Written by Hannah Deschamps, his wife 

November 30, 1952 

Written that my children may remember him— 

Francis Mitchell Deschamps was the son of Ann Stephens and Louis Deschamps born at St. John, near Malad March 2, 1879.  He was the 8th child of a family of 11 children.  When he was but 6 days old diphtheria invaded the home and two of the other children, Louis Francis, age 8, and Thomas Victor, age 2 years succumbed to the disease, while the mother was still in bed.  This she said was a trying time but she scarcely knew she had a baby.  He was no trouble whatever. 

His childhood was much the same as other children at that time.  The first time I ever saw him was when he was about 14.  He and his brother John came to the Malad Stake Academy in the north end of the Old Stake Tabernacle, on the south end of the block where I now live.  When we  looked at each other over the drum of the old heater in the center of the floor, it was love at first sight.  As we grew older, while each of us went with other boys and girls, there was some attraction that we held for each other that grew stronger until we finally began a courtship that lasted for 5 years and finally ended in a happy marriage that took place October 10, 1900 in the Salt lake City Temple which marriage binds us for time and all eternity which will never be changed except by some conduct of mine contrary to the marriage laws. 

During our courtship days I lived on a farm some five miles from Malad in the summertime.  This was a long ride for him to make on horseback, as cars were unheard of at that time , but he always made the trip.  Occasionally I would have a girlfriend visit me then his boy friend and he would come to see us in a cart and that was such fun.  We would all go for a cart ride. 

On my 16th birthday a number of friends came to celebrate and while I had a turn on the swing some of the boys dared him to kiss me.  He took up the dare and suddenly held the swing until he kissed me.  My, was my face red, but never more could they say “sweet sixteen and never been kissed”.  From that time forth I knew he was by best beau. 

During the five years of our courtship we never had a minutes trouble or doubt until my nearest girl friend caused trouble between us.  She declared he was the only boy she had ever loved and said many unkind things which caused a rift between us that lasted one month.  We finally made up in a dance and found our difficulties were all falsehoods.  After that our love was so strong that we were married soon and had such a wonderful life or happiness for a few short years. 

One year after our marriage, Francis was the happiest man in the world. Our first boy, a pretty little blond, was born whom we named after him.  Two years later another son was born on Christmas Day.  Our happiness was just as great and Benjamin Louis, whom we named for both grandfathers, was also a beautiful Christmas baby with brown hair and eyes. 

About two weeks later Francis met with an unfortunate accident while splitting a block of wood for kindling.  The block slipped and the axe came down on his left thumb, severing it at the first joint.  This was put back in place, the cords tied and treated in hopes it would grow together again but after treating it for six weeks it was removed at the joint as it had not grown together again.  This however never prevented him from doing any work other men could do. 

Two days after Thanksgiving day two years later another son graced our home and we thought our joy was complete.  He was also a beautiful child with dark brown hair and large brown eyes.  We called him Thurman Lester.  My health was very poor from my early girlhood and Francis was so very kind and helpful and would take over the housework whenever I was disposed and did it cheerfully. 

On January 27, 1908 two years later a fourth son, Milton arrived but nearly cost me my life.  For three days and nights of agony he came to bring another joy to our home.  He, like Mitchell, was a blond and a very pretty boy.  While his father thought he should have been a girl, yet, he swelled with pride and said he would soon have his share of the baseball nine.  His sister Josephine had six boys and they kidded each other as to which would have their nine first but he was fooled on that score when two and one half years later our little girl blessed our happy home, named Adina after my sister younger than I who I missed so much when she died. 

When we were first married, things were far different than now.  We first made our home in the east wing of the store that his parents kept.  Our cupboard was one his father had made, and an old homemade table my mother had used when she was first married and was very crude.  His mother gave us a dresser and a few chairs and a used iron bed.  We had bare floors and curtains I made from crepe paper however we thought it was a palace for it was our own home. 

The second year we moved down to his mothers old home where we had four rooms though we only used three.  By this time we were able to replace our first furniture with something more up to date yet very modest.  I was able to carpet one half of the floor with homemade carpet and scrubbed the balance.  We certainly enjoyed our home and children and were a happy family. 

After the death of Francis’ father ( which was very similar to his own later on) and his mother years later, their home was left to his sisters Rachel and Nellie.  They were both married and sold the place to us.  We moved into the house in June and with new carpets and some new linoleum we felt we were in a palace which in the summer was a lovely house.  The day we moved in, Francis was bringing a dead tree for kindling wood when he was hit with a limb which broke his arm that caused much pain and hindered him until it healed up again. 

