Clara Ellen Turley (1901-1993)
(Autobiography)
(Mrs. Daniel Radovich; later Mrs. Frank W. Olsen)

 

The Theodore Turley Family Book, pp. 318-319

I, Clara Ellen Turley was born Nov. 2, 1901 in Colonia Juarez, Mexico, the daughter of Edward Franklin Turley and Annie Sariah Martineau Walser, previously married to Henry Samuel Walser who was killed in a sawmill accident Oct. 12, 1897.  My parents were married Jan. 6, 1901 in Colonia Juarez by Apostle George Teasdale.

I was baptized Nov. 27, 1909 by my father in the river that coursed through the middle of Colonia Juarez by the swinging bridge.  November was a cold month but the watersfelt warm to me.  On July 24, 1912, a Sunday morning, the sun was shining, but a heart break stillness enveloped the valley--no Church bells rang that morning--the Mormons were leaving, having been given 48 hours to clear out. Mother and seven children left with her worldly goods, all she was allowed to take:  two trunks and a roll of bedding. The people went by wagons or buggies to Pearson where they were put on a train to El Paso, Texas.  We were in El Paso a short time.Then mother went on to Thatcher, Arizona.  After three months she decided it would be a good idea to go back to Logan, Utah– her birthplace and a half-brother Charles was living there; also Lyman in Salt Lake City and sisters Elizabeth Nebeker and Virginia Sudbury.  My sister Phyllis would not go to Utah, as she was married to William J. Preston and stayed in Arizona. Phyllis and Frederick were children of Mother's first marriage to Henry Samuel Walser.

My brother Frederick was the bread winner, and when World War I came along he enlisted in the Marines. While stationed at Quantico, Virginia.  Twice his units were sent overseas and he was left behind.  He said, "There must be a reason." Three months after he arrived home from the war he was killed in an accident at the Logan Depot.

When I graduated from the 8th grade I was asked to go to Salt Lake and stay with Grandma and Grandpa Martineau. Their health was not good.  I was there about 18 months.  In November, 1918 Mother married Alvin J. Hawkes and I stood as a witness.  I was 17 years old.  Grandmother Martineau died Dec. 5, 1918 and in Jan. I believe of 1919 Grandfather went to live with Uncle Lyman and I went there to help care for Grandfather. Later, Grandfather went to live with Aunt Virginia Murphy so I was asked to come and help care for him there.  He died June 24, 1921.  Grandfather (James H. Martineau) was a Patriarch and while I was there--16 months--I was a scribe for nearly 1000 blessings.

July 6, 1921 I was married to Daniel Radovich. We were blessed with three children:  Dan, Dale, and Donna. Dan died May 12, 1936. His temple work was done and I was sealed to him May 24, 1940 in the Salt Lake Temple.  Dan and Dale both served in World War II.  Donna got her M.D. at Columbia University in New York and while working on her Doctorate she married John W. Christensen, Chief Research Engineer for C.B.S.

On Sept. 4, 1954 I married Frank W. Olsen.  Frank died from a heart attack Sept. 29, 1972.  I am still living in Tooele, Utah.

My oldest son, Daniel C. lives in Ogden, Utah.  He works for Ogden City Roads and Highways Div.  His son Daniel lives in Santa Clara, Calif, and works for Automotive Laboratory Div. of Spectre Physics-Science-Lazer Computer's etc.  His daughter Bethany lives in Portland, Oregon.  Her husband, Paul C. Rawlins, works for the telephone Company.  They have two little girls, Megan and Jessica.