Thomas Braby ~ Mayor of the Month March 2011

Thomas Braby was born in Sussex England, January 10, 1884, a son of Edward and Ann Braby.  The family consisting of the parents and 10 children came to Utah in 1875, after joining the L.D.S. Church in England.

In September 1879, Mr. Braby came to Mt. Pleasant and was employed by L.J. Jordan and John H. Seely, prominent wool growers for 11 years, after which he engaged in business for himself.

He married Eliza Keddington of Salt Lake City on September 21, 1887, and they were the parents of seven children.  Mrs. Braby died February 22, 1927 and on June 18, 1931 Mr. Braby married Annie C. Jensen of Mt. Pleasant.

During his youth when Mr. Braby worked as a sheepherder, he acquired his education with "Gaskell's Compendium of Forms", which was practically his sole teacher.

In 1894, Caleb West, Utah's last territorial governor, commissioned Mr. Braby as Captain of Company C (later Company D); Utah National Guard, which rank he held for 14 years.  During our trouble with Mexico, preceding the World War, Mr. Braby was made Major of Ordinance, and was stationed at Fort Douglas on the staff of General W.G. Williams.  He was a member of the Utah State Shooting Team which competed at Camp Perry, Ohio in 1910-1911.

He was assistant postmaster for three terms, prior to serving 16 years as Postmaster from 1899 to 1915; and later served two terms as Mayor of Mt. Pleasant.  Previously, he had been on the city council committee of three which supervised construction of the municipal water system.  He also served four years as city marshal.

He was active in the L.D.S. Church, as president and later as secretary of the North Ward Elders Quorum.  He was also active in fraternal organizations.  He also served many years as secretary-treasurer of the Pleasant Creek Irrigation Company.

His children were Ann B. Syndergaard and Ada B. Kofoed who lived in Salt Lake City; Edward Braby of Columbia; Orson Braby of California and Mt. Pleasant, and Nellie B. Coates of Mt. Pleasant.  One son, Ralph R. Braby was one of 11 members of the 145th Field Artillery who were drowned at San Diego, California in May of 1918, when a rip tide engulfed them while bathing.  His other two sons were both veterans of World War I.

Daniel Rasmussen ~ Mayor of the Month ~ February 2011

James W. Anderson ~ Mayor of the Month ~ January 2011

Our Mayor book at the Mt. Pleasant Relic Home had the picture of James W. Anderson, but no information.  This has been a collaborative effort to obtain information and document his history.  What an exceptional man he was.   A big thankyou to Lee R. Christensen and Kaye Watson.

 James W. Anderson was born in Fairview, Sanpete County Februrary 28, 1875, the son of Archibald and Caroline Johnson Anderson. He married Amelia Allred April 2, 1897 in the Manti LDS Temple. His wife Amelia was the daughter of James A Allred and Mary Ann Pollard. That same year he left for a two year mission to the southern states.


A teacher in Utah elementary and high schools for more than 46 years Mr. Anderson received his early teaching experience in Spring City, Sanpete County and later went to Mt. Pleasant to be Supt. of Sanpete County Schools. He served as principal of Salt Lake City summer school for 8 years. He had charge of West High Night School for 8 years.

He taught school in Spring City when the large elementary opened.  In 1900 he was also a teacher of Spring City Religion Classes which was the forerunner of Seminary.  He was the ward clerk of Spring City 1907-1908.


Mr. Anderson also served as juvenile judge of Sanpete and Sevier Counties for two terms and had been first counselor in North Sanpete L.D.S. Stake Presidency. A resident of Salt Lake from 1923. He was active in Grant L.D.S. Stake High Council and later in 11th L.D.S. Ward activities.



His children:


Beulah Amelia    born 13 Jan    198?      died 1971

James Clair        born      May  1900 

Vernon H.          born               1903     died 1964

Allen Boyd         born  17 July  1905      died 1964

Alma Owen        born               1909     died 1987

Eva Maurine       born               1913

Mary Marjorie    born               1918



James and his wife, Amelia are buried in the City Cemetery, Salt Lake City, Utah



The above information was researched and shared by Kaye Watson of Spring City.




