George Moroni Spilsbury

George Moroni Spilsbury 1852-1939

George M. Spilsbury, one of the most prominent stock raisers in Dixie, making his home at Toquerville, Utah, was born in Salt Lake City, October 30, 1852 his parents being George and Fanny (Smith) Spilsbury, who were natives of England. The father came to Utah in 1850 settling in Salt Lake City. He was a mason and builder and in 1857 he removed to Draper, where he filled the position of postmaster. In 1862 he came to Dixie, settling at Grafton, but was driven out by the Indians and in 1866 removed to Rockville. In 1868 he settled permanently at Toquerville and through the intervening period to the time of his death engaged in the mason contracting business. Monuments to his skill and ability are seen in fine structures from Ogden on the north to Pipe Springs on the south. He was the builder of the Cannon ranch house and many other important buildings which made him a leading business man of the district. He served as justice of the peace and he also acted as representative from Kane and Washington counties in the territorial legislature. He likewise held various offices in the church and was counselor to the bishop, but his chief activity was in the Sunday school, where he labored for more than half century, visiting all of the Sunday schools south of Manti. He continued with Sunday school union board of St. George stake until he was ninety-five years of age but was officially released at the age of ninety, when a big demonstration of the entire district was held in his honor. He was born April 21, 1823, and passed away January 25, 1919, while the mother of George M. Spilsbury died in the 5th of June, 1903.After attending the public schools George M. Spilsbury continued his education at Grafton, Rockville and Toquerville. His first schooling was received under Dr. Park at Draper, which was the first teaching that Dr. Park did in this state. In young manhood Mr. Spilsbury took up the business of farming and fruit raising. He was one of the first Mormon boys to peddle fruit and produce in Pioche, Nevada. The money thus earned was used in purchasing calves and this constituted his start in the live stock business. Gradually he has developed his interests along this line until today he and his sons have one of the largest stock raising enterprises in Dixie, handling cattle, sheep and horses. Their herds and flocks are now extensive, and the success which they have achieved places them among the most prominent stock raisers of southern Utah. In addition to his other interests Mr. Spilsbury is a stock holder in the CedarSheep Association, in the Cedar Mercantile Live Stock Company, is president of the Southern Utah Packing Company, a stockholder in the Hurricane Bank and president of the Toquerville Irrigation Company. His activities thus cover a wide scope. Opportunities which others have passed heedlessly by he has recognized and utilized, and his energy and enterprise have enabled him to overcome all difficulties and obstacles in his path. He deserves great credit for what he has accomplished, and his purposes have been at all times honorable and resultant.At Toquerville, on the 1st of January, 1874, Mr. Spilsbury was married to Miss Roselia J. Haight, a daughter of Isaac C. and Eliza Ann (Price) Haight. In September, 1847, her father came to Utah, settling in Salt Lake City, and in 1853 went to Cedar City to install a plant for iron manufacturing, being one of the employees of Parley P. Pratt, who explored all southern Utah in 1849-50. Mr. Haight settled in Toquerville in 1861 but retained his interests in Cedar City, where he was actively connected with farming and stock raising. He filled a mission to England and returned in 1853 and upon his return home he bought all the wagons, cattle and supplies for a company of emigrants who were desirous of crossing the plains and acted as captain of the company. In 1854 he was elected mayor of Cedar City, was also a member of the territorial legislature when Fillmore was the capital of Utah and later served in the legislature at Salt Lake City following the removal of the capital to that point. He died September 8, 1886, while the mother, Mrs. Eliza Ann Haight, survived until 1911. To Mr. & Mrs. Spilsbury have been born the following named, all natives of Toquerville. Isabella, born December 1, 1874, is the wife of Sam Christensen of Salt Lake City, has five children. George Chauncy, born September 10, 1876, married Dorothy Gregory of New York, and lives at Mesa, Arizona. Georgiana born October 12, 1878, is the wife of Dr. A.N. Leonard of Salt Lake City and has three children. Archie P., born January 10, 1882, married Maud McArthur of Mount Pleasant, and they have four children and live at Cedar City, Utah. Frankie E., born February 17, 1884, is the wife of Dr. Franklin S. Harris of Logan, Utah, and has five children. Raymond, an engineer of South America, was born October 9, 1888, and Erwin R., October 28, 1901. The other children of the family, Arthur, Florence, Vivian, Myrtle and Victor R., have all passed away. The mother, Mrs. Roselia J. Spilsbury, was telegraph operator at St. George and managed the office at Pine Valley, Rockville, Kanab and Toquerville covering a period of five years. The children were all given good education opportunities and the sons have been associated with the father in his prominent stock raising activities.The religious faith of the family is that of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and Mr. Spilsbury was first counselor to the president of the Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Association. His wife served as president of the Relief Society of Toquerville for eighteen years. Their son George Chauncy filled a five years’ mission to Samoa and assisted in translating the Book of Mormon. Archie P. filled a mission of twenty-nine months to the central states and served as bishop of Toquerville for several years. Georgiana filled a mission to the western states laboring in Colorado. Mr. Spilsbury votes with the Democratic Party and has served as county sheriff of Kane County, while for a number of years he has been school trustee. He is truly a self-made man and one who deserves great credit for what he has accomplished. As a boy selling fruit and produce on the streets of Pioche, Nevada, he made his start in life and from that point has worked his way steadily upward, progressing step by step until he has reached the plane of affluence.

Noble Warrum, Utah Since Statehood, 4:721