On a Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 1852 at Fall River, Bristol County, Massachusetts, along with turkey and dressing and all other good foods and garnishes to make a Thanksgiving Dinner complete, a precious gift came to the home of William and Mary Ann Barker Bond. A lovely baby boy was born, who was the second son and sixth child of their family. The parents were especially proud and thankful their baby arrived on this glorious day. This lovely baby was given the name of Joseph William Bond.
Joseph’s parents had accepted the Gospel message given by the first early Mormon missionaries who had been sent from America to Manchester, England. And for the sake of this religion had left their home and loved ones, crossed the deep blue sea and landed in Boston Harbor, USA. They later located in Fall River where they stayed for almost eight years. Joseph’s father, William Bond, was called to serve as Presiding Elder of the Mormon Church while here. Then they moved to Iowa Camp grounds to await the time for them to be sent to the far west, the long wished for “Promised Land of Zion.”
When Joseph was but four years of age his parents and members of his family, with others in camp who made up this Company, crossed the plains with ox teams and wagons with the William B. Hodgetts Handcart Company. After months of strenuous strife and trouble, sadness and joy, this long, yet glorious journey was ended. They had arrived in the long looked for Promised Land—the beautiful Valley of the Great Salt Lake.
In 1864 the Bond family moved on north eastward to a small village called Heneferville, where they had purchased 25 acres of land from Colonel Curtis Appleby. Joseph, only twelve years of age, drove 25 or 30 head of sheep from Salt Lake City over what was called Big Mountain to the newly purchased farm land.
For his watchful care and help with the sheep on this journey, Joseph’s father presented him with a young steer calf. Joseph then proceeded to trade about with other things to acquire a mate for this calf. He was successful in doing so and raised the two animals until they were full grown. Joseph himself broke them to wear the yoke and harness, and with this yoke of oxen he plowed much of his father’s farm. The first plowing was done with a beam or hand plow, one man driving the oxen, the other holding and guiding the plow in the furrow.
Here in this village Joseph received his early education, Joseph Foster and his own father, William Bond, being his teachers. School in the 1860’s consisted of a few months of their time and the subjects were reading, writing, spelling and arithmetic. Joseph went as far into arithmetic as long division.
Joseph was very musically inclined. He became interested in learning the concertina and purchased the instrument from Charles Burton for the sum of $25.00. Stephen Beard gave him his first lessons. He practiced much and mastered playing the concertina well. Then he wanted to learn the violin. Going to Salt Lake City he visited the music store where he found a certain violin that he loved. As the dealer, Joseph Dayn, drew the bow over the strings of the instrument, the sweet, mellow tones penetrated his soul. He purchased the violin for the sum of $50.00. Sometime later he traded this violin with $50.00 for his brother, William’s violin. This he kept throughout his life, which is in the possession of his daughter, Naoma B. Ball. His violin instructor was James Lythgoe.
The young folk of Heneferville had a great love for dancing. A violin, organ, cornet, concertina, or even a harmonica was all that were needed for a dance orchestra. Joseph was an early dance musician, he with his teacher, James Lythgoe, played for many a dance to add to the joy and merriment for both young and old. Dancing followed by a supper at 12:00, and often danced until 2:00 or 3:00 a.m., sometimes sunrise. The musicians were paid $2.00 to $3.00. The dances were held once a month.
Joseph remembers the emigrants coming into Salt Lake City from Iowa Camp grounds and camping on the Eighth Ward Square. The mail to loved ones and friends was carried in covered wagons drawn by ox teams and delivered by a Mr. Charles Beaumont, a French trader. The first post office was established in Heneferville in 1867, and was in the Bond’s General Store (Joseph’s parents). In a lean-to room built onto the Bond home, Joseph Foster was the first postmaster. He was followed by William Bond.
At the age of fifteen Joseph carried the U.S. Mail by horseback from Heber City to Heneferville. He would sleep over night in Heneferville, on to Ogden, staying overnight and back to Heneferville. The round trip covered 180 miles.
In his early manhood Joseph met the girl of his choice, Prudence Priscilla Richins. Blonde and blue eyed, she was the lovely daughter of Bishop Charles W. and Louisa Shill Richins. Joseph loved this young lady and with months of courtship asked her to become his wife. They were married August 7, 1877 for time (later sealed) in the Endowment House in Salt Lake City, by President John Taylor of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was then Joseph placed upon the third finger of Prudence’s left hand a gold wedding band. The ring Joseph had made by a silversmith from a five dollar gold piece. Joseph was then twenty-four years of age and Prudence just “sweet seventeen.” The gold ring Prudence wore throughout her earthly wedded life 55 years. Always did this gold band remain shinning and bright, as did their love and happiness.
