Hannah Schofield Cowling Hepworth

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Whenever needed, she helped the members of her family. She helped bring over 40 grandchildren into this world and helped Lydia with the birth of some of her children. When George's first wife, Camera, died, she did what she could to help. The following are some choice phrases written by Miss Lilly Field about Hannah.

"…I told Mr. Jensen, I'd like a boarding place to read, write and prepare work in quiet after the busy days in the school room. He told me there was only one place in Grover where there were no children and that was the home of Mrs. Hannah Hepworth, whose youngest son, Edgar, had gone on a mission. Mrs. Hepworth was from Wakefield, Yorkshire, England and had seen Queen Victoria. She honored her Queen. I think she gave me room and board for $10.00 per month. The wages there for primary teachers was $45.00 per month then… Each term when I went back to teach, kind Mrs. Hepworth would try and have something new for my little room; a new cushion for my chair, or a new curtain for the one window in it. Always an act of kindness she tried to do. These acts through the years have endeared the doer of them to countless numbers.

The cottage was small, a log one; but oh, the kindly welcome I received from this loveable lady. She was seventy years old, short and fleshy, so pleasant and nice. I thought, "My! How old she was!" Her daughter-in-law, Mary, lived with her. Mary told me she and Edgar were married only five days when he went away on his mission to San Francisco, California. That was something I'd not heard of before. What a strange way for a young bride to be left behind. Mary was an unusually bright girl and we became great friends…

When dear Aunt Hannah needed drinking water she'd take a small lard bucket and say, "I'll get water at Rich Astle's spout." I'd laugh and beg her to let me bring the water for her. She would be out of breath when she got to the house."

In the spring of 1906, Miss Lilly Field left Grover and that left Hannah alone. In the fall of 1906 Edgar and Mary stayed with Hannah for the winter. Edgar was the postmaster at that time.

In the summer of 1907, Hannah went to live with Edgar and Mary who had bought them a home of their own from Rich Astle. This home was located on the lot where Gus Larsen now lives. She lived with Edgar until about 1915. At this time she moved into John's old home which the family fixed up for her. She lived here until her death in 1918. John and Caroline lived in a new home just south of Hannah.

In 1912, Edmund and Hannah celebrated their Golden Wedding. This celebration was held at the remodeled double-roomed cabin on the mill lot. A dinner was served to all those present. There were some friends and relatives from Idaho and Utah present. One of the grandchildren, Ezra Hepworth, got lost and couldn't be found anywhere. He was finally found behind the organ fast asleep.

Edmund died in 1915 and left 70 acres of land and four cows for Hannah. This helped to keep her. That Christmas each family member donated some money and bought Hannah a new rocking chair. This was her very first piece of new furniture. The next year she bought herself a new plush coat from the earnings of her cows.

At the age of almost 84 years on January 6, 1918, Hannah passed peacefully away in her sleep fulfilling the promise of her Patriarchal Blessing which stated she would never taste death.

The following is Hannah's obituary:

After an illness of about two months, of a complication of diseases resulting from old age, Hannah Hepworth, wife of the late Edmund Hepworth, passed away peacefully to the great beyond Sunday morning, January 6th 1918, surrounded by loved ones, at the home of her son John E. Hepworth in Grover.

Grandma Hepworth, as she was lovingly called by all, was born in Tong, Yorkshire, England, April 2, 1834, and at the time of her death was in her 84th year. She in company with her husband, set sail from her native home May 30, 1863, enduring the perils and hardships incidental to sailing vessel voyages, and arriving in New York July 19th …arriving at Salt Lake October 15th of the same year. After residing in Utah and Idaho for a number of years, from thence they came to Star Valley in 1888 where she has since remained until her death.

In the passing of this noble woman, Star Valley has lost one if its original pioneers, and a most honored and beloved citizen. Through her entire life she was always patient, cheerful and most lovable, and her wise counsels will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Her mission in life seemed to be one of peace on earth, good will to man. She was a faithful and consistent Latter-day Saint always, and filled honorable positions of trust and responsibility in the religious cause she represented.

Besides a host of friends to miss her, and cherish her memory the following children survive her: Joseph Hepworth, of Blackfoot, Idaho, William Hepworth and Eliza Jensen of Metropolis, Nevada, and Loretta Astle, David E., John E. and George W. Hepworth of Grover, Wyoming.

Edmund and Hannah Hepworth Family Back Row: William Henry, Lauretta, George William, Hannah Eliza, John Edmund Front Row: David Edgar, Edmund, Hannah Schofield Cowling, Joseph Edmund

Beautiful and impressive funeral services were held in Grover meeting house, Wednesday p.m. the speakers being A. P. Welchman, Lars J. Hailing, Louis C. Jensen, A. C. McCombs, O. P. Peterson, E. M. Thurman, John Astle and Bishop Ray S.Thurman. A solo was also sung by Mrs. Charles S. Thurman. Interment was made at the Grover cemetery, the grave being dedicated by J. F. Astle.

The entire community joins with the family in feeling the loss of this worthy and esteemed woman.

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