(Separate headshot photograph of a man and a woman)

John Catmull, son of John Bradley Catmull and Susan Arbon, was born September 23, 1863, at Graveley, Cambridgeshire, England. His early youth was spent in England, during which time his parents accepted the Gospel and were baptized as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. At their request, John was also baptized, this being done March 20, 1877 by Elder William King. He was confirmed the same day by either Elder Ball or Elder G. Barber. 

Soon after conversion to the Gospel, John’s parents decided to come to Zion (Utah). John and his parents, together with the remainder of the family, sailed from Graveley, Cambridgeshire, England in June 1880 on the U.S.S. Wisconsin, arriving safely in the United States of America. John at this time was nearing his 15th milestone in life.

Early in July 1880, the family arrived in Utah, establishing a home in the District of the Logan 2nd Ward at Logan, Cache County, Utah. The family lived here for about three years, and then moved to Benson, a small settlement about 6 miles northwest of Logan. About this same time, John became acquainted with Mary Ann Evans, whom he had met at Eagle Rock (later Idaho Falls). She had migrated to Utah with her parents, soon after conversion to the Gospel. The couple kept company together for a time, and were married October 14, 1885 at the temple in Logan, Cache County, Utah. Previous to the marriage, John had been ordained an Elder, which was the only active part he took in the Church. The remainder of his life was spent in an active spirit of indifference to the work of the Lord.

During the year of 1885, John secured a position with the Utah Northern Railroad, where he worked for two years as a Section laborer on the Maintenance-of-way. This was at Eagle Rock, where the railroad shops were located. From 1887 to 1889 he worked in the railroad shops at Idaho Falls, which previously had been the town of Eagle Rock. The family lived here at this time.

During the winter of 1888-89 the family moved to Benson, Cache County, Utah, where the second son was born. When this son was about two months old, the family moved back to Idaho Falls, where John secured a position for the city, where he worked until 1895. In 1895 he homesteaded on a 160 acre tract of land in the New Sweden district, nine miles southwest of Idaho Falls. Due to the loss of his team, he failed to prove his homestead after a period of two years, and the homestead was contested by Mr. Ralph Edmonds of Idaho Falls.

Having failed in his homestead, John secured employment by the day, working any place he could find a job. This lasted until 1899. During this same time, he farmed on Poole Island, a large island of about 2000 acres located in Snake River about twenty miles from Idaho Falls. Due to the lack of a bridge, the island was reached by fording the river. After two years of crop failure, caused by grasshoppers, the family was compelled to move again, this time to Rexburg, Idaho in 1898. After one year there, they moved back to Idaho Falls in 1899, buying a home at Park Avenue and G Street. Here the father labored for the city. From 1900 to 1901 he worked for the county at various times. In 1901 he borrowed $150.00 from Ralph Edmonds and went to Alberta Province, Canada, during a time of great prosperity, to investigate the possibility of making a home, but he wasn’t satisfied, so he returned to Idaho Falls. From the time of his return from Canada in 1901 to 1905 he worked at rather steady employment as a rock contractor, getting rock to build the Sugar Factory. From 1906 to the spring of 1908, he worked for the county and city at $75.00 per month as watermaster.

In March 1908, the family sold their home for $1000 to a doctor and his wife. This was during the panic of 1907 when no cash was available at the banks, the medium of exchange being in the form of script. From Idaho Falls the family went to Fruitland, Idaho, where they lived for a period of three years. While living here on an acreage of two acres, they grew berries and other types of truck gardening as a commercial crop, the sale of which their living was dependent upon. The lack of a LDS church at this place necessitated moving again to save the mother’s health.

They traded their acreage at Fruitland for a forty-acre farm at Wendell, Idaho, with an additional $300 cash difference to J. O. Scritchfield. The family moved to Wendell by railroad, in March 1911. Here they operated a forty-acre farm and in addition, operated a 240-acre farm which was rented from J. M. Risby. The family lived here for nearly three years when the younger generation started planning a marital adventure.

The oldest living son decided to go to Rupert to find his companion, and as the daughter had been married some months before and the youngest son had left home. Grandfather decided to sell out. In accordance with this decision the farm and its equipment was sold for $5500 cash, and the family moved to Rupert, Minidoka County, Idaho, on November 13, 1913.

While here, the oldest son got married, and the youngest son joined the American Expeditionary Forces for services across the waters, in France. It was about this time that the United States of America was implicated in the World War. Grandfather was then left alone, and  in April, 1918, he married Mrs. Mary Barton, a widow. After a time they separated and Grandfather returned to Rupert in the fall of 1925 where he remained until 1934. He was a member of the Rupert 1st Ward, living at 706 C. Street. While living there, he worked for the city of Rupert as a caretaker of the city park, for $75.00 per month. This position lasted until October 10, 1930, when he was injured by a city truck. The injury proved damaging to his health, which he never thoroughly regained.

Grandfather left Rupert on February 9, 1934, going to Blackfoot, Bingham County, Idaho, where he lived until his death, which occurred Friday morning 21 May 1937, caused by complications incident to age. He suffered a paralytic stroke earlier in the winter, and for the last six months of his life, he was confined to his bed, being unable to use his limbs.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, May 25, 1937, in the chapel of the Payne Mortuary at Burley, Cassia County, Idaho, with Bishop J. Dean Schofield of the Rupert 1st Ward, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, officiating. A mixed quartet consisting of Brother and Sister Arthur Humphries, and Brother and Sister Harvey Johnson, accompanied by Sister Zella Humphries, sang “Lead Kindly Light.” Invocation was given by Elder Leonard P. Allen. The mixed quartet then sang”I Need Thee Every Hour.” Elder Louis R. Humphries (an old acquaintance and family friend) was the first speaker with “Wealth” as his subject. He compared spiritual wealth with temporal wealth. Sister Joseph P. Payne, accompanied by Sister Zella Humphries, sang a solo entitled “Teach Me To Pray.” Brother Joseph P. Payne was the concluding speaker with “Life’s Pictures” as his subject. He cited several incidents in the life of John Catmull, and painted them into word pictures of life. The closing song, entitled “The Beautiful Land,” was sung by the mixed quartette. Benediction was offered by Brother Herman Johnson, after which retirement was made to the cemetery. Interment was held in the cemetery at Rupert, Minidoka County, Idaho under the direction of the Payne Mortuary. The grave was dedicated by Bishop Isaac J. Larsen of the Acequia Ward, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

Flower girls consisted of John Catmull’s granddaughters. Pall bearers were chosen from the congregation.

By John P. Catmull

1193 So. 4th E.

Salt Lake City, Utah

June 1971