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Esther Ann Catlin 1860 – 1944 Compiled by, Arlene Hepworth
Esther Ann Catlin was born 21 November 1860 to George Washington Catlin and Maria Louisa Sanderson in Fairview, Sanpete County, Utah. Esther was the fifth child in a family of twelve children. Her father, George Washington Catlin marched in the Mormon Battalion. After his marriage to Maria Louise Sanderson George and Maria lived in Bountiful for a while and then moved to Fillmore, Millard County, Utah where the Catlin Family had lived. He then moved to Fairview and surrounding areas.
When Esther Ann was a young girl there were troubles in Sanpete and Millard County known as the “Black Hawk War” which occurred after an Indian was chastised and beaten by some whites for stealing. The Indians in the area became aroused and killed or drove off several hundred head of livestock and caused the death of 30 – 40 settlers. The infantry was sent from Salt Lake City for protection.
We do not know why but George moved his family to Nevada and lived in Clover Wash, Bullionville, and Peoche, in Lincoln County. He was probably working in the silver mines and farming.
Esther met and married Henry Willard Brizzee Jr. on 20 March 1878 in Panaca, Lincoln County, Nevada. They made their home, near Esther Ann’s parents, in Pioche, Lincoln County, Nevada where three children were born: Emily Brizzee born and died 21 February 1879, Lulu Belle Brizzee 15 March 1880, Etta May Brizzee 11 May 1882.
Henry and Esther moved to Grouse Creek, Box Elder County, Utah possibly to be with Henry’s mother, Emily Amanda Rockwell Tyrell, who was a prominent rancher in that area. Four children were born to them while they lived in Grouse Creek: Raymond Henry Brizzee 21 December 1884, Viola Lorana Brizzee 13 August 1886?, Laura Edna Brizzee 1891, Grace Melissa Brizzee 13 June 1893 (perhaps this child was born in Tecoma, Lincoln County, Nevada, while visiting her family there).
In about 1895 Henry went to Arizona with a band of horses to sell. While in Arizona his relatives, (his father and family) persuaded him to stay and settle in Arizona, the country that President Brigham Young had asked Henry Willard Brizzee Sr. to settle. He moved his family to Arizona. Later they moved to Bisbee, Chochis County, Arizona where Henry worked for the Copper Queen Mining Company.
A fire destroyed their home in 1898 and they moved to Lowell, Arizona and lived with a married daughter and husband until land was bought and a new home was built. The new home had five rooms.
A son, Robert Edward Brizzee, was born 31 May 1899 in Bisbee Chochise County, Arizona. Within a few days tragedy again struck this family and their baby, Robert Edward, died on 3 June 1899. Another daughter, Eleanor Alice Brizzee was born 9 April 1901 in Bisbee, Chochise County, Arizona.
In about 1904 Henry and Esther moved back to Grouse Creek, Utah where Henry managed the ranch of Emily Amanda Rockwell Tyrell, who was widowed. He had fields of hay, grain, potatoes and a vegetable garden. After being in Utah for just two years Esther Ann became sick and was advised to return to the warmer climate, so back to Bisbee they went. For a time they returned to Utah in the summer to run the ranch.
Some time later they moved to Superior, Arizona where Henry worked for the Magma Copper Company, working in the capacity of a mine carpenter.
On 1 April 1924 another tragedy struck their home when their daughter Grace Melissa died.
Henry Willard Brizzee Jr. died 20 June 1927 in Superior, Pinal County, Arizona. Esther Ann was now widowed but remained in Superior living around family. She was a member of the Rebekah Lodge. She had a grandson, Willard White, who lived with her for a short time to help her and to be a companion. She rented rooms to help supplement her income. She lived 17 years after Henry’s death. She passed away on 13 November 1944 at the home of her daughter, Viola Dale. She died of a heart attack after three weeks of an illness. She was 83 years old.
This biography was compiled by Arlene Wilcox Helpworth, great grand daughter of Esther Ann Catlin Brizzee. Information was taken from the biography of George Washington Catlin, and from the autobiography of Laura Edna Brizzee White Lee, and from the obituary of Esther Ann Catlin Brizzee.
September 20, 2005
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