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Sharing our Links to the Past |
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Pearl Romney (Mrs. Stephen Howell Chipman. Later Mrs. Gerald C. Johnson) (1890-1980) The Theodore Turley Family Book, pp. 371-372 I was born at Cliff Ranch, Chihuahua, Mexico on Sept. 9, 1890. I was the first child of Miles A. and Frances [Turley] Romney. Shortly after their marriage they had gone to live with his parents at Cliff Ranch. There my mother loved to wander in the woods and mountains among the wild flowers and streams. "The happiest moment of my life was when my first baby was laid in my arms," was what my mother said years later when interviewed on a radio program. There were other grandchildren in Arizona, but I was the first grandchild in Mexico. So, of course, the many aunts and uncles fussed over me. I loved my Grandmother Romney and used to spend hours just talking to her even when just a little girl. We lived in Juarez and Grandpa and Grandma Romney lived at their farm near Old Casas Grandes. I would go to visit her every time I had a chance. One day, in particular, some Mexicans came to trade at her little "Tienda" where she sold clothing mostly. She wasn't around at the moment, so I went in and opened the door for them. When she came in, I was up on the counter trying to wait on them. When they were gone she said to me, "You are a naughty little girl. Those Mexicans could have taken everything in this store." I was broken-hearted to think that she was unhappy with me. So I decided that I would walk home, 18 miles away. I got my sunbonnet and started out without saying a word to her. When they missed me, they found my little tracks in the road and caught up with me, two miles away. Another time that stands out: My mother had just cooked a big dinner. The best dishes were sitting on the sideboard. She had to leave and suggested that I do the dishes while she was gone. I think I was only six or seven. Anyway, somehow about one-third of the dishes fell to the floor and broke. I knew that nice dishes like that were not to be had in Mexico. So I stacked them up as best I could and then asked Miles and Edna to come with me upstairs and pray that Heavenly Father would put them back together again. When we came back, the dishes were still broken. I was very disappointed and felt that the Lord had let me down. I did not pray for a long time after that. After graduating from high school, I taught school at Moreles for two years to get enough money to go to Provo to school. Many of the boys I taught were larger than I, but I did not have any trouble with discipline. At Brigham Young University I was on the Debating Team and won a gold Y embedded with pearls that I have treasured all my life. I do not believe they give them out now. My best friend was Fern Chipman. Her father owned a large mercantile store in American Fork, Utah. I spent many happy hours at her home. Her only brother, Stephen Howe was away on a mission. When he returned we fell in love and were married June 26, 1913. Frances Maxine [their daughter] was born May 20, 1914 in American Fork, Utah. She was a darling little blonde, just as precocious, fearless and unafraid as I had been at her age. We were the best of friends all of our lives. I taught school in the Philippines, traveled in Europe, and finally went to New York to work in the Child Welfare Department. Here in New York I have seen all the best plays and operas. About 1970 I toured the United States with some friends. In Utah, at their home, they had an Open House for me. There again I met many friends and relatives that I had not seen in years: Eyrings, Chipmans, Romneys, etc. Uncle Junius threw his arms around me and said, "My Pearl of Great Price."
Pearl married Gerald Johnson on Sept. 24, 1949 in New York, New York. He was born on Sept. 27, 1894 in Philadelphia, Penn. to Leonard and Margaret Crawford Johnson. |
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