Memories of Grandma Parent

Frost Family Reunion of the past (possibly 1950s?)

Dorthea - 1927

Written February 11, 2005 by Vernon Parent, my uncle: 

Ninety-nine years ago today, Mother was born along side the bear river here in Benson Utah. The 86 acre farm was quite fertile ground and probably the best farming ground that Grandfather ever had, but then I don't think he was not really a farmer at heart, I believe he was an innovative trader, who lived in a rural environment. Mother loved to talk about she being chosen to accompany her dad in making the rounds with his Raleigh's merchandising wagon up in summit county. Since grandfather was a willing trader, Mother said they never knew what he would bring home, since he would take trade for his household utensils, ointments, salves, and household spices, extracts etc.

Grandmother Frost was 120 pounds of dynamic goodness and produced a family of children who were noble, intelligent, loving, spiritual giants. I do not remember her personally, but having been intimately acquainted with all her children, I feel I know of her as a noble person who was spiritually in tune with the needs of each member of her family at all times. Her prophetic comment to mother that Dad "was to be her future husband" at their first meeting, despite the objections of grandfather and older brother Clarence, demonstrate her closeness to the spirit in everyday events.

When Mother retired in 1970 she collected her many journals and calendars from each year of her marriage and commenced writing her personal history, and she encouraged each of her children, to write their life's story, "while they were young and could remember the details". 

East Grand Forks, MN Historical Photos

These are a few historical photos I found of East Grand Forks, Minnesota where my paternal Grandfather, Joseph Parent, had his farm. I found the photos on the Minnesota Historical Society website.

1908 East Grand Forks, MN

1897 - Flood of the Red River, East Grand Forks, MN

1910 - Sacred Heart Catholic Church and Rectory, East Grand Forks, MN

Peter Frost Photos

This is information from my Uncle Vernon about my father's maternal grandparents: Peter Frost and Rebecca Jorgensen were married 6 July 1893 and lived  in a house in Logan, Utah, but I have not been able to locate that house.  They purchased an 86 acre farm in Bensen, Utah, 8 miles northwest of Logan from Rebecca's brother and lived on it for the next 14 years.  This photo displays the house which has since been replaced with a more modern house. They also homesteaded 40 acres northwest of the cheese factory, and that required Rebecca to live in a log cabin on the property for a year and a half before the US government would give them title to the land, and then sell it to help pay for the original 86 acre farm. 

This farm house was the one that Rebecca and children lived in and farmed, while Peter returned to Denmark on a mission of two years during which time he baptized 25 converts.  They had a steady stream of Danish visitors for the next 20 years, and Becky was proficient at feeding all who came with a minimum of supplies. and she trained all her daughters in frugal living.

Peter Frost

Joseph Parent Family Photos from Crescent City, CA

October 1959

Keller Street house under construction.

Grandparents with Bringhurst children

Grandma Parent cooking in the Keller St. home.

Joseph Parent Family Photos from MN

My grandpa, Joseph Parent, and his two children from his first marriage. His wife died of TB I believe.

My great-grandfather's family - Alphonse Joseph Parent

Joseph Anthony Parent Family - March 1966

Joseph Parent Family - March 1966

Back row standing, left to right:

Margo Bringhurst, Deon Bringhurst holding Margo, Ed with hands on Jimmy Jones III, DeWayne with hand on Eric Bringhurst, Reed Parent, Jimmy Jones, Jr.

Sitting Left to right:

Vernon Parent, Lila holding Eron Bringhurst, Joseph Parent, Dorthea F. Parent, Jeanette Jones holding a baby 

Grandma Parent's High School Yearbook

Note from Uncle Vernon: This is a page from grandmother Dorthea Frost Parent's Jordan High School year book for the year 1924.  She was an honor student, with the highest grade points in the Jordan high school 1924 graduating class.   That gives the grandchildren something to strive for!  Oh by the way, the local and school politics gave the valedictorian speech to another young man.