8 Feb 1878 – 12 Sep 1972
Wife of Louis Samuel Cardon
The following pages are taken from a history written by Myrtle B. Shurtliff about her sister, Rebecca Ann Ballard Cardon
Life Sketch
In 1973, a year after the death of Rebecca, her sister Myrtle B. Shurtliff wrote a sketch of Rebecca’s life. In the preface to this sketch, she said:
“For many years I tried to get Rebecca to write the story of her life. At one time I even got all the important dates I could find of events in her life and gave them to her. I also wrote a little sketch up to the time of Ballard’s birth. I read it to her, and she wept – but made no promise. She did not write it, but I am very grateful that she did write a few articles which are priceless to me.
I have tried and hope she is not displeased with what I have written, but there is so much more which could be written of interest to us all, things she knew that I did not know. I have done my best, but it has been the hardest writing I have ever done. My emotions are too strong and my sorrow too new.
I have written from memory – I had no one now to turn to for help but my Heavenly Father, and I have sought Him earnestly”.
The following is taken from that writing.
Rebecca, daughter of Henry and Margaret McNeil Ballard was born in Logan, Cache Co., Utah on the 8th Feb. 1878. She was the ninth child of her mother’s family and was born in the Ballard home at 308 West 1st North Street. Four of this number had passed away before she was born.
Her father wrote in his Journal;
“Feb. 8, 1878 my wife Margaret bore me another daughter – we called her Rebecca Ann Ballard”.
“Feb. 17, 1878. I blessed her at the house. “
“April 4, 1878 in the 2nd ward fast meeting she was again blessed by her father Henry Ballard. Thus she was especially favored with two blessings”.
When she was about two and a half years old, her sister Lettie was born, and when she was past seven the last child – another sister – Mary Myrtle came to the family.
When she was less than three years old her mother, on the 11 Dec. 1880, was chosen as the president of the Relief Society of the second ward, which position she filled for many, many years — Rebecca became a member at an early age.
At the age of six, Rebecca received a Patriarchal Blessing on 18 May 1884 – the day after the Logan Temple was dedicated – from Patriarch Zebedee Coltron. Great promises were given to her and she lived to fulfill them all.
Rebecca was baptized into the Church on 16 Feb. 1886 in the Logan Temple by C. J. Larsen, and confirmed the same day by N. 0. Edlifsen in the Temple.
She and her sister Ella – two and one half years older – grew up together almost like twins. They dressed alike and together they attended school and the church organizations, until death separated them. Ella died after a brief illness at the age of fourteen. This was a great sorrow to us all, and especially to Rebecca.
Father recorded in his Journal:
“7 Jan. 1890 – I went to the Logan Temple and was baptized for some of my dead also my wife Margaret and my daughter Rebecca was baptized for some and Lettie May was baptized for herself”.
And again father made this entry;
“2 April 1892, my wife Margaret and daughter Rebecca and myself went to Salt Lake City to attend conference April 6th all the Priesthood took their appointed positions in the Tabernacle and all the rest of the people took seats in the galleries, preparatory to the ceremonies of laying the cap stone of the Salt Lake Temple. President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Lorenzo Snow trained us as we shouted, waiving our handkerchiefs “Hosannah, Hosannah, Hosannah, then staying our handkerchiefs and shouting with ‘To God and the Lamb,’ then shouting with waiving handkerchiefs – ‘Amen, Amen, Amen,’ saying it all over three times. We all marched out onto the Temple block – President Woodruff said – it was 39 years since Brigham Young layed the cornerstone”.
“At noon President Woodruff touched a button with which electricity was applied to raise the cap stone and then lower it into its proper position. After which the shouting and waiving was again gone through as before – it was a grand time long to be remembered. It was something Rebecca never forgot and a time when no doubt her love and devotion to temple work was born.
On May 1st, father continued to write,
“A general fast day of the whole Church was called to give thanks unto the Lord”.
Again the following year on April 7th, 1893 Rebecca, at the age of fifteen had the grand privilege of attending the dedication of the Salt Lake Temple with her parents. What a wonderful experience for one so young. No wonder all her life she devoted her time to this sacred work.
The following Aug. she was called, a girl yet in her teens, to serve in the primary organization of the 2nd ward. Her father recorded;
“Aug 15, 1893, I assisted in the reorganization of the Primary Organization of the 2nd ward by placing Sarah Parr President with Lottie Paul first counselor and Rebecca Ballard second counselor”.
