Isaac Joseph Lloyd

History of Isaac Joseph Lloyd

I don’t know of a better time to be permitted to come to this earth and given a body with which to work out my salvation than the year of 1904. I was born on June l6th of that year to John L. and Hortense Parke Lloyd. I am the second child in a family of nine. My brothers and sisters are: John Lyman, Clinton, Alton, Clarence, Horace, Hortense, Leah and Warren.

I was born in Wilford (which is near St. Anthony) Idaho. When I was about two years old, my parents moved to Central, Idaho (an area between Bancroft and Grace). There were very few settlers in this valley. I remember watching my father while he cut down huge sagebrush bushes, so that he could plow the ground. There were no wells and we had to melt snow or carry water from Bear River. Bear River was about six miles away. I vaguely remember starting school. My first grade teacher was Miss Roland.

When was six or seven years old my father felt that he could better himself by making a change in location, so he sold the Homestead at Central and bought an irrigated place at Lund. It was here that I was kicked in the head by a horse. I was picked up apparently lifeless and my father thought it was hopeless to drive a horse and buggy into Bancroft for a Doctor and help, but my mother insisted. Arriving in Bancroft, my parents were told that my pulse was very weak and that I could not recover, but again my mother insisted on not giving up. She asked that I be given a Priesthood blessing. After the blessing was given to me by Bishop George Fisher, I began to respond. I have always felt that my life was spared because of my mother’s great faith.

During this period of my life, my school days are most vivid. We had to ride horseback 2 1/2 miles. Father got us a gentle pony, we called Taps. Taking us to school must have been boring to the horse, because I remember Lyman often had trouble getting her to leave the place. One morning, when it was bitter cold, I well remember Father lifting me onto the horse as usual. I carried the lunch bucket and Lyman carried the book-sack over his shoulder. When we got to school, we discovered that my fingers, face and ears were frozen. I spent a miserable day at school that day and for several days after.

I remember very well the year of 1913. Father received a call to fill a mission in the Southern States. This was a great decision for my parents. Alton was only six weeks old, but both of them had the faith to do what the Lord wanted them to do. While father was gone, Alton came down with pneumonia and had a terrible high fever which affected his whole life.

When my father returned home, we moved from Lund to Grace. The first boy I met was John Kirby who I called Jack. He lived near our place. One time when Jack had the mumps, and mother had warned us not to play together, we became interested in catching rabbits. We decided that if we didn’t get in line with the wind, we could catch rabbits. I’ll never forget Jack running around the grainery putting his hands out to catch the rabbit and me coming around the grainery the other way. To avoid giving me the mumps we had to let the rabbit go.

My father was called to become a Bishop of the Grace Ward, and Bishop’s sons are expected to set a good example, but I think this was a good experience for us.
I would like to mention the impact it had on our community when World War I started. Everyone’s heart was sad to see our young men march off to war. This was not all, at the same time the influenza epidemic broke out and many died. Dr. Hubbard’s son. David, was among them.

After the war, the country was hit by a terrible depression. Many people lost their homes, banks closed their doors, and those people who could hold on to their places sold hogs for three cents a pound, cream for five cents, and wheat for twenty-five cents a bushel. Young pigs and young calves were killed because they could not afford to raise them. Everyone seemed to be without money but we had fun. There were few cars, and I especially remember the winters. We would travel by horse and sleigh all over the country to school activities and dances. We would get all we could into the sleighs and put on four head of horses, it’s a wonder that we didn’t get killed because often these trips would end up in races. I remember one night I pulled into town. I had a snappy team that I was especially proud of and I thought that I would give the crowd a thrill. I gave the team the whip and cut a big slime. The sleighbox turned upside down on the crowded street. Luckily there was no one hurt.
Soon it was time for Lyman to go on his mission. We had always done things together and now we were to be separated.

(History continued as written by his family)
Dad met our mother while she was working at a weigh station in Grace, Idaho weighing sugar beets. She had come from Idaho Falls to earn money for college, and he came in with a load of beets. He tried to get a look at the new girl at the scales and she resented being stared at and so she was very cool and distant when he came in and asked for a date. Her answer was, “I don’t know anything about you.” To which he replied, “Well, your brother does.” And she answered, “Well then, I will just ask my brother.” When she asked her brother, he told her that there was no one in Grace he would rather trust her with. So that’s how it began. They corresponded while she attended Brigham Young College in Logan and on Nov. 16, 1927 they were married in the Logan Temple. There was a little joke between them that when a problem arose, Lill laughing would tell him she’d have to ask her big brother.