Joseph remembered the first two dollars he earned after leaving his father’s home. He drove George Roberts’ pair of mules and wagon into the nearby canyons and hills, chopping tree limbs into posts and loading them on the wagon, bringing them to Henefer for fencing purposes.
Joseph was employed by Bishop Charles Richins on his large farm. Then a contract was signed by Bishop Richins to furnish all the ties for the U.P. Railroad which was to run from Echo to Henefer. Men from Henefer and Coalville were hired to fill the jobs of chopping, hewing, hauling and laying of the ties which were to be brought out of the canyons. Joseph was one of the men hired. Upon completion of this U.P. Railroad contract, Bishop Charles Richins was paid the sum of $1,000 in a currency bill. He let Joseph hold and look at it. This was the only $1,000 green back Joseph ever saw or held in all his life.
On Oct. 3, 1877, Joseph and Prudence with Wellington Richins and young bride, Alice Bond, the mother Louisa Shill Richins and two young children, Rebecca and Marland, started for Arizona. They had heard of this wonderful country, and President Brigham Young of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints had encouraged them to go help settle this new land.
They had gathered together all their earthly possessions and loaded them in covered wagons which were drawn by ox teams. Wellington drove two yoke of oxen and Joseph three, given him by the Bishop along with fifteen head of cattle and provisions. (These were Joseph’s pay for working on the farm and to help defray expenses of Louisa and children.) The names of Joseph’s oxen were: Wheelers (Cromp and Dick), Swing (Brin and Rabbit), Leaders (Barney and Berry). They went from Henefer to Heber City, down Provo Canyon to Provo. Here the food supplies were purchased, enough to make the journey to Arizona. In Richfield, Utah, they overtook the Redden Allred family with their two yoke of oxen and wagon. They, too, were headed for Arizona. Joining with them, their small company was complete.
On they traveled overtaking a larger Company with trains of covered wagons, the Pomeroy’s, Sirrine’s, Crimson’s and Jones’. They traveled for days and months, the two companies trailing then passing each other many, many times.
The journey continued onward up to the Severe River to Panguitch, Johnson City, over the Buck Skin Mountain, camping at Lee’s Ferry. Here they ferried over the deep muddy waters of the treacherous Colorado River. Two trips were made, first taking the families and provision, second the cattle.
Along the way a wild steer had followed in their herd of cattle. He also entered upon the ferry, frightened he jumped off into the waters of the river swimming the stream and joining the herd on the other side. Rebecca and Wellington rode over with the second load almost getting tipped over. Throughout this long journey Rebecca rode the horse back and with Marland’s help drove and herded the cattle.
Prudence had not been well, to her the way seemed long, rough, and tiresome. The company camped at Navajo Springs, Arizona. Here Prudence gave birth to a son. She became very ill forcing a night drive to Willow Springs into the larger camp where help could be obtained. The baby died and the tiny body was placed in a crude built coffin made of rough lumber and lined with cotton cloth. Wellington Richins and Francis M. Pomeroy carried the corpse on horseback fifteen miles to Moenkopi, a Mormon settlement. A short service was held and the baby buried. The company stayed in Willow Springs until Prudence was able to travel.
They continued their journey on across the Little Colorado River heading southward traveling fifteen miles and camped. Arising the following morning in the bitter cold and fog, they prepared themselves to continue their journey. They traveled for half a day bearing to the right in direction and because of dense fog, by noon they found themselves at the same camp they had left that morning. The mileage chart—a complete circle in one half day’s travel.
But with that ever determined spirit they chose to go on. They followed into what was known as the Beal road, which led through a dense thicket of pine trees. It was very hard for them to keep track of where they were going because they had to follow where trees had been blazed.
The women rode in the wagon and Joseph walked and drove the oxen. He would crack and snap the black whip at the oxen and away they would tear through the forest, sometimes running into the trees the front wheels of the wagon, which would become lodged. But Joseph would catch up with them and manage to unloose the wagon and away they would go again. This happened time and time again. Finally they came to Flagstaff Springs (now known as Flagstaff). The gentleman who owned the ranch where they chanced to stop was very accommodating. His name was Mr. Hull.
It was Christmas night when they landed in Flagstaff. They awoke the next morning to find a snow storm had visited them through the night and one foot or more of snow covered the ground. Traveling to Chino Valley the wind was cold and the mercury had drop to 10 below zero. Joseph went up into the canyon bringing down an old tree log for firewood to make warmth for the family. From here they traveled on to the John Ales ranch at the head of Skull Valley, then to Thompson Valley, the distance of eight miles.
They called Thompson Valley their home from January the eighth (Prudence’s birthday) until the middle of July. They lived in a log house consisting of one room made of ash tree logs. The roof was covered with shad scales which kept out cold and rain (shad scale is a weed similar to an onion.) During their stay in Thompson Valley Joseph spent his time in freighting, hauling wood, logs, and hay to Prescott.