This organization was ever dear to her heart and she served 50 years in its cause.
When she was 11 or 12 years old she became ill and mother called the doctor. I remember this very well, for I refused to go to bed until the doctor came for I wanted to see a doctor. I had never seen one and I wanted to know what a doctor looked like. The doctor came and pronounced the sickness as rheumatic fever. Rebecca was kept in bed for a long time and her heart became damaged. She finally was allowed to live a normal life and her dear heart served her well to a ripe old age.
As a young woman she was always very dignified and reserved. She was never light minded or enjoyed the follies of youth. She was an avid reader and always had a book in her hands – sometimes to the disgust of her sisters.
In her early life she suffered all the diseases of childhood and one of them left her with serious after effects. When she had the mumps they went ‘down’ on her and from its effects later In life the doctor attributed it as the cause of severe sickness during her pregnancies.
When she became old enough she attended the Brigham Young College in Logan and here her circle of friends enlarged. She had invitations to school dances and parties and school amusements by young men of her acquaintance but seldom accepted them and when she did she would come home and shrug her shoulders and say – “not again”.
She was a close companion to her mother and they spent many evenings walking around a few blocks together. Lettie and I were left home. I did not mind, but Lettie resented it very much because she was not allowed to go with them.
On one of these walks, one evening they met a young man walking in the opposite direction. He politely tipped his hat and said “Good evening”. Rebecca replied in a lady like manner, “Good evening”. After he had passed, mother said to Rebecca, “Who was that young man”? Rebecca said, without any apparent emotion, “A boy that goes to College”. Mother persisted, “What is his name”? Rebecca said “Lou Cardon”. “Whose son is he”? mother inquired. Rebecca was not quite sure but he was from Benson Ward. Mother was silent for a few moments and then said, “Some day he will ask you to be his wife”. Rebecca was shocked for she scarcely knew him and he had never shown any apparent interest in her. But as time went on their friendship grew and later friendship grew into love. At the age of 18 Rebecca became betrothed to Louis Samuel Cardon, son of Paul and Susannah Cardon – a handsome man nine years her senior. This was Rebecca’s first and only romance and they found mutual pleasure in their courtship.
Rebecca had intended to continue her education another year or two at the Brigham Young College where Lou also attended. Her brother Melvin had been courting Mattie Jones. When he received a call to go on a mission he was advised to finish that school year. In order to save expense for Mattie, mother, with Rebecca’s consent, invited her to move into our home and share the bedroom with Rebecca.
True to the custom of the day, Lou asked mother for permission to marry Rebecca. Mother was not surprised or unhappy for Lou had endeared himself to us all. She said to him, “Yes, you may marry Rebecca with my blessing and I have another daughter whom I would like to give to you in sealing for eternity also”. “She is Rebecca’s sister Ella”. Although surprised, this seemed agreeable to both Lou and Rebecca, but the sealing was not consummated until twelve years later.
Mattie and Melvin decided to marry before Melvin went on his mission and persuaded Rebecca and Lou to Mary at the same time and to have a double wedding. It did not take much persuasion for Lou to agree to an earlier date, but Rebecca was a little reluctant – she wanted to continue her schooling another year or two. However the double wedding date was decided upon to be the 17 June 1896.
That spring was a busy one! I remember well the day Mother broke the news to me. We were going down to Benson to spend the day with our brother Henry. I was then less than 11 years old. Lou was going with us to spend the day in Benson. That morning before we left, mother explained to me that Rebecca and Lou were going to be married in June. We all accepted Lou without any reservation and loved him I think as much as did Rebecca, but to know that he was going to take Rebecca away from us and away from our home, that was a little more than I was prepared to accept. I cried and cried most of the day, my love for Lou became cool and I was unhappy.
By his sweet understanding ways he soon won my love again and all his life after, I loved him with all my heart, as a brother and many times he was even closer.
Mattie was five years older than Rebecca and had more Social experience than the little small town eighteen old sister, so much of the planning was left to Mattie. They bought yards and yards of white satin for their wedding dresses and many, many yards of pearl beaded braid for trimming – but no wedding veils – they were not worn at that time. It is interesting to note the invitations to the wedding – to read J. Melvin Ballard and S. Louis Cardon instead of Melvin J. Ballard and Louis S. Cardon. This was Mattie’s idea and Rebecca went along with it. Mother made the wedding cake – four layers of delicious fruit cake and the local bakery decorated it in white icing with lacy trimmings and four white doves on springs nodding their heads on the very top of the cake.
