James and Ellen Athay
Information comes from Amy Athay in the History of Bear Lake Pioneers
James Athay 1 Sep 1832 in Shipham England, the son of Francis and Jane (Hares). From the age of ten years James was forced to battle with life on his own. He acquired a sold and valuable education on his own. He went to London in 1840 where he apprenticed himself to learn the whalebone trade at which he worked for 21 years. He was baptized in the LDS Church 3 Nov 1855 and devoted himself to the propagation of his belief and was called to preside over the White Chapel Branch of London where he presided for four years. He married Ellen Morris 10 May 1857 in England. She was born 12 Apr 1832 in South Wraxhall England, the daughter of William Morris and Mary Maggs. Ellen had been baptized 3 Sep 1848.
At an early age Ellen started working in a corset factory and spent hours as a pastry cook for the Royal family. They set sail 4 June 1863 on the ship Amazon to America under the direction of William Bramall. They landed at Castle Garden in New York 18 July 1863 and left immediately for Florence Nebraska. Between Albany New York and St Joseph everything they had was burned in a railroad car. They were locked in another car for three days. They traveled on a flat boat up the Missouri River for three days. It was at the time of the Civil War and at times, bullets were flying over their heads.
They arrived in Salt Lake City in October and President advised them to go to Logan. They stayed for one year and then were called to settle in Paris and arrived in 1864. In the winter of 1864-65 he and others constructed the first dam placed in Bear Lake at Wardboro, over which the Oregon Short Line crossed the river.
Children of James Athay and Ellen Morris
1. Henry Athay b-25 June 1858 in London
England; d-26 Sep 1936 in Paris; m-Ellen Price
2. William Athay b-15 Sep 1859 in London; d-10 May 1941 in Logan; m-Emma Smith
3. Marintha Athay b-25 July 1861 in London; d-25 Nov 1929 in Conda Idaho;
m-Philemon Lindsay
4. Alice Athay b-22 Aug 1863 in Plum Creek Nebraska; d-22 June 1895 in Paris;
m-Arthur Budge
5. Ellen Athay b-7 Dec 1865 in Paris; d-28 May 1933 in Logan
6. Louisa Athay b-29 Apr 1868 in Paris; d-22 Feb 1949; m-Heber Smedley
7. Frank Athay b-21 Mar 1870 in Paris; d-4 Apr 1946 in Paris; m-Louisa Cole
8. Asa Athay b-4 Mar 1875 in Paris; d-19 July 1959 in Paris; m-Amy Arvilla Munk
9. David Athay b-21 Dec 1877 in Paris; d-15 June 1947; m-Julia Blair
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Ellen died 30 Nov 1893 in Paris and was buried in the Paris cemetery. James Athay died 19 Feb 1906 in Paris and was also buried in the Paris cemetery.