The three yoke of oxen and wagon were traded for four horses and wagon. Becoming dissatisfied from all their trials, heartaches, sorrow, and this new country, Joseph and Prudence decided to go back to Utah. They took with them Louisa Shill Richins and her two children, Rebecca and Marland. The Wellington Richins and Redden Allred families continued to live here for some time. They then moved southward to Lehi, staying there for a short time. Later they went on to Mesa where they purchased property and made their home.
The return journey back to Utah by Joseph and Prudence and Louisa Shill Richins with her two children was by covered wagon, but this time drawn by horses. The traveling was much more relaxing and the horses took them much faster. They returned by Walnut Grove and Mineral Springs. Crossing about thirty miles of desert they came upon the Colorado River. They ferried over at Stone’s Ferry, following up the Virgin River to St. Thomas. Here they camped for two days. Joseph obtained work on a grain thrasher to get barley to feed his horses.
On they traveled crossing the Virgin River several times and eventually came to St. George Utah. In St. George they saw and visited the newly erected and dedicated (6 April 1877) St. George Latter-day Saints Temple. What a thrilling sight this temple was to them, and filled their hearts and souls with joy and happiness. Along through the southern settlements of Utah they traveled coming to the edge of Provo. Following up the Provo Canyon they arrived in Henefer in the middle of September and stopped at the home of Bishop Charles W. Richins. Here they lived for one year.
Joseph obtained work on the Bishop Richins’ farm. In his spare time he would take his team and wagon going into Franklin’s Canyon cutting and sawing pine trees. He brought many loads into Henefer. He asked his eldest brother, John Bond, who was an excellent wood cutter, to help him hue and split the logs so he could build a house. The house, or cabin, was built on two vacant lots located on the west side of the village of Henefer. The lots had been given to Joseph by his father, William Bond.
On August 27, 1879, while staying at the home of Bishop Charles Richins, a baby son was born to this young couple. He was given the name of Charles Marlow Bond. The new log cabin was completed and consisted of one long room. Joseph and Prudence with their small baby son moved themselves in to the new log cabin. Working at odd jobs, Joseph earned money to provide for his family. Two years passed and happiness reigned in this little cabin. Then on July 17, 1881, came a wee little daughter born in this cabin. She added more sunshine and love to this home. To this baby was given the name of Louisa Pearl Bond.
The family lived here until the winter of 1882. Joseph and Prudence had decided to go back to Arizona to make their home. Letters received from relatives and friends told them of the many opportunities which would be theirs if they would but come to this new land. Joseph sold their house, two lots, and two teams of horses, namely wheelers (Charles and Pomp), leaders (Johnny and Billy) and a wagon to Bishop Charles W. Richins for the sum of six hundred dollars cash.
With Grandma Louisa Shill Richins, her two children, Rebecca and Marland, Joseph, Prudence and their two small children left Henefer. They went into the town of Echo and purchased tickets to ride the train to Arizona. They boarded the train following the Union Pacific Railroad to Ogden. Here they changed trains to the Central Pacific Railroad, getting on what was known as the Emigrant train. Going by way of California, the train entered upon the Southern Pacific Railroad lines.
In Fresno California, the train had a one-half hour lay over and Joseph left the family group with the thought that he would look over the town. Joseph had in his possession all the tickets and money. He found a music store and the time was well spent. By the time he got back to the depot he found the Emigrant train had pulled out moving on its way to Arizona. Was this a surprise! Knowing his family could not go far without money or tickets, he hurried into the depot office to obtain information as to how he could catch up with his family. As luck would have it, he found the fast passenger train would leave at six o’clock P.M. This cost Joseph $6.00 for the purchase of a ticket. At eleven o’clock P.M. the passenger train over took the Emigrant train. Joseph got on with his family who were indeed grateful to see him, but frantic with worry of Joseph being lost and they put off the train alone on the desert. The Emigrant train was slow moving and also had to wait at track changes for the faster trains to pass before going on. Sometimes these waits were quite long. Joseph learned his lesson and stayed close by regardless how long the stop or wait might be. They arrived at Maricopa, Arizona which was the terminal of the railroad at that time. Maricopa was located about fifty miles south and west from Mesa.
Wellington Richins, who had been notified of their coming, was there in Maricopa with his wagon to meet them. The wagon journey took one whole day. It was in the early spring, February 3, 1882, when Wellington took them to his home in Mesa located on the corners of Main and Robson Streets where the Peterson Bros. Service Station now stands. Living here for one week, Joseph set out observing the town of Mesa looking to locate a home for him and his family. Joseph found the place he wanted located northwest of Mesa one-half mile, owned by David P. Kimball. Inquiring as of its sale, he found he could purchase one-half of a quarter section (80 acres) for one thousand dollars. He gave six hundred dollars cash he had brought from Utah and signed a note for the remaining four hundred dollars. Here Joseph and Prudence made their home in a two room adobe house with a dirt roof previously constructed by Charles Peterson. Living with them was Grandma Louisa Shill Richins and two children, Rebecca and Marland.
