By His Sister – Chloe Nelson 

My recollection of my brother, Orson Hancock, fifth child of Joseph Hyrum Hancock and Mary Annah Glover Hancock. He was born in Mendon, Cache County, Utah, February 14, 1882. A lovely Valentine gift for his parents, two brothers and two sisters at that time. Another boy and girl were born later on. I suppose he grew up and did the same things as we all did in that little town of Mendon, in northern Utah. About one hundred population – everyone knowing each other, like one big family. He attended the two room elementary school house. Two teachers taught the higher and lower grades. He was brought up in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – the church being the center of all spiritual activities and the main source of entertainment for children and adults.  

Orson had many good friends, both boys and girls and probably followed the same pattern of life as all the young people in that little town – school, Church, dancing, games, sleigh rides, parties etc. I can not say much about his young life. He married a lovely L.D.S. girl, Maude Gardner. The Gardner family was some of the first settlers in Mendon, a wonderful family. 

The railroad between Salt Lake and Logan ran through the little town. It provided work for a number of Mendon people and Orson was one of them. He spent many years of his life with his family at various places as Section Foreman. It was those later years that I remember him best. He would come to visit our home in Salt Lake City after father bought some property off State Street in Salt Lake and had a nice little brick house there. I was just a young girl and had many friends, boys and girls, in Mendon. Both mother and I were reluctant to move away. 

Orson was always very attentive to us and visited us whenever possible even after our Father died. He was mindful of Mother and very good to her. 

He and Maude were a happily married couple and most always went everywhere together. They loved their family very much. Mabel, Helen (a beautiful little girl who died when she was six years old) –I remember my friend Marie and I went from Salt Lake City to Malad, Idaho to attend the funeral – took a bouquet of beautiful pink and white sweet peas for the little grave. Maxine, Hazel and Donald also blessed their home. 

One of our favorite couples from Mendon, both cousins, and friends lived near us in Salt Lake. Andrew Cooley and Minnie Cooley visited often. It was always a treat for all of us when we were all enjoying these visits together, as we were so fond of each other and had known each other all our lives.