"1912-13. Mayor, James W. Anderson; Recorder, Daniel Rasmus­sen; Treasurer, Mrs. Elizabeth Larsen; Councilors, H. Leroy Neilson, A. E. Mcintosh, Justus B. Seely, George C. Sorensen, A. Merz, Lauritz Larsen"

"While James W. Anderson was mayor, the electric light plant became an accomplished fact. A bond of $38,000.00, was voted"

Comment from Lee R. Christensen:

Kathy: Some clues for others to build on so that Mayor Anderson is better known:

From the Mt Pleasant census record 1920 and LDS Ancestral File
James William Anderson, born Fairview 1875, married Amelia Allred (Sp Cty), died 1945. children Vernon, Boyd, Owen Maurine and Mary and Beulah (from 1910 census) is shown as teacher both census.

Is shown as Sup of Schools in the news clip of the Hamilton school tragedy . Beulan is one of the poets shown. I do not find the family 1930 census Mt Pleasant. I"ll keep looking,  lee

photo courtesy of BYU ~ George Edward Anderson Collection

James Monsen ~ Mayor of the Month ~ December 2010 ~ He Served from 1905 to 1909

The Sanpete Stake of Zion, which included Sanpete County, was in 1900 divided into two sections, the North and the South, all north of Ephraim to belong to the North Sanpete Stake, and all south, including Ephraim, to the South Sanpete Stake. C. N. Lund, of Mount Pleasant, was appointed president of the north section. On the same date, December 9, 1900, Mt. Pleasant was divided into two wards, the North and the South. Lars P. Madsen was made Bishop, with Thomas West and Joseph Seeley as counselors of the North ward, and James Larsen, Bishop, with Christian Johansen and James Monsen as counselors of the South ward. The first ward schoolhouse, which was built in 1875, was then razed to give way for the South ward chapel. The new building, which was begun at once, was dedicated in 1908.  Mt. Pleasant History Hilda Madsen Longsdorf  p 181

In 1901, the Mt. Pleasant Commercial Bank erected their building on the north side of Main Street between Second and Third West.

The mountains east of the city had in the past produced a great deal of lumber, and about this time and later, a number of mills were operated, among these later lumber dealers from time to time were: E. L. Durphy, Lauritz and Peter A. Larsen, John H. Seeley and James Monsen. Large forest fires were often seen in the mountains. HML p 182

During the year (1908), the Progress Mercantile Company, which became very prominent in the business world, was incorporated with James Larsen, president; F. C. Jensen, vice president; H. C. Jacobs, secretary-treasurer; S. E. Jensen, James Monsen, Andrew Larsen, John Strom and Andrew Swenson, directors. Their place of busi­ness was established in the Equitable building, formerly occupied by the Aldrich Brothers.  Mt. Pleasant History Hilda Madsen Longsdorf p 183.

Fiftieth Anniversary Celebrated

Early in February 1909, there was called a mass meeting by Mayor James Monsen, for the purpose of deciding the advisability of a celebration sometime during the year, honoring the fiftieth anniversary of the settling of Mt. Pleasant.




It was decided at this meeting to hold a three day celebration beginning on the 5th day of July.




At this time, Andrew Madsen stated he thought it would be appropriate if steps could be taken towards the erection of a suitable monument in honor of the Pioneers. The city officials felt that owing to financial conditions they were not able to officially take any steps in that direction. Madsen then began to take the matter up personally, having full confidence that if proper steps were taken, the descendants would join in a movement whereby something could be erected, giving honor and credit, not only to the pioneers, but to the descendants as well, and to all of the people of our city. He then called upon Bishops Daniel Rasmussen, James Larsen and Mayor Monsen.



A conference was held, after a few minutes discussion, they were united and agreed upon calling a mass meeting on the 17th day of February, 1909. At this meeting, Daniel Rasmussen was elected chairman and Joseph Seely secretary. The plan was pre¬sented to erect in some suitable place, a large monument in honor of the Pioneers. After a few minutes discussion, this was unanimously agreed upon.



Two committees were appointed. One, Ferdinand Ericksen. E. C. Johnson, James Larsen, James Monsen, and Andrew Madsen, to select the character of monument to be erected, and a like com-mittee, consisting of five members, Daniel Rasmussen, Joseph Seely, James Borg, C. W. Anderson and Joseph Monsen, were to devise ways and means by which to raise the necessary funds for the erection of a suitable memorial.



February 27th, another meeting was called and the two com-mittees were consolidated. The committees worked earnestly and it was only by stick-to-it-tive-ness and constant efforts with renewed vigor that they were able to make such rapid advancement.