The land purchased was nothing but desert covered with cacti, mesquite trees, chaparral and sage brush. Only five acres of this land was cleared. Days, weeks, and months Joseph spent chopping, digging, dragging and burning getting the land in readiness for the crops to be planted. Water for irrigation was obtained from a ditch which ended at that time on the northeast corner of Joseph’s property. This canal water was also used for drinking and household purposes, dipping it up from the stream and hanging it in ollas (earthen jugs) to cool.
Going upon the Verde River Joseph obtained some small ash trees and a cutting of a sycamore tree which he planted along the front of his property. The sycamore cutting was placed in the north east corner. This tree grew in size, grace and beauty over the many years making a beautiful land mark in front of his home which faces a main traveled highway known as N. Country Club Drive.
Joseph brought along with him from Utah his violin and concertina. He made music for parties, dances and etc. which were held in the adobe house where they lived. A friend, Wiley Jones, who lived in Lehi five miles away, would sponsor dances and socials and always asked Joseph to furnish the music. Wiley allowed him four dollars each time he played to be credited on a wagon Joseph needed. By so doing, Joseph soon had a wagon paid for but no horses. Trading around Joseph was the proud possessor of a horse. But not for long, as one week later the horse laid down and died. There were troubles, heartaches, discouragements, yes, but only to test their ability, strength, and courage that they must fight and work harder to get a start. Joseph borrowed a team of horses from his brother-in-law, Wellington Richins, to plow and till the soil. Grain and alfalfa, with a few fruit trees, grape vines, and a vegetable garden was planted.
A team of horses was a must and much needed on this farm. By working and trading about Joseph managed to get them. He obtained a freighting job and hauled loads of grain, hay, and food supplies to Maricopa, McDowell, East on the Verde River, over the mountain to Pinal, Silver King, and Superior. Supplies were furnished by Charles Trumble Hayden of Tempe.
In 1883 Joseph left his family going to the Mines in Pinal to hunt work. Luck was with him. Mr. Hank Martin gave him a job as a brakes man on the ore teams hauling ore from Silver King Mine to the Mill, a distance of five miles. Joseph worked at this hauling for several months and was then placed at the Mill wheeling ore to the battery with a wheelbarrow. Then a promotion came. Joseph was placed on the concentration tables making three dollars and seventy five cents a day.
While working here in Pinal, Joseph purchased an eight day clock which he took home with him as a surprise to his family. Through all these years this same old clock ticks steadily away day after day striking the hours with a fast, sharp tone. It sits upon the mantle of the present home.
After having lived away from his family for two years while at work, except for a few visits at intervals, Joseph quit his work and went home. Here he worked on the home place for some few months, making ready the land and planting crops. But money was needed badly and Joseph left again in search of work. This time he went to the Alvesia Mine about thirty miles south of Tucson. He did find work, but not for long, as in fifteen days the mill burned down and Joseph was again out of work. Going back to Tucson he applied for work at the railroad station. The foreman asking his age said he was too old, for now he had reached the age of forty.
His wife and children moved with him to Superior, leaving their farm in charge of Boyd Passey (a neighbor boy) and a friend, James T. Lisonbee. In superior Joseph found work at three dollars a day. He also played for dances and parties at night time making ten and fifteen dollars a night. Joseph could have made double money to play on a Sunday or late Saturday night, but no, when the hour of twelve came he ceased his playing and the violin was put in the case. He had been taught and true to his teachings that Sunday was the Lord’s Day.
Prudence and the children were unhappy here in Superior. She and the children had to stay alone while Joseph worked all day and then went to play for dances at night time. They were afraid of the Apache Indians, a more vicious tribe than the Indians in Mesa. She and the children decided to come home. Joseph continued to work making good money and saving these hard earned dollars to meet obligation of the home. He wanted to be with his family, so he came home and relinquished the responsibilities of the farm life from his good wife and children who had so patiently taken care of the farm. Prudence had also been taking in washing to help provide the way.
Selling twenty acres of land to Wellington Richins, and twenty acres to Bishop Charles W. Richins, who gave it to his son, Orson Richins, Joseph received four hundred dollars cash. This money was used to pay off the note to David P. Kimball. To Joseph it seemed as though the weight of the whole world had been lifted from his shoulders. Forty acres remained which was paid for and could be called their very own.
