Wilford Eckersell

WILFORD ECKERSELL

Wilford Eckersell was born at Rexburg, Idaho on his parents' farm east of town on the 7th of September 1896. A young girl by the name of Electa Tempest came to help care for things while his mother recuperated. He was the fourth child in a family of ten. His father, James McPhail Eckersell was engaged in the dual vocation of farming and freighting. While their father hauled freight summers, their mother, Diana Taylor Eckersell and the children would run the farm so Wilford learned to work hard as a child.

The family sold their farm to Wm. Huskinson and in 1901 moved into their new brick home at 165 North 1st West. This remained a family gathering place until the Teton Dam Flood of 1976 when it was demolished. Wilford's father and uncles operated Eckersell Brothers Livery Stable as well as running their freight teams. As Wilford began growing up he would go freighting with his father and brothers. From this experience he learned to care for and love horses, especially spirited horses. Through out his life Wilford made sure his horses were always well groomed and properly fed.

In 1913 Wilford and his father accompanied Mr. Peterson, a surveyor, to Camus Creek to select a homestead. When the site was selected, they hauled lumber sawed by Tom Moore to Rexburg through Wilford then to Camus to begin construction on their home. At first it was a lumber "lean-to", then later to build a more substantial house, Wilford and his brother, LaVell, hauled logs from Bishop Burns Mountain straight east of Camus Meadows. Perhaps it was building this house which developed a lifelong love for building and carpentry in Wilford. In recent years he worked on several building and carpentry projects with his dear friend Orson Smith. Orson and Wilford were always friends but they grew especially close during the depression years of the 1930's while they worked together on civic projects such as building roads and sidewalks in Rexburg under the direction of the WPA sponsored by President F. D. Roosevelt. The fall before Wilford passed on he and his son Berry built a garage and then in the spring a nice tool shed.

While the family was living on their Camus farm Wilford went to work for Woods Livestock Company. The Livestock Co. had a beautiful, but wild and spirited horse. Most men were afraid of this horse and called it a killer but Wilford was spirited too, so he took the challenge and bought and trained the horse to his hand. As he traveled about the girls would admire this handsome young man and his beautiful horse named Rock.

In the spring of 1925, the family sold their farm on Camus Creek and in the fall of 1925 bought their dry farm on Canyon Creek.

But the most important event for Wilford that fall was his marriage on October the 3rd to his sweetheart Cora Smith Berry. Wilford frequently teased Bill and Howard about how he was going to remain a bachelor and never get tied down like them. Then when friends would tease Wilford asking when was he going to get married he always responded "I cannot get married until my sisters Betty and Vera both do because nobody would be there to take them to the dances. Coincidently that's the way it did occur. Vera married in 1922 and Betty married on the 15th of October 1925 just days after Wilford and Cora. Wilford had often taken his horse drawn camper loaded with family and friends out to the Hibbard dances. While there his eyes saw a flashing dark eyed beauty. From that time on there was no one else for him but his beloved Cora and he gladly gave up his life of bachelorhood.

Together they made a very happy home, one always open to friends and family. If you stopped to visit you were always asked to stay for dinner or supper. Cora was so special and made all of Wilford's family feel totally at home with them when they visited. This was indeed a rare quality when you see how some daughters-in-law behave when they come to live with their husband's parents and family. Cora loved and cared for Wilford's parents just like her own. After Wilford's mother was widowed and living downstairs Cora would very frequently either have her upstairs to eat with them or take the meal downstairs to mother Diana. The characteristic of open hospitality was carried on by Wilford after Cora's passing. He always kept "Green Spot" orange punch or fruit punch on hand along with cookies for family and friends visiting.

Wilford and Cora were very happy together and were the parents of four children, three wonderful daughters and one son. Dorothy was born 25 September, 1926 and later married Forest W. Kennington. Charleen was born 7 March 1928 and later married Paul Conover. Maridawn was born 4 April 1930 and she married Kenneth Griffeths. Then on a very special birthday for Wilford in 1932, Cora presented him with a son whom they named Berry Jay. Still later they lost a baby boy.

After working for Woods Livestock Co., Wilford went to work for Allen Seed Co. where he worked for several years as a field supervisor in summer and in the plant in winter. Cora also worked sometime, in the seed plant. Later when his brother Bill was having difficulty getting reliable help, Wilford went to work for him. Wilford was of the opinion that one should be punctual, dependable and give an honest days work for whatever wages were received. Bill knew this about Wilford so he never worried about things being done right, only that Wilford might overwork.

During World War II, Wilford served in the Idaho State Guard. He had always been a good shot but now he learned to become a perfect marksman.

Then later Wilford and Cora spent summers at the Rexburg Boat Club in Island Park where Wilford was caretaker. He took care of everything including keeping away vermin and for that job his excellent marksmanship with a gun frequently came in very handy. While here they made many close friends. Wilford and Cora loved people especially children and children loved them. Wilford's world was his family and friends.  

Because of his love of horses Wilford made sure his son Berry had horses to grow up with. He passed on to his son a love and knowledge of the outdoors both hunting and fishing. Wilford along with being an excellent marksman always took good care of firearms, handling them with reason and caution and maintaining them in good clean working order. Guns under his care and keeping were always ready for immediate use.

After the loss of his beloved Cora in February 1964, Wilford continued to live at his home. He cooked and prepared meals for himself and Berry. Whenever Berry came home from work he knew his meal would be ready.

Wilford never tired of loving children. He was patient with them and knew how to entertain them. Everyone who knew Wilford loved him. Neighbors, now grown, would bring their children to visit Uncle Wilford just so their little "kids" might meet this special man who so loved and understood little children. Children loved to visit him, for instance after the flood on several accessions his nephew Bill's children, instead-of coming home on time from school would slip over to visit with him which continued to the very week of his passing. Wilford's greatest joy was having grand children and great-grand children visiting him. When he knew the little ones were coming he would have toys ready for them to play with He loved holding them, walking them outside, showing them the trains and just generally entertaining them.

We all miss the fun times and pleasant visits we had with Wilford Eckersell. On Thursday, June 9, 1977, he left this earth to be again with his precious sweetheart Cora.