Hyrum Bown was the fifth child of William Bown Senior and Jane Ann [Metcalf]. He was born 2 February 1865, in St. George, Utah. I imagine this was a most difficult period for his parents.Grains wouldn't grow in St. George and it was hot and dry with dubious rainfall. William had been very sick and this had thrown much of the work on Jane Ann. When Hyrum was about four months old, they made a journey to Fayette to visit Jane's parents. William felt so much better and they received a release. When Jane went back to St. George she left Mary Jane and Hyrum with her family. It is very likely that a friend or relative could have acted as a wet nurse.
Hyrum spent his boyhood in Fayette. It was a typical Mormon pioneer home; Hyrum was taught religion and morals by precept and by example. He was also taught to work because every child had to cooperate. Not much time was left for scholastic training in schools, so a child had to educate himself as best he could after the third grade. Hyrum did well in this respect and he became an avid reader.
As a child, Hyrum was taught to take care of cattle and sheep and to assist with all kinds of farm work and chores. He became an excellent gardener and the sheep industry became his life's work.
For many years, Hyrum spent most of his time on the range. The first few years were spent with his uncle Will Metcalf--an extremely decent fellow--how taught Hyrum a great deal and who earned his life-long love and respect. He later worked with his oldest brother, William, on the west mountains near Fayette. He, too, was a good influence and a deep and lasting companionship bound them together. Then Hyrum spent time in the Henry Mountains, where brother William had moved his herds; he was accumulating sheep of his own by this time.
Hyrum was an excellent horseman. And he seemed to enjoy the out-of-doors. From his son, we have this little story..."When my mother, Isabella Braithwaite, was 12 years old, she came running home to her parents Robert and Harriet one day. She was very excited saying, 'Mama, I just saw my future husband. They said he is a cowboy and his name is Hyrum Bown.' Her mother exploded with a slap and said, 'Why, you little silly goose,' and she put her to bed and that ended the first episode. That is, on the surface, but deep down she never forgot her cowboy. About seven years later she met her cowboy again, but now he was not quite so rough looking...she was properly introduced but did not tell her mother about it this time until they were engaged."
Hyrum was a quiet, serious young man. He was baptized at age 11, and he advanced in his church. He was religious and conscientious. When he was 23 years old, he received a call to fill a mission. He arranged his business affairs and returned home. He was ordained an elder and was set apart by Heber J. Grant, on 16 October 1888.
He served two years in what was then the Eastern States Mission, mostly in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Although they carried some funds, they worked mainly without purse or scrip and the water was so uninviting that Hyrum felt he must strain it through his handkerchief in order to drink it. His father's journal states "My son returned home from a mission after serving a faithful and successful mission on 19 Novermber, 1890."
When Hyrum returned, he resumed his sheep business in the Henry and Boulder Mountains. He later ran his sheep on consignment on his brother's land and paid William and his sons shares. He retained this business until he retired, but he always kept a few head at home to "putter with and provide food for the table." He also always kept a garden.
Hyrum also renewed his friendship with Isabella Braithwaite, daughter of Robert and Harriet B. Braithwaite. He had been away with his work and his mission and she had worked in Salt Lake, but they hadn't forgotten their earlier impressions. They say opposites attract, and in July, 1892, serious 27-year old Hyrum took jolly, cheerful Isabella as his bride. Hyrum was 5 foot 9 inches tall, with brown curly hair and blue eyes. He was always fairly thin, and most of his life he wore a mustache. Isabella was 5 foot 6 inches with brown hair and brown eyes. She brought to the union the tremendous musical abilities of her father and the disposition and character which sustained her although Hyrum was away most of their married life.
They settled in Manti, and had ten children. Isabella was a loving and devoted mother. She was a good cook and she set a full table for her children and guests. She had patience, neatness, and she taught the children to work. All this and she was not too robust in health! Hyrum was usually away with the sheep, but when he returned he had a temple mission to fill as well. He always brought hugs and kisses and a small white canvas bag of pine gum for the children.
A glimpse of their home life comes from Alta Coleman. "I am sure there were times when each of us children were reprimanded and justifiably. We were not perfect models but we had kindness and love in our home., and lots of fun times. I remember at least one scolding I got from my father. I can't remember why I used a swear word but Papa gave me a good scolding and I never forgot it. Papa used to take some of us younger children for rides in the buggy, with his old white horse, 'Old Nell' pulling. He also let some of us ride her without a saddle. One day too many of us got on her back and she went under the clothes line and scooped us all off.
"Papa was a good vegetable gardener. He let me drop the potato set in each hole and then he covered it up and went down the row. Papa let me get up on the rafters in the shed where he had nailed a big wool sack to hold his wool as he sheared it from each sheep. I was proud to be his helper but I hated the sheep ticks that got on me. Mama inspected me closely each day to be sure to get them off. Papa carried peppermints in his pocket and us 'kids' knew we would get our share. Our friends knew they would get some also, and they did."
Hyrum was good at mathematics. He did a lot of figuring in his head. He had a lot of "figuring" on the barn doors, and a lot of it remained even after he was gone. His nephew, Francis, liked to take Hyrum on his trucking trips as he said Hyrum had a "good figure-head" and he could tell him whether he was getting a good deal or not.
Some things he taught the children were: to put things back in their place, to turn out unused lights, take good care of clothes, pay tithing, and attend church. They had a piano, and all of the children had an opportunity to learn to play a musical instrument. Some were very successful.
Hyrum was scrupulously honest and very meticulous about the payment of his tithing. At one time, he and Isabella most naturally needed a larger home. The choice came as to whether they should pay their tithing or put the money on a new home. Isabella said she could wait awhile longer and the family eventually found their "Home Sweet Home" on the corner of Second South and Third East, in Manti. They had rented a number of homes in Manti, and this was a very special occasion.
In 1907, Hyrum was called to a second mission. Because his boys were still too young to handle the sheep alone, he felt he couldn't leave and he donated $500 for someone else to go. The money remained in a fund and many years later, some of it was sent to his daughter, Alta, on her mission!
Hyrum kept a good, gentle horse. A fine buggy was their means of transportation, and they occasionally went to Gunnison, Fayette, or to conference at Ephraim. Not all the children could get in at once, so they viewed it as a real treat when they were able to go.
Hyrum and Isabella insisted on honesty, school attendance unless the children were ill, good citizenship, and religious devotion. Prayer was a part of their everyday lives. Hyrum and Isabella liked to work in the temple with his parents or other relatives.
Although he was usually quiet, Hyrum had a hearty laugh. He got a big kick out of the old "Amos 'n Andy" records. He loved to read the newspaper and the scriptures and to keep up on all current affairs.
Due to his health, Hyrum retired in 1918. He must have driven later, for he visited his younger children in Provo when they were going to school. At one time, he had a goodly fortune, but he was generous about loaning it out. Many people of good reputation and high position did not pay him back. Nevertheless, he was always a good provider. When he died rather suddenly, his children found about $10,000 (which is not bad at all) and two shoeboxes full of tithing receipts and unpaid I.O.U's. He died in Manti on 27 November, 1936. Isabella died 14 December 1944. Both are buried in the Manti cemetery.
