic Center. Three individuals, Hyrum Don Carlos Clark, Walter Kenneth Olsen and Violet Ruth Lancaster Hyde, will be recognized for their contributions to the Afton and Star Valley areas.

Hyrum Don Carlos Clark

Hyrum Don Carlos Clark

Hyrum Don Carlos Clark 1856 – 1938 Hyrum Don Carlos Clark “HyD” moved from Oakley, Idaho, into a two-room, dirt-roof log cabin in Auburn with his wife and four children in May of 1888. His love of cattle brought him to Star Valley, where he demonstrated his love of the Lord, his family and service to his fellowmen. He settled on a squatter’s claim of 160 acres, eventually buying more land, more cattle, and enlarging his ranch to three thousand acres and a thousand head of cattle. HyD’s love of service was shown, as he became the first Uinta County Commissioner, elected in 1898.

He had a reputation that he could never be bribed, and he very successfully mediated sheep vs. cattle and land disputes. He served two terms as Commissioner, until 1903. He was elected as the first Uinta County School Trustee from 1897 to 1899. He then became President of the Uinta County School District the following term. Clark became known as a great friend to the Indians, and was approached by Chief Washakie, who was suffering from a severe toothache. HyD was known for his ability to pull teeth, so the Chief went to HyD’s home, wanting his painful tooth to be pulled. HyD willingly complied with the request, as Chief Washakie was groaning and writhing in pain. After the tooth extraction, Washakie grasped HyD’s legs, kissed his feet again and again, then springing to his feet with grave dignity, proclaimed, “Heap-a-Wino big White Chief.”

HyD served as First Counselor to Bishop Heman Hyde of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Auburn, Wyoming, Ward from 1894 to 1904. He was on the Star Valley Stake High Council from 1904 to 1912, during which time he acted as a member of the Stake Presidency in the absence of William W. Burton, who was feeble, and spent his winters in warmer climates. HyD eventually built the largest two-story home in Star Valley for his growing family, which also accommodated visiting church dignitaries on assignment. He was Grand Marshal of the Star Valley Celebration of Pioneer Days July 1904. He rode a beautiful high-spirited horse, Old Bell, with fancy Navajo blankets, and as a tall stately man, He commanded respect. He was Chairman of the Finance Committee for construction and furnishing of the Star Valley Stake Tabernacle in Afton, being the single largest financial contributor to the Tabernacle. HyD not only left his legacy in Star Valley, but his image lives on in the face of Angel Moroni, on top of Hill Cumorah, Palmyra, New York.

Shortly after moving to Farmington, Utah, from Star Valley, He was noticed by sculptor Torlief Knaphus on the streets of Salt Lake City. Knaphus was searching for an older man to pose for the head of the statue. Knaphus had to persuade Clark to go to his studio to pose. Once Clark arrived at the studio, he was very surprised to see his son Elwin, who had posed for Angel Moroni’s body. He served a mission for the LDS Church in Tennessee in 1877, which was cut short when he contracted malaria. He then served in California in 1927 and from 1934-1936.