The Life Sketch of

ELIZABETH IRENE GRIFFETH (TALBOT)

Elizabeth Irene Griffeth was born October 10, 1877 in Hyde Park, Utah at the home of her parents, which was known as the old "Adobe House” on Main Street. Irene was the fourth of nine children to George Andrew, Sr. and Mary Elizabeth Thurmana. Those older were: George Andrew Griffeth Jr., Mary Eleanor Griffeth, and Edward Thurman Griffeth. Those younger were: Patison Delos Griffeth, Jr., Maria Gertrude Griffeth, Alice Albertie Griffeth and Myrtha Azuba Griffeth. Annie Estella Griffeth born January 23, 1883 and died January 28, 1883.

Irene’s family resided in Hyde Park from about 1869 until about 1885. At this time the family moved to Fairview, Idaho in order to obtain farm land and a range for cattle. At various times the family had lived in a rented house and cellar, a tent, a granary, wheat bin and shed. In about the summer of 1889 they moved into their partially finished in Fairview.

Irene was blessed on November 1, 1977, by Luthe C. Birnham. She was baptized October 10, 1885, by Joshua Adams and confirmed by her grandfather, Patison Delos Griffeth Sr., October 14, 1885.

As a young girl Irene helped around the home doing cleaning and washing dishes. She occasionally helped the neighbors at threshing time. Irene took pride in combing her younger sister’s hair and teaching them to write and spell.

Irene enjoyed singing and had a strong and beautiful soprano voice. She and her sister Eleanor sang duets a great deal in ward programs. She also sang in the ward choir in Fairview. Before she married, Irene along with her family also played “Griffeth Dance Music”, as they called it, for dances in neighboring towns.

Her father played the violin, George and Delos played the guitar and banjo, Ed played the bass violin, and the girls chorded on the organ. Frank Bodily also played the organ. At times Frank and Delos sang.

Irene attended grammar school in north Fairview. She went on to school in Preston, Idaho, at the Oneida Stake Academy, which was three miles from her home. At the time it was the only school that had classes above the fourth grade level. The curriculum at the Academy was about equivalent to modern high school. To attend the school, Irene and her brother Edward drove a team of horses. At times Irene and Nora Bodily had a room in Preston so they would not have to commute to and from the school each day.

When Irene was in her teens, Richard Alfred Talbot was keeping company with a girl in Fairview. Irene watched them together and wished she was older. At the same time Richard was noticing what a cute little girl she was. Irene’s brother, George and Richard were good friends. Because of this Richard visited in Irene’s home a great deal. As Irene grew older, Richard lost interest in the other girl and wanted to date Irene. One summer Richard and George went up to Lost River, Idaho shearing sheep. Richard planned to come home and ask Irene to spent the fourth of July celebrating with him. He asked a fellow if Irene was keeping company with anyone. and he replied “Yes, she is my girl”. Then this fellow hurried to Irene’s home and asked her to be his girl during the celebration. Both Richard and Irene spent a miserable day because they wanted to be in each other’s company. Soon after that, Irene was on her way home after Sunday School with a friend. She thought Richard might be going up to see George, so she watched for him and when he came by, she asked for a ride home. As they talked they discovered the dirty trick the other fellow had played on them. After this, it. did not take them long to establish a serious relationship.

Irene was the most popular girl in the ward, but she was not a flirt. She did not want to hurt anyone. She was small, active, attractive and especially a good dancer. She was well liked by all the boys, but she did not care to date anyone after going with Richard.

Irene was about five feet four inches tall and had blue eyes and reddish brown hair that was the color of honey candy. Irene’s sister Eleanor, often said this about the color of her hair.

Before Richard left on his mission for the church, he and Irene were engaged, and upon his return, they were married on June 19, 1901 in the Logan Temple. They lived with Richard’s parents in Lewiston, Utah in part of the house for about three years until the time they were able to build their own home in Lewiston..

As a family, Irene and Richard and their children were happy and united. They worked and played together. Often they would go to Eleanor’s, Irene’s sister, and from there go fishing and have a picnic. They enjoyed church and movies together.

Irene was a neat housekeeper, and in addition to her house work, she also found time to work on her flower garden and to raise turkeys and chickens. She sewed, crocheted, knitted and made beautiful quilts. Irene also enjoyed singing at home with the family and playing both the piano and the guitar. Her sons were active in sports during high school, and she enjoyed watching them.

Irene was active in the church and held the following positions during her life time: Sunday school teacher, Religion class teacher, Relief Society teacher, and visiting teacher. She was also a member of the ward choir in Lewiston.

Irene was very humble, patient, honest, cheerful. and thoughtful of other people, She was very faithful and extremely obedient. She was thrifty and was known to be a hard worker. Her two most outstanding qualities were her patience and her cheerfulness. She had a jolly way about her.

Irene went through the heartbreak and worry of sending her sons into the service during World War II, but was never heard to utter a word of complaint.

Irene died in Lewiston, Utah, on February 13, 1954, she was the mother of eleven children, nine of which grew to maturity. They were: Gloyd Richard, born March 17, 1902; David Griffeth,

born January 30, 1904 and died May 18, 1904; Zenath, born March 3, 1905; Orvin Griffeth, born November 17, 1906 and died January 22 1907; Denzil Griffeth, born December 30 1907; Thyra, born August 23, 1910; Nathell, born April 26, 1912; Velda, born December 31, 1913; George Andrew, born May 13, 1916; Ross Angus, born April 3, 1918; and Verden Lynn, born February 18, 1920.

** Life story compiled by Kristie T. Steadman, a granddaughter. Information furnished by Mrs. Frederick (Alice Albertie Griffeth) Griffeths and Mrs. Don C. (Velda Talbot) Hill. November 1976 **