During all these years, Joseph, accompanied by his sister-in-law, Rebecca Richins, made the music for socials, dances and parties here in Mesa and neighboring towns. They furnished the music for numerous wedding dances. A few remembered were the Jed Peterson, Orlando Merrill, Charles Wing, and Ed Brizzee. On one occasion they took Rebecca’s organ on Joseph’s wagon along with the violin, to the home of William Standage. Here they furnished the music for a triple wedding dance, that of Joseph and Jane Standage, Charles and Josephine Pew, and Woodruff and Elizabeth Rogers. The vows were read by President Alexander McDonald on February 26, 1883. It was to this beautiful wedding and dance that Benjamin Blackburn fell in love with Rebecca Richins, whom she married a few years later. Years later Joseph played for the Golden Wedding Dance of Bishop Issac Dana and wife, Fannie
After Rebecca’s marriage, she moved to Pinal. Ellis Johnson and Talmage Pomeroy would accompany Joseph with his music. Joseph’s young daughter, Goldie, was musically inclined and had learned to play the chords on the organ. She accompanied her father to all socials and dances until her marriage.
Joseph had a well built physique, with broad shoulders and a thick chest. His height was near five foot ten, and his average weight was one hundred and seventy-seven pounds. Joseph had kind and expressive grey blue eyes, with black hair, olive skin, and long features. He was honest, kind, and true, and possessed a noble character. He was physically strong and a very hard worker.
There were long hours of hard work on the farm for Joseph. He purchased from Hank Willis a small dark red cow for fifty dollars—the first cow they had owned in Arizona. Then a white cow was purchased from Bill Lewis in Pinal for eighty-five dollars. Later a few calves were purchased and soon Joseph had a small herd of milk cows. The milking of the cows provided ample work for his children, and plenty of milk for the household use. The milk was sold to the creamery and the money received was used to pay for water assessments, taxes, etc.
The family had grown in number and the two room adode house with the one lumber room by its side was becoming very congested. In 1896 Joseph purchased a two room lumber house from a neighbor, William Passey, and moved it into the Bond yard, butting it beside the lumber room which already stood in the yard. Tearing down the old adobe house, a lean-to of two rooms was added to the lumber house. Now the house had five rooms to enjoy and live in. To this family the house seemed a mansion. Indeed, it was a home sweet home.
School buildings were being built and Joseph in his spare time from working on the farm, with his team and wagon, would haul brick, rock, sand, and gravel. He hauled some of the brick which was laid in the Irving School Building. His small son, George, loved to go with his father hauling. Joseph would place a plank slant wise to the wagon and George would walk up the plank carrying a brick at a time helping his father.
In the year 1895 the LDS Tabernacle, the new stake house, (now the Mesa Third Ward) located at the corners of 1st Ave. and Morris St., was being shingled. Joseph and his eldest son, Marlow, were making a delivery of a load of loose hay to Wellington Richins’ home. Turning the corner, which is now W. Main St. and N. Country Club Drive, Joseph slipped off the load of hay fell to the ground and dislocated the hip bone of his right leg. Arthur Openshaw, who was shingling the Tabernacle building, saw Joseph fall and hurried to the scene of the accident. A Dr. Wilbur, passing by with his horse and buggy on a call to Phoenix, took Joseph to his home and then went on his way. A Dr. Sabin was called into the home to give aid and assistance and stated that the leg had been badly sprained. For one year it was impossible for Joseph to get around except with the aide of crutches. Much pain and suffering was endured. His leg mended with the socket bone of the hip pushed inward, leaving him crippled for life.
Joseph helped to clean and enlarge the Montezuma Canal from the Division Gates up to the first dam this side of Granite Reef following on down to the Mesa Canal ending at the corner of Joseph’s property. Year later Mr. A.J. Chandler purchased the canal and made two canals running east and south going into the new town of Chandler (named for Mr. Chandler) located directly south of Mesa eight miles. The water was used on this new farming district.
Joseph had a chance to file on some School Land one-half mile north and west from his home place. By doing so, and keeping the land which consisted of fifteen acres cultivated and planted in productive crops each year, the land then was deeded to Joseph. He was indeed grateful to get this land under such favorable conditions and he always put it to great use.
Throughout Joseph’s life he never forgot the religious teachings of his early childhood given him by his parents. He was taught to be honest, trustworthy, and kind, to pray and give thanks to the “Lord for his many blessings.”
Joseph worked in his church. He served as Young Men’s Mutual Improvement President in the Alma Ward, with James Vance as first counselor and Joseph Hawks as second counselor. He was always ready to furnish the music for all dances and socials which took place in the ward, donating of his time for money raising socials for the young men answering a mission call. He was a ward teacher. Never known to shun a turn in visiting the families assigned him and his companion. Most usually walking miles to the homes visited. He was ordained a High Priest Sept. 7, 1914 by President James LeSueur of the Maricopa Stake.
