Susan Alice Clark Steed

In Farmington, Davis County, January 14, 1869, I began my earthly experience. I was fourth in a family of ten children. My father, Ezra T. Clark, was a pioneer of 1848. His yoke of oxen crossed the plains seven times to bring immigrants. My mother, Susan Leggett Clark, was born in England, but immigrated to Utah and became my father’s plural wife.

Of my six brothers and three sisters, a closer comradeship existed between my brother, John and me. The joyous companionship continued through childhood, school days and teaching together, but was brought to a close when he left for the Turkish Mission. When the news of his death in that far away land reached us, I felt that life was not worth the living without him. Then I had a spiritual manifestation which restored my natural cheerfulness and I was able to continue my training and work in kindergarten education until my marriage to Walter W. Steed, as a plural wife, June 22, 1897 in Old Mexico.

It was an unusually lovely spring day when I first saw my two room home in Syracuse. It was a newly settled area and still considered by many as a sandy wasteland. However, fruit trees had already been planted and I have lived to see it blossom as was promised. The trees bore luscious fruit, the land teemed forth bounteous crops; houses, barns, silos, and sheds were built and enormous debts paid off. Here my five sons and two daughters (Milton Ezra, Thomas Joseph, Newell, Woodruff, Hubert, Rhoda, Ora) were born and grew up to honorable manhood and womanhood. All have been married in the Temple and five have filled missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints.

I have had the privilege of working in the auxiliaries of the Church and have done considerable temple work. My testimony has been increased by these and other experiences.

My kindergarten experiences are still useful to me. Now that I am Grandmother to over fifty children, I am still trying to carry out the kindergarten plans to brighten their lives. I look back now and think that this is truly the happiest period of my life. I have seen all of my children reared to manhood and womanhood, and in honorable pursuits of life. I have lived to see great transformations from the handcart to the airplane. I have always found companionship in good books, especially the scriptures. Now I have time to read and to listen and realize the blessing which come to the lives of those who strive to do right. I still love to keep busy and find much useful work to occupy my time. Now, in my eighty-fifth year, I eagerly welcome each new day with anticipation for he good things it will bring.