Kristy Robinson Chandler's Family History stories: 6th generation: Eliza Ann Layton (my ggg paternal grandma; Cleora Allred's paternal grandma)

Eliza Ann Layton was born in a wagon near the head of the Humbolt River in Nevada.

Probably about 4

Eliza Ann Layton 8 years old

JOSEPH GILBERT ALLRED, son of Joseph Anderson Allred and Rhoda Ann Palmer, was b. 2 June 1852, Draper, d. 18 Jan 1915, Safford, Graham, Ariz., bur. 20 Jan 1915, Thatcher, Graham, Ariz. He md. (1) at Salt Lake Clty (End. House), 8 Dec. 1873, ELIZA ANN LAYTON.. She was b. 28 May 1856, near Carson City, Ormsby, Nev., dau. of Christopher Layton and Sarah
Martin. She died 11 Apr. 1903, Thatcher; bur. there, 13 Apr; bp. 1866. He md. (2) at Thatcher, Apr. 1904 (sld. 19 Oct. 1904),

CHILDREN of Joseph Gilbert A1lred and Eliza Ann ,Layton. B 3 b. Layton, Davis, Ut.

1. SARAH MARTIN, b. 16 Oct. 1874, Kaysvi11e, Davis, Utah , bp. 3 Apr. 1884; md. 11 June 1901, ALEXANDER .CLARK HUNT.

2. CHRISTOPHER ANDERSON, b. 16 June 1877, d. 29 Mar. 1957, bp. 4 Feb. 1886;
md. 3 Jan. 1900, SILVA MAE FAULKNER.

3. RHODA. OLIVE, b. 2 Oct. 1879, d; 29 July 1880-1.

4. JOSEPH MYRON, b. 6 July 1881, d. 4 Jan.1937, bp. 5 Dec. 1889; md. 16 Apr. 1913, ALICE JOSEPHINE HIGGINS .

5. CHARLES GILBERT, b. 19 Oct. 1883, St. David, Cochise, Ariz., d. 23 Mar 1886.

6. MARGARET (Maggie) ELIZA, b. 16 Apr 1891, Thatcher, Graham, Ariz. , bp. 7 May 1889,
d. 12 May 1955; md. 17 Apr. 1913, JOHN HILBERT ASAY .

Joseph Gilbert was the first of 12 children, eight of whom grew to maturity. They grew up together in the towns of Draper, Kaysvi1le, Nephi and Spring City, Utah.

At the age of 21 he married Eliza Ann in the Endowment House in Salt Lake City. Ten years later after four of their children were born, he and his family joined an immigrant train leaving Kaysville. They were eight days and nights in travel, arriving in St. David, Cochise, Arizona at midnight. Early the next morning following their arrival, Eliza Ann walked a short distance to the San Pedro River and cried because of the lonesomeness of the desert country. They remained four years in St. David. First they lived out-of-doors, sleeping in tents until adobe houses could be built. There had been a prophecy made to these people that there would be much water in this country. Some time after their arrival there, an earthquake cracked open the barren ground and springs came up in many places. Their son Christopher was at the river gathering pebbles and saw this happen. Some dirt fell, but the adobe houses did not crumble. The dishes shook good, however. The people then built houses around the springs and here they would float pans of milk to cool in the spring houses. Their daughter Sarah tells of trapping quail with her brother Christopher and going into Contention with their father as he took in loads of Prairie hay to sell. The children took the quail to the can-can and sold them. This money they earned was their own for special treats and treasures.

Joseph was away from home a great deal, freighting and helping other immigrants in their trek from Utah to Arizona and Mexico. In the story of George Albert Martineau, mention is made of "Joe Allred who was helping transport horses. They unloaded at Tucson and changed to the Spur Line running to St. David. The final unloading point was a small Mexican town, Contention.

About 1887, Joseph with his family moved to Thatcher, Ariz. St. Joseph Stake Center had been moved to Thatcher prior to this time. In Thatcher, they opened a general store which Eliza Ann managed. Joseph still did some freighting and enjoyed speculating. He lost a good deal of property, both real and personal. He at one time had an excellent string of thoroughbred horses which he lost in speculation.

His beloved companion and helpmeet, Eliza Ann, died in 1903 (there were four living children). After her death, he married Elizabeth Allen; there were five children by this union. Following Joseph's death, Elizabeth married Joseph's brother George; they had two children.

Joseph passed away at the age of 62. In spite of his many disastrous business ventures and his speculating, he left several hundred acres of improved farming land to his posterity.

Joseph was a quiet, easy-going personality who tried very hard to provide the best for his family. He contributed a great deal in the settling of the Saints in Arizona, not only by moving his family to such desolate country and helping develop it, but also by helping friends and neighbors establish themselves in a new country.