Everyone was invited and it seemed everyone came and everyone brought two gifts. Strawberries and cherries were shipped in from Salt Lake City and I helped clean crate after crate of berries and wash mountains of dishes. Mother had washed and ironed the temple clothes for the brides and groom and for herself and father and packed them in white pillow slips ready to take to the temple. The wedding party went into the temple at a very early hour, in the morning and did not get home until late afternoon. The President of the temple and a life long friend of father’s performed the ceremony – President Mariner W. Merrill.
Tables were set and reset in mother’s large dining room – laden with food. Crowds came and stayed – the house was packed and what a wreck to clean up the next morning. I vowed then and there I would never have a reception when I got married – and I didn’t.
Of this event father wrote in his journals “June 17, (1898) my son Melvin J and Mattie A. Jones, also my daughter Rebecca A. and Louis S. Cardon were each married in the Logan Temple. I accompanied them (also Margaret) we had a very large gathering of family and friends of each families at Logan. Presidents Orson Smith and Isaac Smith were in attendance (Stake Presidency) the former spoke for a short time, words of congratulations, we had a good time till 2 a.m.”.
Before they were married Melvin bought Aunt Emily’s little home south of mother’s and rented it to Lou and Rebecca to live in while he was on his mission. Lou and Rebecca spent their honeymoon fixing up this house for their first home. In Rebecca’s words she thus described this their first home: “Auntie’s Home — The front of Auntie’s house faced the east and the southeast room was the parlor. The northeast room was a bedroom. Back of these two rooms was a large room used as the living room, with a porch on the south and a pantry and entrance to the cellar on the north. On the south west was a bedroom, and the kitchen was on the northwest corner. There was a well just like the one on Margaret’s porch, just outside the kitchen. Pumps were now being used. The floors were of wood flooring fitted together, and the entire outside was covered with boards at that time called rustic. When Melvin and I both married in June 1896, he had been called on a mission so he decided to buy Auntie’s home before he left. Arrangements were made and Louis and I moved into Auntie’s home and paid $15.00 per month to Melvin for the use of it. This helped him on his mission and gave us a good home near mother. The house had been rented for some time so was rundown on the inside. Louis and I whitewashed the two back rooms and papered the two front ones. The house looked fine with my bit of furniture and a new rag carpet on the floor. We lived there over two years and our first son, Ballard, was born there. I always felt at home there for it held many of my childhood memories”.
How well I remember when Ballard was born and how happy we were – especially his father. The first few months of Rebecca’s pregnancy she was very, very ill. Not just morning sickness, but all day for many, many days. She was in bed most of the time for her eyes were so effected that she was not able to move around, and her stomach was so sick that she retained little food. The blinds were drawn and any little light made her so dizzy she could not walk around. This condition lasted several months and she became very weakened. I think no woman ever suffered more in this condition than did Rebecca — not only with her first child, but with every child she had except Paul, her last child. He was born after mother died.
Before mother passed away she said to Rebecca “I have been with you in all your child bearing and tried to help you. If you have other children I will be with you – I will pray for you and do all I am permitted to do”. I have always felt that mother filled her promise and was permitted through her pleadings to bless Rebecca. During her pregnancy with Paul she was greatly blessed and was normal in health.
How fortunate for Rebecca that she always lived ‘close to mother’ for her mother was always there at every call when she was needed.
Ballard was such a clean looking baby and so sweet and loveable, and we all adored him. He remained sweet all his life and was always beloved. When he was very young, he became very, very ill – with what the doctor said was “water on the brain” or “brain fever”. I do not know the medical name of his condition, but today I understand operations are performed to help this condition, but at that time there was no known cure. Great faith was used for him and by inspiration mother applied cold cabbage leaves to his little hot head. Whether it was the cabbage leaves, or mother’s faith that relieved him, or both, I do not know, but I remember her staying up all night and both day and night applying crisp cabbage leaves to his dear little head. The leaves she took off were limp and dripping with water and Ballard’s life was spared – he was healed.
Father recorded in his journal;
“May 2, 1897, at our fast meeting my son Melvin’s son, Melvin Russell was blessed by myself, also Louis S. Cardon and my daughter Rebecca’s little son, Louis Ballard Cardon was blessed by myself at the same meeting”.