The census of the descendants were taken and an assessment of $35.00 to the family was made. Any male in Mt. Pleasant over ten years of age in 1859, was eligible to have his name on the monument. Some responded promptly, while some were lax. Madsen made a trip to Carbon County, meeting with a number of the descendents at Price and Wellington, who, after receiving full explanation of the progress and intentions of the committee, did not hesitate and at once contributed their portion. In March, a mass meeting was held to prepare for the celebration. The city appointed the following committee chairmen: James Monsen

general chairman; C. N. Lund, program; Daniel Rasmussen,  decoration; W. D. Candland, finance; Ferdinand Ericksen, amusement; Joseph Seely, entertainment; and also made an appropriation of $200.00.







The work was completed in due time and a beautiful monument, which is composed of white bronze metal was erected on the northwest corner of the Church Block, intersecting Main and State Streets. It stands upon a cement foundation, ten feet square, and is surmounted by six foot figure representing "Faith" typifying the devotion and confidence of the Pioneers. The total height of the monument is twenty-seven feet, six inches. The estimated cost about $2,500.00. Mt. Pleasant History Hilda Madsen Longsdorf p 183-185









In 1909, during the time James Monsen was mayor, three cement side walk districts were created. District number one, on the north side of Main Street from State Street to Fifth West. District number two, east side of State Street from Main Street to the cemetery, and the west side of State Street from Main Street to Fifth South. District number three, west side of Fifth West from Main Street to Fifth South. Mt. Pleasant History Hilda Madsen Longsdorf p  195

Harold C. Beauman ~ Mayor of the Month ~ November 2010

Harold C. Beaumann, son of Harold C and Ella, was born in Mt. Pleasant, September 20, 1863.  His parents emigrated from Denmark in 1862 and located in Mt. Pleasant.



He worked on the farm and attended the local schools.  In 1886 he was appointed postmaster, which position he held for six years.  He was City Treasurer for four  years, County Treasurer for two years and elected a member of the City Council in 1895.  He was then elected mayor of Mt. Pleasant in 1904.



He assisted in organizing the Mt. Pleasant Bank and was an agent for Royal and Continental Fire Insurance Companies and the Pioneer Davis County nurseries.



He was married in Mt. Pleasant September 20, 1892 to Anne, daughter of Henry and Kate DeGraff, who was born in Salt Lake City, September 30, 1870.  They had two children:  Harold and Ruth.

January 25, 1889, Harold C. Beaumann was appointed Post­master. For a time the post office was in the former location; later. however, it was moved to the east side of First West, between Main and First South.          .Mt. Pleasant History by Hilda Madsen Longsdorf p. 167.

In March 1903, while George Christensen was mayor, the city voted a bond for water works, but not until 1905, during H. C. Beaumann's term, were contracts let for installing the system. In due time, the system was installed, and with its completion. the settling barrels with their prickly pears, which had been used at most every home for the settling of the roily water, disappeared.  HML p. 182.

February 1906, the North Sanpete Bank was incorporated with a capital stock of $50,000.00. W. D. Candland, president; A. J. Aagard, vice president; and H. C. Beaumann, cashier. They were installed in their new building on the north side of Main Street, midway between State and First West.  HML p. 183

1904-5. Mayor, H. C. Beaumann; Recorder, A. H. Maiben; Treas­urer, E. Ellis Day; Marshal, Andrew S. Jensen; Justice of the Peace, A. B. Waldermar; Councilors, A. E. Mcintosh, (16) Joseph Monsen, A. C. Madsen, George H. Marshall, (17) A. C. Wall, S. E. Jensen, Bent R. Hansen.  HML p. 237

Mayor of the Month ~ October 2010 ~ George Christensen ~ He served as Mayor 1900 - 1902

John Carter ~ Mayor of the Month ~ September 2010. He served 1885 - 1887

Among the original pioneers of Sanpete County, were the following men, some being accompanied by their families: Isaac Morley, Seth Taft, Charles Shumway, D. B. Huntington, Barney Ward, John Lowry Sr., Titus Billings, C. W. Bradley, Albert Petty, C. S. Cox, Albert Smith, Jereel Shoemaker, Cyrenus H. Taylor, Azariah Smith, Abraham Washburn, John D. Chase, Isaac Chase, Sylvester Hewlett, Wm. Potter, Gardner Potter, James Brown, Joseph Allen, Madison D. Hambleton, Wm. Richie, Harri­son Fugate, Sylvester Wilcox, Gad Yale, John Carter, Isaac Be­hunin, Wm. Mendenhall, Edwin Whiting, Wm. Tubbe, John Hart, John Baker, John Elmer, John Butterfield, Amos Gustin, John Cable, and W. K. Smith.

Mt. Pleasant History by Hilda Madsen Longsdorf p 16