Part 4: Ancestral History

More on Joseph Stradling:

ME: Note the description of Joseph in the second to the last paragraph...in these circumstances, the line between protector and gunslinger may have been a little blurry...

Last paragraph is kind of a sweet vignette.  

Stradling Sons The Cousin Connections Contributed by Direct Line Relatives Compiled in 1997 by Bonnie Stradling Beazer

Joseph Obediah was born in provo, Ut in 1866, fifth child of a family of eleven children.

Joseph was very good with animals and when he was young it was his job to drive the horses, cows, oxen to pasture. He grew up learning how to grow field crops and also vegetables and fruit. He probably learned to ride a horse very early since he, at 15 , and his brother , Owen age 7 rode horses and drove the cattle the 500 miles from Provo, Utah to St. Johns, Arizona when his father was called to settle there. 

Joseph was 18 years old when he met Hanssina who was 15. During the next three years Joseph and Hanssina got to know each other and decided to marry. Joseph had dark hair and blue eyes, medium height, strong from the hard work he did. Hanssina was a lovely girl with soft brown hair, green eyes and beautiful Danish skin and slim figure. At that time polygamy was still practiced and Joseph, age 21, was thankful to win the girl he loved. 

In 1889 their Elsina was born, their only daughter, she lived just six weeks. Ten Sons were born to them.

Hanssina was a wonderful cook, was capable of taking care of her children's wounds ( and neighbors illnesses) knitted socks for her family, fiathfully paid her tithing (tithing receipts were saved in a butter mold) and loved her husband and sons. She helped plant fruit trees and had a garden. Joseph and Hanssina shared their home and food and milk with others new in the area or in need.

Joseph's parents lived with them ( they added a room and fireplace to their home for them) when Joseph and Hanssina had five boys. The youngest 18 months old, Joseph always referred to his wife as Mrs. Stradling, and a compliment on a meal was, "that was pretty good".

Besides farming, Joseph was the Water Master for many years, a job that required long hours and a firm hand. (Water meant LIFE and squabbles happened often and had to be dealt with)Joseph loved his team, they were well cared for and when he cultivated their response to his Haw and Gee was so instant it was a joy to behold. 

One interesting insight to Joseph's character (as told by John Sherwood, Sr. ) Was Joseph's fearless defense against lawlessness. He wore a gun and carried a rifle. There were many desperados in Arizona because it was still a territory and the Sheriff depended on local men to help protect the town and it's people. Joseph never turned back after making a decision. 

Hanssina died in 1939, leaving Joseph a widower for 16 years. He built a room near his son Marvin's home. As he aged, he seemed shorter, he kept his hair short, he was clean shaven and his clothes spotless. He missed his Hanssina, once one of Marvin's children went to his grandpa's door and heard him praying, asking Father in Heaven why he had to stay so long after Hanssina "left him" . . . the grandchild rushed in and cried, "I need you, grandpa!" Marvin's children loved their grandpa and he was always there for them.

From Memories under Joseph Obediah Stradling