Returning to Rebecca’s writing:
“When Melvin was about to be released from his mission, Louis was called on a mission so Ballard and I moved back with mother, and Mattie and Russell, who had been living with mother, moved in their own house, and had it all ready for Melvin’s return. After Melvin’ had been home awhile, he remodeled the inside putting a bathroom where the pantry had been, and water in the kitchen. What a luxury now, hot and cold water in the house. In this house Lucile, Kenneth and Rulon were born”.
From father’s journal,
“June 7, 1898, Louis S. Cardon started upon his mission to Switzerland. ‘We had quite a family gathering”.
What he went on besides faith, I do not know – I know he suffered many hardships and filled a wonderful mission to the satisfaction of the Presidency of the Church who gave him gratitude and wonderful commendation for his labors.
During Louis’ absence, Rebecca did many things to make a dime – Mother paid her 25¢ each for milking a few cows. She had no living expenses so she managed with a few hardships, but it was not all bad; she had shelter and food and warmth and love for herself and her baby.
I remember one hot summer she wanted to go down to Benson to visit with Lou’s parents. She asked me to go with her to help take care of Ballard. I went and could have stayed with my brother Henry, but Rebecca persuaded me to stay at the Cardon home. I was very fond of lovable grandma Cardon and also of impetuoses lovable grandpa Cardon. Their home was on the banks of Bear River – the house was new and the up stairs was not yet finished – the windows were not yet set in the openings. I was assigned to sleep up stairs with Ballard and Rebecca slept down stairs. I’ll never forget that night – the heat, the mosquitoes and wind. I woke up in the night and there was no Ballard In the bed. I was scared to death for fear he had fallen out of one of the open windows. I lit a candle and searched. I found him under the bed fast asleep. How thankful I was to find him.
For quite some time while Lou was away Rebecca worked at the Court House – I think she was assistant County Recorder.
I remember one of the Primary visits Rebecca and I were appointed to make together, It was to Richmond way north of Logan. It had been stormy weather and the roads ‘were muddy. No cement or graveled roads – just plain mud.
Rebecca drove the horse, hitched to a single buggy. On our return home when we were in the middle of nowhere, a thunder storm came up and the horse was frightened. Mud grew deeper and deeper as it rained and the poor horse tugged his best to pull the buggy and the two passengers – when all of a sudden the bridle fell off the horses head. A strap had broken and let the bridle fall loose. We had no control of the horse. We got out of the buggy and wallered in the mud to sooth the horse and we were indeed a sorry looking sight. The old saying that “necessity is the mother of invention” proved true. We didn’t know what to do – no houses near by and no help. Help did come to us finally. I don’t remember who thought of it first – it must have been at the same time the inspiration came to us for we both started to laugh as we started to search our clothing for a safety pin. I have forgotten who found one, but how lucky for us one of us had a missing button and had substituted a big safety pin. We tugged together with the safety pin and the strap and finally pinned the bridle together and limped home. How lucky for us that it held.
Her devoted husband ‘Uncle Lou’ was always loyal to her and supported her in every calling that came to her to help her fulfill all of her responsibilities. His life was equally full and he served in many responsible positions both in the ward and in the stake. For many years he served as a member of the High Council of the Stake and his council was sought many times. He filled both Church and civic position in honor. His life of activities would fill a volume in itself. His first thoughts, however, were for his family, for their happiness and comforts. He provided well for them and worked with zeal to provide every comfort that he could for their welfare.
They always had a good horse and buggy and later owned one of the first automobiles in Logan. He was generous with Rebecca and never questioned her spendings. He was not only thoughtful of his own, but generous with his kin. He looked after his widowed sisters – his ageing parents and Rebecca’s, the missionaries’ wives and the sick. He was most generous with my mother and always so kind to her and shared with her every luxury that came to him.
I shall never forget his kindness to me when my husband was on a mission. Whenever a good play or opera came to Logan he always bought three tickets; one for Rebecca and one for himself and one for me. How many lonely hours would have been mine without his kindness to me. His greatest happiness in life was bringing happiness to his family and to others.
When he bought a lot in Logan Canyon and built a cabin on it, he enjoyed life there more than any other luxury available and was always so liberal in sharing his happiness.
I thought when Ballard and Margaret were young that I could never love my own more than I did them. All of their children have always been dear to me and in each one of their lives I recall little events that today touches my heart. I remember the little gifts they gave me and the love they bestowed upon me In their youth.
