C. Lambert Bawden: 32 Yrs as Justice of the Peace and Steward of Granger’s Canal
Charles Lambert Bawden: Farmer, Justice, and Faithful Servant of Granger
Charles “Lambert” Bawden 1885-1967 , in an old log house nestled in his father’s orchard in Millcreek. When he was only six weeks old, the family moved to Granger—a community he would call home for the rest of his life. In 1900, he became the first boy to graduate from the eighth grade at Monroe School, and the following year he attended Granite Academy, traveling daily by horse and buggy. His youth was full of mischief and humor—
In 1905, while working as custodian of the Granger Meetinghouse, he narrowly escaped the devastating explosion that destroyed the building, running home with his hair singed but his faith intact. Three years later, on June 17, 1908, he married Ethel Lambert in the Salt Lake Temple. The couple began their life together on a Granger farm with a big orchard of apples, peaches, and cherries, and a fruit cellar filled with potatoes and apples. Their first home had a telephone but no electricity—proof of both progress and pioneer grit.
“Lambert” was a man of deep faith and tireless service. He served as Second Counselor to Bishop William Bangerter beginning in 1920, later becoming First Counselor in 1924, and remained active in Scouting for over 34 years. His devotion to community extended far beyond his church callings: he served as Justice of the Peace in Granger for 32 years, field manager for the Utah & Idaho Sugar Company for 15 years, and as a member of the Granite School Board from 1938 to 1942—his name still visible on the Granite High School auditorium plaque.
A lifelong farmer, “Lambert” raised cattle, hogs, and crops on his land, and later operated a dairy with his sons, Elmo and Norman. The family delivered up to 400 quarts of milk a day, serving the Granger community with hard work and integrity. After Ethel’s passing in 1936, he continued his service and in 1941 married Vera Jane Williams. Together they worked at the Small Arms Plant during World War II and welcomed a son, Lamont, in 1945.
Even in his later years, “Lambert” remained active and devoted—serving as custodian at Valley Junior High and later at the Granger Second Ward. He loved the land, the gospel, and his family. When he passed peacefully in his sleep on November 5, 1967, at the age of 82, he left behind a legacy of faith, service, and community leadership that continues to echo through generations of the Bawden family.
140 years old and still standing
Charles “Lambert” Bawden’s home, located at 3619 West 4100 South (later listed as 4110 South 3600 West), still stands today—more than 140 years after it was first built, a remarkable survivor from Granger’s earliest days. The home came with an unusual challenge to the Bawden Family: the previous occupants had allowed water snakes to inhabit the house, where they hibernated beneath the floorboards. It took considerable effort and ingenuity to clear the home of these unexpected residents, a task that tested his patience and determination. This episode reflects both the realities of early life in Granger and his resourceful and resilient character, traits that guided him through decades of service to his family, and community.
