Thursday, July 22, 2010

PIONEERS

In the year 1856 Richard Collings
and his wife, Emma, traveled with their children from England to Iowa City, Iowa.  There they put possessions and supplies in a wooden handcart and joined a party of pioneers to walk across a thousand miles of unsettled territory and on through the Rocky Mountains.


As they reached the middle of what is now Wyoming, an early winter storm stopped their progress.  The storm became a blizzard and the group--already suffering starvation--had to deal with unimaginable conditions.  Their plight was reported to settlers in Utah.  A rescue party immediately set out.  Included in this group was man named Isaac Cooper.


Although many of those stranded perished, Richard and his family were among the survivors--thanks in large part to the heroic efforts of the rescuers.


Now go forward in time to the 1940's.
Lin Cooper, the great grandson of Isaac Cooper (because of a military deferment) was among the few young bachelors not yet called to serve for the United States in World War II.  Thus there were plenty of young ladies competing for his attention at the dances in Jerome, Idaho.
Lin took a shine to Blanche Collings, the great granddaughter of Richard and Emma.  Lin and Blanche became each other's favorite dance partner.
In 1943 they were married.
As one of their four children, I'll be forever grateful that Isaac Cooper volunteered to ride through the snow to help rescue Richard Collings and his family.

12 comments:

  1. What a wonderful story!!

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  2. What a lovely story - how many people in the US must have incredible stories about the people who were the pioneers - goodness me, no wonder you are all such strong people now - you come from exceptional stock!

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  3. What a beautiful series of photographs! I found your stories fascinating Leenie. Thank you for sharing these.

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  4. That's amazing. Your parents were related by history! Not many people can claim that.
    How did you find all this out, or did your folks already know about it?

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  5. Ahh..both intriguing and touching! I enjoyed your story and photos very much Leenie! Thanks for this delightful share (sometimes I hate using share- but I mean it:))
    I have a family post in the back burner but want to make it simple? Thanks for the way you presented this too-

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  6. Hi, Leenie -- happy to meet you! And your pioneer ancestors. It was nice to be given pause for a moment because now that I no longer live in Utah, Pioneer Day slips by unnoticed. Thanks for sharing your story!

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  7. Awesome story and photos! And the photos were in pristine condition! Did you have anything to do with that? Just wondering? Learning some fun stuff at school. You always have such a way with words and photos together.

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  8. Such a small Kevin Bacon world...Great combination of cuteness-and aren't we all glad they knew how to procreate! Inland bunch, tough people and you are right about the wind blowing- Wyoming SUCKS! the south eastern part anyway- like a black hole except less desirable.

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  9. WOW - awesome story. I teared up just a little there. Don't tell anyone...
    :-)
    BB

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  10. A very good story! Isn't it amazing what our fore-fathers indured just to live here?

    Linda
    http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com

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  11. From Jewel and Mark ,
    Thanks Eileen for posting these pictures. They are a treasure to all of us.

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  12. Thanks for the post Eileen. What a great treasure it is for the whole family.

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