Person:Ruth Atkin (1)

LIFE SKETCH OF RUTH EVELYN ATKIN GORDON

Ruth Evelyn was born 16 November 1859 at Tooele City, Utah, the daughter of Thomas Atkin, Jr. and Mary Ann Maughan. Her baptism took place 18 April 1868. She married John Bissett Gordon 10 September 1877. They were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple 11 years later 15 June 1888. She became the mother of nine children, four boys and five daughters: John Ernest, Thomas Maxwell, William Thompson, Mary, Evelyn, Jessie, Peter Maughan, Katie (still born)and Ruth.

Ruth Evelyn was born of goodly parents, was reared and taught the fundamental principles of the Gospel. Her parents were converted in England and crossed the plains in the Orson Spencer's train (prairie schooner), arriving in Salt Lake Valley on the 23 September 1849, locating in the Eleventh Ward. In the Spring of 1851 her father together with his father, Thomas Atkin, moved to Tooele, Utah.

These people had been instilled to the important values of life because of the hardships and the extreme trials and experiences of pioneer life. Their faith and courage, rigid economy and brotherly kindness was passed on to their children as is evidenced in the life of Grandma Ruth Evelyn Gordon. She knew the value of giving place to "first things first" that her family might profit spiritually and materially, eventually comfort, security, and eternal progress were theirs. Through her charitable loving disposition she was highly esteemed. She was therefore known to give freely of her time and talents in counseling and advising others.

Two of her daughters, Mary and Evelyn, wrote concerning their mother: Mother belonged to the first Sunday School organization in Tooele, also the Young Women's Retrenchment Association. She remembers being present at the first meeting of the Young Women's Retrenchment Association held at the home of Sister Meiklejohn. Sister Eliza R. Snow, Zina Young, and a Sister Howard were present. Eliza R. Snow spoke in tongues and Sister Young interpreted it. Grandma Gordon said she would never forget the heavenly influence at this meeting.

Besides the two babies she raised as twins, she had another baby just two years old (Mary) and three rowdy boys in the two room long home.

At the funeral services held for Ruth Evelyn Atkin Gordon, Sunday 6 March 1927, Bishop Peter M. Clegg, who married her sister Edith Atkin, made this impressive statement: "And as death comes to all our homes, it came to mine. I had three children. Sister Gordon had a baby (Evelyn Gordon Isgreen) born near the same time our baby was born. My wife died and Sister Gordon took our baby and raised it as her own for five years, nursed it and cared for it (Edith Clegg Warburton). She gave it the motherly love just as much as her own child and because of these things I say that I should be nearer and better acquainted with her than any other that is not a direct member of the family.

"I knew Sister Gordon to be a real angel mother. She had the most loving disposition, the most agreeable temper of any woman I ever knew. She could extend that love and good will. She had the ability of always seeing the bright lining through the cloud. It didn't matter how dark the times were she could always look on the bright side and say that it might have been worse."

The Fall, following the birth of Evelyn and Edith, larger quarters were provided and coupled with hard work and the ability to plan wisely and frugally, they were able to manage. As with most mothers, no sacrifice was too great for her children. As many have said, her charitable disposition prompted her to always do acts of kindness for the poor and lonely.

Her early married life was overflowing with concern and service to her family but later on she became a Relief Society teacher until she was chosen as first counselor in Relief Society. She serviced in this capacity for nine years, then when Sister McBride resigned she was asked to take the responsibility of president. Due to failing health she declined.

She was afflicted with erysipelas and other serious complications, suffering great pain and anguish of soul. She was greatly blessed and comforted through administration by the Priesthood. Being relieved of pain and suffering of both body and soul she there testified of the Lord's goodness. She was bed-ridden for quite an extended period of time. Her daughter Ruth devotedly cared for her mother as Grandma became unable to comb her hair or feed herself. My sister, Bessie Ann Gordon Lewis, recalls assisting at this time with the many tasks association with caring for the sick.

She died 3 March 1927 (my brithday) at Tooele, Utah, and is buried in the Tooele City Cemetery.

---Submitted by Elaine C. Gordon Barrus