My boys and girls will never forget the joy they had in their youth at “Birch Glenn” and on trips to Logan and to Bear Lake with their Cardon cousins. We also recall many happy days the Cardons came to Salt Lake to visit us. We remember the picnics to the Canyons, to the Lake, to Liberty Park, rowing and feeding the animals, our old swimming pool, climbing little mountain and many other happy trips. “Daddy” and “Uncle Lou” were companionable and always happy together and enjoyed fishing in Logan River, camp fires and amusements with the children. It Is all very fresh in my memory and even now bring back happy thoughts and a few tears to my eyes.
How proud they were of Ballard when he went upon his mission to the Northwest and of the fine mission he fulfilled and their happiness when he returned, having left them in 1917 and returned in 1920.
After all this and many other things came the war, the depression and hardships; the financial crisis that came to us all and dealt a heavy blow to Louis and his business. Then the heaviest blow of all came with the sudden death of their father. On 14 of Dec. 1930 tragedy struck them in his passing suddenly of a heart attack at his home Sunday afternoon..
What a sorrow came to little Paul to lose his father and companion when he was so young and needed him so very much and for his name sake and grandson Louis, for Margaret who had to carry on the business, for each one of them in their sorrow. But most of ALL for Rebecca who was left to face life alone.
What a sad Christmas it was for them all, but they were sustained and Rebecca held her head high and did not complain. They were all sustained and worked hard. Each one helped carry their part of the great burden which had fallen upon them. Rebecca had been used to plenty and now everything but their home was taken from them.
While she carried a heavy heart she was so engrossed in making a living that she had little time for self pity or grief. She made Temple clothes, sewed for her children, raised a huge garden of vegetable, canned fruit for their winter use and carried on her primary work, bore her testimony with a heavy heart, but in gratitude for her blessings.
She continued her research in genealogy for our family and her husbands and carried on the temple work and for a very small fee she did research for others.
I have seen her gather arms full of vegetables with perspiration running down her face and her body trembling with exertion – working beyond her strength. I have seen her spend days and weeks at the Genealogical Library – going without lunch to save time, delving into records to save some soul who had been missed. Her eyes ached and her hands were numb, but she did not give up until physically she was unable to come to the Library and yet she worked on at home until almost the last hour of her life.
During the years great sorrow came to her dear ones and she suffered every pang of grief that was theirs. In 1953 her first born, Ballard, died of a heart attack just before Thanksgiving, leaving a wife and children and grandchildren. How she missed him all the rest of her life!
She remembered every birthday as long as she lived and every Christmas with her beautiful gifts made by her dear hands. She was never idle and seldom rested. She never forgot one of us. How I treasure the beautiful gifts made by her dear hands that she has given to me. The beautiful handkerchiefs will be a legacy my girls will cherish.
One happy memory is very dear to me, it was the day I was married, 3 Sept. 1908 in the Logan Temple. Mother and Melvin and Rebecca and Louis were there. After I was married on this day, Rebecca knelt at the alter with Louis as proxy for her sister Ella and on this day Ella was sealed to Louis S. Cardon for Eternity by President Budge. Mother was happy this day to have this sealing performed and we all were happy. Ella was very dear to us and so was Louis. I like to think of them together and hope Rebecca too will rejoice.
Rebecca was a widow for 42 years and in all that time she kept sweet and humble and faithful and cheerful. Her home has sheltered others besides her own and she has given them her love and protection, and in return they have given her their love and kindness and help when she has needed it.
She loved her violets, her large family, her friends and neighbors, and above all her religion. She has borne her testimony faithfully and comforted many by a word, a card, a poem or a telephone call. Her friends were many. As each year passed she grew more mellow, more understanding and more loveable.
The great desire of her heart was granted – she did not linger and she kept her memory. She was surrounded with her loved ones to the end, and I think, never spent a day alone. She passed away after a few hours of illness at the age of 94 years and 7 months and a few days on 12 Sept. 1972.
What a noble posterity she left and what a host of those who have gone before were there to welcome her. What a host whom she benefited awaited her and to thank her for her services in their behalf. How many awaited to greet her as she joined them in the Eternal world. Most of all, Louis’ joy beyond measure as he greeted her with “Well done”. She returned to her maker as pure as she came to this earth and I know her reward will be great.
