Granddaughters Jetta Eustance, Bonnie Shipley
Grandma and Great Granddaughter Christy Payne

History of My Life

Amelia Malloy Holst Petersen

My name is Amelia Malloy Holst Petersen. I was born 24 April, 1891, at my parents, (Walter Edgar & Charlotte Athelia Larson). home in Murray, Utah, nine miles south of Salt Lake City, Utah.

My Father’s name is Walter Edgar Malloy, born 14 May 1844, at New Orleans, LA, (birth date and place unknown) died 16 July 1899, at Murray, Utah. Walter was buried in the Murray City Cemetery.

My Mother’s name was Charlotte Athaliah Larson, born 28 April 1864, at St. George Utah. Her Mother’s name was Amelia Weight. Her Father’s name was John George Larson. (Middle name "George" doesn't show up on any other records that I know of) Charlotte was buried in the Murray City Cemetery.

I was baptized 31 July 1909, at Lorenzo, Idaho, eighteen years old, I was baptized by Zer Ohe P. Terry.

I attended Murray Utah schools.

Childhood memories were very pleasant ones. My Grandmother Amelia Weight Larson George came across the plains. She was nineteen years old. She joined the L.D.S., (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 21 February 1849 or 1850), church in London, England. She was very talented in music, spent many happy days with all of us children, told us very interesting stories of her experiences. One pleasant memory was when she hitched the horse to the surrey and would take us all to the Lagoon. We never tired of hearing her tell of the many blessings she’d enjoyed after settling in Salt Lake City, Utah. She told us many times that the L.D.S. Religion was true. She did much Temple work, and was a very wonderful person. (One obituary says she was a member of the Tabernacle Choir. It hasn't been officially verified yet.)

I remember my Father well. He passed away when I was eight years old. He was very very kind and a very good Father. We loved him dearly. He was very good looking, black wavy hair, and large brown eyes. He never joined our church, but believed in it.

I left Murray, Utah to work for my sister Margaret Kerr, at Lorenzo, Idaho. I lived with her and Family about eight months. When my brother Guy, and cousin George Scott got off train at Lorenzo a young man lived at the depot with his sister. He made the remark to my sister as he saw me get off the train, one day, "That’s the girl for me." That night we went dancing, and kept steady company, and was married in July. (17 July 1906 at Blackfoot, Bingham, Idaho)

We were very happy, and welcomed our babies with open arms. We wanted twelve. Edgar (Ted), (James Edgar, born 2 Mar 1907) was born in Lorenzo, Idaho, also Faye, (Faye Lualta, born 24 Feb 1909, Lorenzo, Idaho) in a log house. Erma, (Erma Marguerite, born 24 Sep 1910 Mammoth, Juab, Utah) and Madge, (Madge Gertrude, born 30 Jun 1912) in Mammoth, Utah, Niles, (Niles Fredric, born Ucon, Bonneville, Idaho)  at Ucon, and Chris, (Christie Reese, born Ammon, Bonneville, Idaho) at Ammon Hospital. Niles died, (11 Aug 1915, Idaho) on the dry farm when he was eleven months old, was a lovely child. This was a terrible blow to us. Niles passed away in August. Chris Holst, my first husband passed away in December,(8 Dec 1916) in hospital at Idaho Falls, Idaho. This was a terrible blow. Baby Chris was six months old, Ted ten years old. I had a severe nervous break down, weighed 80 pounds then. She had to muster courage and she worked very hard to support her children. She had to sell the farm and bought a home in Ucon. They lived there for five years. During this time she worked with the doctor in that area. She would accompany him to visit his patients. She assisted the doctor with deliveries and stayed with the family and care for them until they could take over. At times she delivered the babies when the doctor was not available. It was during this time that she met and kept company with a good neighbor A.L. Petersen, (Alma Lionel). They had considered marriage but were afraid it wouldn’t work because of the children. Grandpa had five children also, (Allen Lionel, Eva Laverne, Verland Hans, Lloyd Franklin, Lucille Marretta) .