His eldest son, Marlow, now eligible, had received a mission call. Marlow graciously accepted this opportunity of filling a mission. Money in those days seemed so very hard to acquire. A farewell social was held. Joseph furnished the music. The total amount of funds raised was five dollars. It took much scheming and saving for Joseph and Prudence to raise enough money for his transportation to Kansas City, Missouri, known as the Central States Mission. He labored in St. Johns, Kansas traveling without purse or script. The blessings of the Lord guided all missionaries to the homes of those of the honest in heart. Surely the Lord blessed this family at home in saving their meager amount of money to sustain their missionary son. Two years lapsed, how proud Joseph and Prudence were for the return of their son who had been given an honorable release from his mission, and the humble testimony he possessed. His mission term was from Feb. 10, 1902 to June 9, 1904.
In 1905 Joseph and Prudence took up a desert claim at Queen Creek, Arizona, located about sixteen miles south and east of their home in Mesa. They lived there while their children looked after the farm, milked the cows, and attended their school. Again Joseph and Prudence had much work ahead of them as this desert claim was nothing but chaparral brush and mesquite trees. Three hundred twenty acres of land in those days was a huge acreage. Several acres of land were cleared and grain was planted depending on the rains for moisture.
A well eighty feet deep was dug. The land was fenced and a corral and shed made of mesquite poles. The cows and calves were driven here for grazing and milking. The water was drawn from the well with buckets by hand to water the thirsty animals. Later a gasoline pump was installed.
Trips to the home in Mesa were far between. Traveling by team and wagon it would take most of the day with perhaps an all night stay over to make the round trip. Prudence most usually left alone with only the dog, Jack, for protection. To her the night was long and still with only the calling of a quail, the song of a cricket, and the howling or coyotes. In the year 1912 the land was deeded to this couple by the State of Arizona. Now they could come back to their home in Mesa and live with their family. Yes, indeed, they were pioneers with much faith and courage.
On Joseph’s sixty-second birthday he was happily surprised when a baby daughter was born to Ellis and Eliza Bond Pew. This was their second child. The baby was given the name of Mary Louise Pew (Miller). This was Joseph’s eighth grandchild and to be born on his birthday made him gratefully pleased. With their mutual birthday falling on or near Thanksgiving Day each year, the family dinner would be in their honor, usually being held at the Pew residence located at 540 N. Grand St. It was a day of feast and thankfulness enjoyed by all.
Peace and happiness. Then the terrible out break of World War One in the year 1917. America was now at war. Only the elect young men were called to serve their country. Thousands of young men were drafted. Joseph and Prudence’s son, George, was one chosen. With saddened hearts and tear filled eyes they bade him goodbye. From the east coast to the west coast he traveled. While he was stationed in San Diego, Joseph went by way of train to visit him. Soon afterwards he was sent over seas to France. Months passed with much anxiety and worry. Finally came that great day–the signing of the Armistice. The war was over. George returned safely home.
In the year of 1919 Joseph sold off all their cattle. The land was cultivated and cotton was planted. Cotton was a new and very productive crop being planted by farmers. Beautiful were the fields with the tall green leaved stalks with delicate yellow color blossom which later developed into large pods and burst open into cotton. After the first frost the leaves and stalk would turn brown and all the pods on the stalk would burst into beautiful white cotton. The fields were a beautiful sight to behold. Colored people and Mexicans were hired to pick the cotton. Huge loads of now white cotton was hauled by team and wagon to the gin and sold. Many pay checks were received by Joseph for his months of hard labor.
Another accident, one morning Joseph was chopping wood for the cook stove. Clinging to the ax was a piece of wood going up on the ax and falling off on the downward stroke. With this downward stroke of the ax Joseph chopped into his instep with the sharp blade cutting a deep gash. He was immediately rushed to the office of Dr. Frank W. Brown where six stitches were taken to sew up the gash. The ax had severed deep into the instep bone. Again Joseph was on crutches for weeks.
Into the years Joseph continued hauling. Gravel, sand, and rock was hauled from the Salt River bed and loaded in a wagon with loose dump boards in the wagon bed to make it easier for unloading. Joseph would load the wagon by hand and shovel. He sometimes would haul as high as three loads a day. Joseph hauled gravel for the Mesa High School, the bank buildings on the corners of Main and McDonald Streets, for the Maricopa Inn building and numerous residential buildings. Joseph, accompanied by one of his grandsons, William Lane Pew (age nine years), hauled the first load of gravel to be used in the construction of the beautiful Arizona Temple, which was dedicated October 23, 1927. Most of this material was hauled from Tempe, a distance of seven miles by team and wagon.
After tearing down their old lumber house they built a new brick house. Since childhood Prudence had always wanted a red brick house. Now her wishes were granted. On June 13, 1927 they moved into the red brick house with modern conveniences.