The greatest sorrow I have ever known came to me and my five little children when Francis met a tragic death on December 28, 1910.  We had been to a dance and basketball game the night before and the next morning he said before leaving the house, “ We had such a good time last night let’s go again tonight to the Relief Society dance.  We can take the kiddies to your mothers and leave them there while we go to the dance.”  I argued that it would be foolish to take the children out two nights in succession but he was so anxious to go that I partly promised to go.  He left the  house at about 12 o’clock accompanied by my brother Dick who was working for us to take two loads of wheat to the depot, but about 2:30 his sister Mary Ann came to me cry8ing saying he had been hurt, I hurriedly threw on my coat and leaving the children with her rushed out to a buggy that was waiting and hurried to be near him.  When we reached mothers place they had just carried him in.  The only words he could say was that he wanted my forgiveness; he couldn’t help it.  He had taken his load of wheat on the platform of the new elevator but when his wagon hit the platform it loosened the sack he was sitting on and fell under the wagon and the frightened horses drew the wagon load over him breaking his back and hips.  He was dead by 3 o’clock and my sorrow knew no bounds, death for me then would have been very welcome, but a host of friends and relatives offered me consolation and comforting words and ‘twas then I realized the true value of friends which I have tried to retain by doing the same for them in their hours of sorrow.  I have found that plenty of hard work is one of the best cures for loneliness with faith in God and by trying to do what God has told us that His yoke is easy and His burden is light when we put our trust in him.  My sorrow was not ended for the following April, my little girl had peritonitis that was caused by my milk becoming poisoned through shock, she passed away while Mitchell was in the hospital with ruptured appendicitis.  Later Thurman died leaving me with only three of our  five children. 

Francis was a good singer and took an active part in the community.  A month or two after we were married he was placed as Superintendent of the St. John Sunday School and for several years ( from 1901 to 1908) held that office.  He was chosen for a bishop’s counselor March 23, 1908 to Bishop Hyrum Monson which position he held with dignity and honor until he died.   

Francis sang this song the morning before he died.  I asked him why he sang it and he said “ I don’t know, only it’s been running through my mind”  I found the song in his coat pocket along with one of his readings he used to sing.  “The Potato Bug” .  Part of the song runs: 

The Cold Chilly winds of December 

Stole my flower, my companion from me. 

The flowers that I saw in the wildwood 

Have since dropped their beautiful leaves, 

And the many dear friends of my childhood 

Have slumbered for years in their graves 

The bloom of the flowers I remember 

And the smiles I shall never more see 

For the cold chilly winds of December 

Stole my flower, my companion from me. 

Aw how sad is the world and how dreary 

When we part from the ones that we love; 

But there’s comfort for the faint and the weary 

And friends meet the lost ones above 

And in heaven I can but remember 

When from earth this poor soul shall flee 

That no cold chilly winds of December 

Can part my companion from me. 

He was a moral young man, had no bad habits, he never drank intoxicants or used tobacco and never used profanity and was generous to a fault.  An ideal husband and father. My greatest desire in life is that when I am called home that our family circle will never be broken, that the marriage vows we have made will continue, that our family circle will be enlarged by the addition of wives and children of my sons, that our joy will be complete.   

To my sons:  I have written these memories for my children for this reason.  You were all so young and time erases many things from your minds.  I was always working and had little time to bring them to your recollection so now I want you to know some of the good things about your father and plead with you to emulate his wonderful example and remember your early teachings.  

This life is short and eternity is forever so I want you to study and pay heed to the scriptures for they will show you the way to Eternal Life.  

With all my heart I pray for your eternal happiness that our family relationship may live on forever.  

Your loving mother 

Resignation 

Written by Hannah Deschamps 

December 10, 1952 

Yes–I’m alone; nearly forty-two years; 

Since last I felt your good-night kiss. 

Friends said it wouldn’t be long; 

I never dreamed ‘twould be like this. 

Five little children spurred me on 

Yes I must live for them, 

They must be fed, and clothed, and taught,  

To be honorable children -when- 

God took two more of our little flock, 

To join you up above; 

‘Twas sad to part, but then I knew 

You needed someone to love. 

Now I’m alone the other birds have flown 

Have built their nests 

And have such love 

As you and I have know. 

One place is set by the table, 

By the fireside only one chair; 

Yet I feel you’re by my side, 

When I offer my evening prayer. 

And though I cannot see you,  

In my dreams you come and go, 

And I’ll still be loyal to you 

Because I love you so.