From Farming Furrows to Singing Mothers: The Life of Annie Wallace Bawden
Annie Elizabeth Wallace Bawden (1888–1972)
A Faithful Daughter, Pioneer of Service, and Builder of Generations
Annie Elizabeth Wallace was born on October 21, 1888, at the old adobe home of her grandfather George B. Wallace on what is now 3200 West and 4538 South in Granger, Salt Lake County, Utah. She was the eldest child of Josiah Davis Wallace and Ann Elizabeth Bertoch, the first of nine children in a busy, hardworking farm family.
Annie’s early years were marked by the life of a true farm girl. Even as a young child, she shouldered responsibilities that might have overwhelmed many older children. She guided the horse down the furrows while her father worked the cultivator behind her, tromped hay on the wagons and stacks, hauled water by bucket from her grandfather’s well, and melted snow for household use during cold Utah winters.
When Annie was just four and a half years old, she attended the historic dedication of the Salt Lake Temple — a memory that stayed vivid in her mind throughout her life.
She began school at the old 59th District School (later known as Monroe School) nearly three miles from home. Harsh weather and illness interrupted her schooling more than once, but Annie’s determination never faltered. When her father served a mission and fell gravely ill with malaria, Annie and her younger sister Iva carried heavy burdens — hauling snow to melt for water, washing clothes by hand, and walking miles to trade butter for groceries.
Despite such hardships, Annie found joy and promise in learning and music. She sang in school programs, cherished her teachers, and became known for her clear, sweet voice — a gift she would share for decades in her church and community.
Annie continued her schooling through eighth grade in Taylorsville and then went on to attend the L.D.S. University in Salt Lake City, staying with relatives and family friends because the distance and rough roads made commuting impossible. She supported herself by working for the families she boarded with, and cherished the friendships and excellent professors she found there.
After graduating, Annie became a teacher in the Granite School District during the early years of the district’s consolidation. She taught at Sherman and Whittier Schools and worked under B.W. Ashton, a pioneering superintendent who elevated education in the valley. One of the first in Salt Lake to undergo surgery for a ruptured appendix — which had long gone undiagnosed — Annie recovered despite blood poisoning and complications that would affect her health for years, including a later diagnosis of polio.
On April 20, 1910, Annie married Willard George Bawden in the Salt Lake Temple, the same sacred place where she had sat as a child and waved her handkerchief during the Hosannah shout. Together, Annie and Willard built a family of seven children — all of whom earned college degrees, served missions, and contributed in meaningful ways to their wards, stakes, and communities.
When Willard accepted a mission call while they were raising six young children, Annie ran the household with courage and faith. She knew that by honoring the Lord’s call, her family would be blessed — and indeed they were.
Annie dedicated her life to music, teaching, and service in the church. She taught Sunday School, led the Singing Mothers in Granger for over 20 years, served as chorister in many organizations, sang solos and in quartets and choirs, and never hid her God-given talent. In 1908, she sang The Holy Temple at the dedication of the Granger Ward Chapel built to replace the one destroyed in the 1905 explosion.
Annie’s industrious hands were always busy. Even when her health failed her legs, she continued to prepare monthly letters for ward members serving away, embroidered and crocheted pillow slips and gifts for Relief Society bazaars, and finished handmade projects for her children and grandchildren.
Annie Elizabeth Wallace Bawden passed away on March 3, 1972, leaving behind a legacy of sacrifice, faith, love, and quiet strength. Her life is a testament to the power of steady goodness — a faithful daughter, devoted wife and mother, tireless teacher, beloved chorister, and shining example to her children, grandchildren, and countless others who followed her path
As an adult, James H. Taylor carried the same grit and hard work from his boyhood into every chapter of his life. He farmed tirelessly, first on the family homestead in Granger and later on his own land, always looking for ways to build a better life — even trying his hand at mining for gold in the Oquirrh Mountains. He married Clara Clarke in 1898, and together they raised twelve children on seven acres in Granger given to them by his parents. In 1915, ever determined to provide more, he moved his growing family to a new 150-acre farm in Idaho, only to suffer heartbreaking loss when Clara passed away shortly after. Returning to Salt Lake, James rebuilt — literally — constructing a new home for his children just a block from where he was raised. He remarried in 1919, this time to Katherine Schick, with whom he had four more children. Through it all, James worked the land, provided for his large family, drove his kids to church each Sunday, and stayed deeply rooted in the Granger and South Salt Lake community until his passing in 1953. His life was one of hard work, heartbreak, second chances, and the steadfast belief that you always do what it takes to care for family and land.
Annie Wallace Bawden is sitting beside her Mother Bertoch Wallace. They are surrounded by family members
Born October 21, 1888, in Granger, Utah, the eldest of nine children of Josiah Davis Wallace & Ann Elizabeth Bertoch.
Grew up on a working farm — tromped hay, guided horses for planting, hauled buckets of well water, and melted snow for daily needs.
Attended the Salt Lake Temple dedication at age four — a sacred memory that inspired her lifelong faith.
Walked and drove horses miles to school; stayed with grandparents in Pleasant Green to keep learning when roads were impassable.
Helped provide for her family during her father’s mission and illness — traded butter for groceries, washed clothes, and hauled water as a young girl.
Earned a diploma from L.D.S. University in Salt Lake City while working for room and board with relatives and family friends.
Became a dedicated teacher in the Granite School District — taught at Sherman and Whittier Schools during a time of major educational progress.
Married Willard George Bawden in the Salt Lake Temple in 1910; raised seven children, all of whom completed college and served faithfully.
Sacrificed willingly when her husband served a mission while she managed home, farm, and family alone.
Led the Singing Mothers of Granger for over 20 years, sang solos, organized choirs, and shared her musical gift with the community.
Held many church callings — Sunday School teacher, chorister, Relief Society contributor — always putting service first.
Embroidered, crocheted, and mailed personal messages to ward members away from home, continuing her service into her later years despite health struggles.
Passed away March 3, 1972, leaving behind a legacy of devotion, faith, and industrious love that still blesses her posterity.
