The Smiths of Granger: A 53-Acre Testament to Pioneer Self-Reliance
Manasseh & Mary Ann Smith: Builders of Home, Heart, and Community in Granger
Born in England in 1853, Manasseh Smith learned the value of hard work early. At just eight years old, he began helping his father in the bricklaying trade—carrying bricks and mortar boards as a young boy. That early training laid the foundation for a lifetime of craftsmanship and devotion. In 1871, he married Mary Wyatt, and two years later, sent for her and their young son to join her parents in Utah. Manasseh worked tirelessly to repay the debt and finally arrived in Salt Lake City in 1874—with just fifty cents in his pocket and a determined heart.
A master bricklayer, Manasseh left his mark across the West. He worked on major construction projects in Utah, Idaho, New Mexico, Montana, California, Canada, and Old Mexico. Many iconic Salt Lake City buildings—including the Zion’s Bank, Brigham Young Trust Building, and Dinwoody Furniture—were built with his skilled hands. He often worked side-by-side with his brothers, building not only structures, but a legacy.
In 1884, the Smiths moved to Murray, and later purchased 53 acres in Granger, where they created a self-sufficient farm and a home full of faith and service. Manasseh served faithfully as the second chorister of the Granger Ward until 1903, and as Sunday School superintendent until his death. He also supervised the construction of the original Granger Ward building on 3200 W and 3500 S—a structure built so well that even in 1960, demolition crews struggled to remove its cement foundation.
In 1896, Manasseh served a mission to England, returning in 1898 after the heartbreaking loss of two children. He and Mary Ann would raise 11 children. She became a beloved midwife in the area, always serving neighbors in need with compassion and skill.
Their land, located near a gravel bed on the east side of their property, was known for its wildflowers—pansies, Sego lilies, lady fingers, and buttercups. The Smiths raised grain, fruits, vegetables, and livestock, including cows that provided all their dairy needs. With no refrigeration, they cured their own meat and only visited the store for essentials like sugar or coal oil. Their large orchard and strawberry beds made their homestead both beautiful and bountiful.
The story of Manasseh and Mary Ann Smith is one of grit, faith, service, and self-reliance. Their home still stands today, a testament to the legacy they built—one brick and one act of love at a time.
