By daughter Estella Goddard Olson

Henry John William Goddard was born 20 Nov. 1858 at Provo, Utah, the son of Henry Goddard and Hannah Astill, pioneers of 1855. He was born in a log cabin his father had built in the southern part of Provo. They lived there several years until a large adobe house was built on the corner of the same lot.

On the night he was born a raging snow storm came up suddenly and, as his father was away, his mother set out into the storm to get the animals under shelter. That night her son was born. He was their third child. Their first child, Joseph, was born in England, Their second, a daughter, Hannah Charlotte, was born in 1856 in Provo. Later another son, Enoch Samuel, was born, also in Provo.

Henry's childhood was much the same as any other boy's of the early days of Utah (or the State of Deseret as it was then called). Later it was called the Territory of Utah. There were many hardships and hard work, but also much fun playing with the other children of the neighborhood, such as the Johnson, the Boardman, the Farrer, and the Hatton boys. All of these were children of pioneer families who had emigrated from England. These friendships lasted through their lifetimes.

Near their home was much land still unsettled and this was the favorite camping ground for Indians wadering through the country. Henry often told of wrestling with Indian boys of his own age. At one time they were really frightened by some Indian braves. His sister, Hannah, was a very pretty girl with black curly hair and brown eyes. One of the Indians took a liking to her and told her father, "My little girl". Her father in fun said, "Yes". The Indian was serious, though, and when they were ready to leave he came to get Hannah. They had a hard time trying to make the Indian understand that he couldn't take her.

Henry loved the great outdoors. His father bought a farm and so Henry had many opportunities to learn about nature. He loved to go fishing and swimming. In the winter there was skating on Utah Lake and he was known as one of the best skaters and swimmers. He won many prizes in competative sports. He loved to read books and was very studious. He especially loved to read histories and had a remarkable memory of the things he read. His enjoyment of reading lasted throughout his life. When he was quite old he would stay up until midnight reading.

His early education was received in the grade schools. Later he was one of the first students in the Brigham Young Academy when it was opened. After he received this higher education the professor wanted him to be a teacher, but he loved the life of a farmer and decided to make that his vocation in life.

In the early days much rail splitting had to be done and the logs had to be brought from the canyons. He did much of this work, cutting logs and floating them down the river. He was known as the champion rail splitter. The instrument Henry used to split the logs is in the pioneer collection of David Loveless, now owned by the city of Provo. Mr. Loveless had also written a very interesting article about Henry and his rail splitting.

About the year 1885 he met a beautiful English girl, Betsy Ann Kay. She had come to Utah a short while before for her religion - the only one of her family to come to the U.S. at that time. She made her home with the William Smith Tanner family in Payson. At this time she was working in Provo for Chris and Annie Johnson, who were very good friends of Henry's family. Mrs. Johnson told Betsy that she had a very nice young man for her. One night he stopped at the Johnson home on the way from working several days in the canyon. He wasn't shaved or cleaned up and when Mrs. Johnson introduced them, Betsy thought, "My, I'd never want to go out with a fellow who looked like that!" Mrs. Johnson told him to go home, clean up, and come over that evening. When he came back Betsy felt different as he was very handsome. It wasn't long before they were married at the Tanner home in Payson by Bishop Joseph Tanner. They were married 17 Dec. 1886.

After they were married they returned to Provo to make their home. At first they rented part of the home of his sister, Hannah, who had married Thomas Leonard. Here their first two children were born: Ernest Henry, 18 Sept. 1887, and Esther Jeanette 15 July 1889. About the time Esther Jeanette (Etta, as they called her) was three years old, they moved into their new home. It was built on the same lot on 1st West and in about the same spot where the old log cabin where Henry was born had been. They lived there the rest of their lives. Their third child, a son whom they named John William, was born 12 Nov. 1891.

On May 5, 1893 they were heartbroken at the death of their first son, Ernest, who had swallowed a dried bean three days before. The bean swelled in his throat and in spite of everything they tried to do, it choked him to death.

On the 10th of April, 1895 they went to the Salt Lake Temple, received their endowments and were sealed for all eternity. They were very happy to have this privilege.

On the 9th of March 1898 another son, Elvin Kay, was born, but in December of 1900 he contracted diphtheria. In spite of all medical science knew at that time, even operating on his throat and inserting a silver tube to help his breathing, he pased away. He was a beautiful child and grieved for very much.

On 12 March, 1901 Hugh Kay was born. Just a month later Henry's father passed away. A number of years before he had divided his property between his three children. The big adobe house was given to Henry's brother Enoch. He and his family had lived there for years and had cared for Grandma Goddard (Hannah Astill) through her last illness. The children had paid rent on the land and at his death they became the owners of it. Henry received the plot of land on which his home was built.

The last of Henry and Betsy's children was born 14 Oct. 1903. I was that last child and was named Estella Jane. This gave them six children with four living.

Henry (Father) was always very active in civic affairs of Provo City. He served many years in public office. He was water master for eight years, a councilman for eight years and city commissioner for eight years. When the city government was changed he served under Mayor LeRoy Dixon. He had the distinction of never being defeated in an election. His keen knowledge of the water situation made him invaluable to the city. He served on many important conventions and committees, serving as chairman or president of many of them. He went with a group of city and county officials and their wives on a trip to California to inspect roads and city government methods, and to find and settle on a plan for the new city and county courthouse they were planning to build. They went as far north as Seattle, Washington. Mother and Father had a wonderful time. They remembered and talked about it for years. father was still president of the Fort Field Irrigation Co. at the time of his death. just before his death he was asked by a committee to run in the fall election for mayor, but because of ill health, he could not accept.

He was also active in church work. He was ordained to the office of High Priest 3 Dec. 1911 by Albert Manwaring. he was chairman of the Old Folks' Committee for many many years. As a ward teacher he had the distinction of never failing to make his visits and reports each month. He was never agressive, but when asked to do something, he did it well. He was always honest and square in all his dealings, generous to a fault, kind and loving to all. He was loved by all. Children as well as adults were happy when with him and loved to hear the stories he would tell. He loved games of skill, especially checkers, and there were not many who could beat him. When he retired and his health wasn't so good, he and Mr. Cook, an old friend, would play checkers by the hour to pass the time.

Betsy Ann, his wife, passed away 27 March, 1921 of pneumonia. I, Estella, kept house for him and Hugh, Etta and Bill having married some years before. Etta married Ezra Tanner and Bill married Norma Gray.

I kept the house for four years until my marriage 25 March 1925 to Roland L. Olson. After our marriage we moved to Spring Canyon, Utah, where Roland had been working for nearly a year. Father's nephew, Leonard Goddard and his wife, Hazel, came and lived with him in the old home until his death 7 Oct. 1929 at the age of 71. He died of a heart attack brought on by asthma, which he had suffered from for years.