Their first home was in Ivins where Joe worked with his father on what was then called the Idaho Ranch. It was a trying time because of the depression and like everyone else they struggled to make ends meet. Valiantly trying to care for his little family, Joe rented the old Will Creer farm at Lund for two years, then a farm in Preston for one year. At that time he was told of a ranch 1 1/2 miles South of Bancroft to be had for a small down payment and easy terms. This ranch was owned by an elderly German couple who had a thriving little business of raising and selling horseradish and wanted to retire. The financial arrangements were $250.00 down and $10.00 a month until paid for. This ranch soon became a haven and a very special place for the family.
With the assistance and encouragement of some very special friends like, Lester Smith, Newell and Hyrum Call, Amos Rigby and others the ranch soon became a profitable sheep and grain farm.

Until the day of tractors, Joe loved horses. He was proud of a well—matched team, and knew how to make them respond. The harnesses were kept oiled and in good condition and he insisted that they fit properly. He loved to work and cultivate the land. The years spent living at the ranch were happy ones filled with pleasant memories for the entire family.

He was completely dedicated to the principal of tithing. Many times, as the crops were harvested and sold there was just not enough money to pay debts due and tithing. However, tithing was always settled first and somehow the other debts of that particular year were taken care of. At one time a dear and respected friend, knowing that their harvest had been poor advised them in all sincerity that the Lord would not expect them to pay a tithing under such circumstances. Joe was not tempted in the least. As usual the tithing came first and somehow the other payments were made and the family suffered no ill effects. In fact, we always felt especially blessed because our tithing was paid. He was as honest in his fast offerings, and other obligations. He was always one of the first to offer a combine or tractor to help someone in difficulty or to work on the church farm.
In. 1955, they bought a home in Bancroft but still continued to farm. Their home and yard were soon beautiful.

In May of 1983, they bought a new home next to their son’s just South of town. Dad was operated on for a brain tumor from which he did not recover. He was in the hospital for almost eight weeks and Mom was in the hospital, or a member of his family was, every day but one during this time. There’s was a special marriage. He died September 18, 1983.

In closing this history we, his children would like to add a few things.
First, a comment made by Jennie Lloyd, a sister- in—law. She said, “I enjoyed talking with Joe. He did not try to interrupt and tell you his side. He truly listened.” We agree with her, he was a good listener.

Our family has been a musical one and my father encouraged us. We always, as we traveled, sang in the car, and we had many opportunities to sing in public.
I have a special memory of my Daddy when I was a Senior in High School. I was chosen to be Sweetheart of the Sweetheart ball but I had no escort as my special guy was over-seas. I was supposed to dance with my partner in the floor show. Daddy walked in while Mom was marking my dress and found me crying. I remember how concerned and sorry he was as he offered to be my escort, if it would help. I remember that he had tears in his eyes, and I loved him so much because I knew that he really cared. I was proud to have my Dad as my special escort.

Shortly after my marriage, my husband and I went to Soda Springs for parts for my father. I tried to explain to the clerk that my father would pay for them later. He stopped me and said, “If you are Joe Lloyd’s daughter, I’m not worried. Joe pays his bills.” It made me feel good to have my husband hear this about my father.
He used a little slang in moments of stress, but it would have been literally impossible for him to take the name of Diety in mockery. Once, I remember, when I was a frustrated young student nurse, I began to use a few slang words. My father said to me in all seriousness, “Joann”, I wish you wouldn’t talk like that. It. sounds like hell and doesn’t do a damn bit of good.” He was proud of my being a nurse. I guess I did it for him because every time I swore I’d quit, I’d remember how proud he was to have me there and I couldn’t quit and let him down.” All of the above comments were made by JoAnn.

Pauline was told by an individual from Grace at the time of the funeral that if Joe didn’t make it to heaven there would not be very many people there.
He held many positions in the Church. He was l counselor in the Bancroft Ward Bishopric to Bishop Glenn Yost with Henry Meiners serving as Second Counselor.
He was High Priest Group leader for about eight years. He was a member of the Soda Springs High Council, and a member of the Stake Men’s Mutual Presidency.
He served with his wife in the Roanoke Virginia Mission. They also served as temple workers in the Logan Temple.

He believed that a man’s word should be a good as his bond and followed that policy all of his life. He had the good will of friends and neighbors because of this characteristic.

He was a loving, proud father. He expected discipline and respect and got it from his children without the use of physical discipline. His children all knew that disrespect toward their mother would not be tolerated. His attitude was one of love, patience, and respect. Her welfare came first at all times. He admired and had great pride in their home. For many years mom arranged flowers from their garden to take to church and other functions and he always was proud to carry them. He had a strong testimony of the gospel and great respect for the General Authorities. He was a special man and we all love him dearly.