In the early spring, March of 1928, Joseph, who had been in perfect health all his life except when he took the small pox, now had the flu becoming bedfast for three long months. His heart became very bad from this illness and dropsy set in causing his feet and legs to swell. With skillful attention given by Dr. Frank W. Brown, and by following strict orders of the doctor, Joseph regained his health.
During Joseph’s sickness, John Richins of Provo, Utah, came to visit at this home. Upon finding Joseph so very ill John proceeded to cultivate and till the farmland and planted it into cotton for Joseph. The crop was beautiful and very productive in spite of the fact that John knew very little about farming and had never seen cotton grow.
The following year his son, George and his wife, LaPrele, and baby daughter, Marian, took Joseph on a vacation trip. They went to Salt Lake City, Ogden, Henefer, and on to Blackfoot, Idaho. Here Joseph met and visited his eldest brother, the John Bond family, whom he had never seen before. On to California they traveled visiting his son, Joseph Bond Jr. and family. Here was his wife, Prudence, who had ridden to California with the F. Leo Willis family. George Bond and family came on to Mesa. Joseph stayed to visit longer coming back with Prudence and the Willises. This was their first vacation in many years together.
Love and happiness reigned in the new red brick house. Joseph and Prudence, now in their advanced years, were enjoying the conveniences they had worked for throughout the years, but for only a period of five short years. Sorrow came with the illness and death of his beloved wife, Prudence. A mother and life-long companion was called to the great beyond on May 5, 1932.
For three lonely years Joseph and his youngest daughter, Naoma, lived here in his home. He continued to do his farm work. The years were creeping upon him and he found he no longer could take the work and responsibility. He divided his property equally among his children and each assumed their duty of caring for this wonderful gift.
The City of Mesa had expanded in size, thus the farm Joseph had equally divided among his children fell within the city limits and acreage became a city flat and was subdivided into city lots to be known as the “Bond Acres.”
Joseph’s worries were over. He didn’t even have to chop wood for the cook stove. He would purchase loads of wood from the Indians who were his friends. The Indians would bring their wood from the reservation into town to sell. Joseph was a good customer of Juan Burton, the son of an old Indian man, Sawadick Burton, who in the early days would help Joseph on the farm. Through the years Joseph gave many an Indian work helping to irrigate the land, harvesting watermelon and cantaloupe crops, milking cows, and hauling and staking hay and grain.
In 1932 sixteen small citrus trees were planted in the back yard of Joseph’s home. Joseph loved flowers around each tree. The soil was cultivated and circles were made where zinnia flower seeds were planted. This was Joseph’s project beautiful were the flowers that grew beautifying the back yard. He loved zinnia flowers and the white ones were his favorite. Each year the zinnia flowers were planted until the trees grew large and their foliage covered the ground with shade.
Three years had passed since the death of Joseph’s good wife. On the day of his wife’s death, Naoma, his youngest child, had promised him she would never leave him to live alone. On June 4, 1935, Naoma married Robert A. Ball. They had planned an extensive honeymoon. Joseph was extended a very cordial invitation to accompany them, which he did. The honeymoon trip took them through ten western states. They were gone six weeks and Joseph, at eighty-three years of age, enjoyed every minute of the trip. He kept a diary of each day’s activity and travel. Upon their return home Joseph was indeed happy to know they were to live here with him and not in the “Shanty”—a little home Robert had purchased for them in Phoenix, Arizona.
Joseph loved and enjoyed his family. On each of their birthdays he always arranged for a little party or gathering. On one occasion, at the home of his daughter, Perilla B. Millett, he took his violin. He rendered several lovely dance ballads of which he loved to play, and his children always appreciated. He requested someone to sing a song, but no response. Then he told this story:
A few year before he was married, across the river from Grandfather Bishop Charles W. Richins’ home in Henefer, Utah, one and one-half miles toward the town of Coalville, President Brigham Young’s son, Brigham, had contracted to build a railroad from the head of Echo Canyon to Ogden, Utah, known as the U.P. Line. The contract was subdivided under other contractors. Sandy Glenn, Joseph’s brother-in-law, contracted to do one fourth of a mile of the railroad. Joseph was hired by Sandy to run a dumpcart drawn by a mule. It was while on this job of work that the men made up a song dedicating it to the contractor, Brigham Young Jr.
At the head of the great Echo the Railroad’s begun
Mormons are cutting and grading like fun
They say they’ll stick to it until it’s complete
While friends and relations are longing to meet.Chorus
Hurray, Hurrah, the Railroad’s begun
Three cheers for our Contractor
His name’s Brigham Young
Hurray, Hurrah, the Railroad’s begun
Three cheers for our Contractor
His name’s Brigham Young.There’s Mr. Green, he’s a gentleman too
He knows very well what the Mormons can do
He knows in their work they are lively and gay
And are just the right boys for to build a railway.The boys in our camp are light hearted and gay
They work on the railroad ten hours a day
They’re thinking of the good times
They’ll have in the fall
Take their pretty ladies and off to the ball.