My children and I went back on the dry farm in the Spring. It was very hard to go back without their Father. He was so very kind and good to us, and we loved him. I sold farm and bought house in Ucon, Idaho. Lived there five years, then moved to Idaho Falls, Idaho. Faye and I worked in L.D.S. Hospital for two years. Then I and family except Ted, went to live with my Mother in Murray Utah.

My good neighbor, A.L. Petersen had kept company with me for five years, we couldn’t decide on marriage on account of our children, afraid it wouldn’t work out. But we were married 9 Jul 1925, at Idaho Falls, Idaho. We worked hard, and love and our faith in God, helped us.

I always believed in Faith and Prayer, and have been helped many times, especially when there was death and sickness, and when my two beloved sons, Chris and Al were over seas.

I had a serious Goiter operation, and in seven months after had a female and appendix operation, and tonsils out. Dr. Harvey Ray Hatch operated on me twice, and took care of me when Al, (Alma Lyle Petersen, born 12 Apr 1929 in Idaho Falls, Bonneville, Idaho) was born. We went to my Mother’s for a rest, and took Lucille and Chris with me. We had many enjoyable visits to Murray, Utah, to visit my Mother and step-father, Tom (Thomas Robinson ) Birch, and my daughter Faye, her husband Lem, (Lemuel John Eustance), and family.

One time my Mother and Step-father, Tom Birch, were visiting us. We went fishing. I had been up early. We women wore coveralls. I had a pair of Dads, (Alma Lionel) on. I was on a rock fishing and catching a lot of fish. When suddenly I felt faint and had to stop. Father Birch said you worked to hard getting us a good breakfast. (Stacks of pancakes on coal stove). That day I discovered I was pregnant, with our dear son, Al. Dad and I were married four years when Al was born. Eleven months after last operation he arrived. We were extremely happy. We wanted more children, but seemed it just wasn’t to be. Being 38 years old it was hard on her but needless to say they were very happy. Raising their family was a great challenge and a great joy. Grandma loved people and had many parties at home. Because of her great love for children her home was always crowed with them and not all of them were hers. Each Sunday her children would bring their friends home for dinner and played basketball on the lawn.

We had home parties, and every Sunday the children would play basketball on the lawn. I’ve enjoyed my family very much. Their troubles and sorrows and joys have been mine also. I love children, in fact all people, flowers and music. We enjoy reading church books, especially the Bible, which has helped a great deal.

My grandmother used to tell us to read a little every day, if it was just one line of good reading, and I think that’s a good rule to follow.

I like good movies, but since my eyes aren’t good I don’t take interest in them. We use to hitch black team to white tap and take children fishing. Al was small, but we all enjoyed it.

The children soon were getting married off. Lucille and Al were home for some time. When Al was 18 he went to Los Angeles with Chris. We were very sad over boys going, then Al joined the Air Force.

I worried a great deal when Chris was in the service, over seas. I took care of his boys, Val and Lynn. We were living in Idaho Falls then. Al was 15 years old, and we had sold the farm. Al was over seas in 1950, at Okinawa. My health was bad and I had a nervous break down.

Her children grew and were getting married and moving away. She enjoyed her family very much. She was blessed with and loved her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and gg grandchildren. What a blessing she has been in each of their lives.

Grandma lived a long full life. She faced sorrow with courage trials with endurance, and always with faith in God. But most of all a gracious, loving lady I remember so well.

SONGS I LIKE

In The Garden

Beyond The Sunset

Sometime We’ll Understand

I Need Thee Every Hour

POEMS I LIKE

(This one Al and Chris had with them over seas.)

Remember only this. When there are times when have need to share your problems. I shall always be waiting for you to come to me. Eager to help on your way, or blunt the sharp edge of dismay. Your need of me, if you but knew. Is nothing to my need of you.

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