Joseph sang the whole song through. It was beautiful to the ears of his daughters, for never before had they heard their father sing. This was Feb. 9, 1937.
Joseph was very fond of his grandchildren. He always carried with him two pocket knives, a good one and one a trading knife not so good. Whenever the older grandsons came around he loved to hit them up for a trade “sight unseen”, especially the Millett boys, George Wm. and Dwight. It was very seldom failed they didn’t have to settle for the old knife. How he would laugh. But the next time he saw them the trade would be their win. He would sit in his rocking chair on the front porch of his home and, with the twins, Dorris and Dortha, test their knowledge in arithmetic with problems of addition or subtraction to see which one could get the answer first. His grandson, Kenny Bond, always came two weeks before his brother, Karl’s, birthday to remind his grandfather, then every day until the birthday, when both he and Karl would come. If grandfather gave Karl fifty cents then he was sure of the amount he would receive when he came to visit grandfather on his own birthday, which followed only three weeks later.
Joseph was a member of the “Old Timers Get Together Club” which met once a month in the Mesa First Ward Chapel. Each member was given the opportunity of rendering a program. On May 8, 1939, the program was presented by Joseph’s family. They presented a skit, “Down by the Old Mill Stream.” The stage was beautifully decorated with an old mill and waterwheel turning and lovers standing by. There was also a room scene with an old couple. It was a very fitting program. A grandson, Weymouth D. Pew, made the mill and waterwheel for the scenes.
Joseph lived to see four generations of his own immediate family. On his eighty-seventh birthday, a picture was taken of Joseph, his eldest son, Charles Marlow, and Charles Marlow’s second son, Thomas Lloyd, and Thomas Lloyd’s eldest son, Delwin Kay, all carrying the name of Bond.
On April 3, 1940, the “Old Folks Party” was held in the Mezona under the auspices of the Maricopa Stake Mutual Improvement Association of the Latter-day Saints Church. All local residents over sixty-five years old were entertained. There were addresses by Governor Robert Jones, Lorenzo Wright and Ronald Ellsworth of Maricopa Stake Presidency and by Rial Randall, Maricopa Stake Y.M.M.I.A. Superintendent. The invocation was given by M. C. Phelps.
Years bring honor to those who are older. Most important on the program was the selection of the King and Queen. Those chosen were Joseph William Bond, 87 years old and Mrs. Caroline Sheehan, 88.
They were crowned in a very effective ceremony under the direction of Mrs. Joseph Reed, Maricopa Stake Y.W.M.I.A. President. Poetry for the ceremony was written by Mrs. Bertha Kleinman.
Only a few days following Joseph’s 88th birthday he became ill. Perhaps he could have had a slight stroke as he fell on the floor in the bathroom. It seemed as though his feet and legs had gone their last step, so he took to his bed never again to walk. Hours, weeks, months, even into one year and a half Joseph lay bedfast. He was tenderly cared for by his daughter, Naoma, and her husband, Robert, and others of his family.
His mind was alert and each day the daily newspaper was carefully read to him. He was interested in the news of the Second Great World War. He was especially interested in his nine young grandsons who were scattered throughout the different nations of the world giving their all in the service of their country. Letters from these young boys were greatly appreciated by Joseph as they were read, and sometimes reread, to him telling him of the countries, the people, and their habits, extending their love for him and expressing their appreciation of the heritage he had given them. They said that one day they would be back to visit again with him.
Many, many friends called to visit Joseph at his bedside. He still loved his concertina and often asked for it playing the old dance tunes sitting propped with pillows and backrest on his bed. Every day his little grandson, Paul M. Bond, a first grader, would come with his sister, Joyce, to read to his grandfather the story of “Dick and Jane,” the part of the story he had learned to read that day in school. Sometimes it took all of thirty minutes, but Joseph appreciated every word read. His granddaughters, Pauline Slade (Voorhees) and then Louis Pew (Cluff) would come every day after school to help his daughter, Naoma, to sit him in his rocking chair for one hour to rest him from the bed.
April 17, 1943 at 4:00 A.M., with his immediate family by his bedside, Joseph’s eyelids closed. He had answered the call from the Master. A life of fourscore years and ten had ended.
A beautiful funeral service was held April 20, 1943 in the Mesa Third Ward Chapel at the corners of First Ave. and South Morris St, under the direction of Bishop J. Wallace Bond.
Six grandsons were his pallbearers: Darrel E. Slade, Palmer E. Amundsen, Weymouth D. Pew, Milton B. Millett, George W. Millett, and Frank B. Slade.
Interment was at the Mesa City Cemetery with Joseph being laid to rest beside his beloved wife, Prudence.
