She got along great with the boys, so when Emily married Guss Chase, her greatest desire was for a son, but her firstborn son, Alva, did not survive childbirth.
It was three years before a second child was born, but little Sarah lived only seven days past her first birthday.
Once again Emily's arms ached for a child, especially a son, but I'm sure she was overjoyed when a baby daughter, Stella, was born eight months later in good health.
Five long years later the much anticipated baby son joined the family. Emily and her husband Guss were over the moon with Arthur John; so very proud. Their prayers had been answered. Arthur had been named after Emily's Uncle, her father's older brother, Arthur Taylor.
Sadly, Arthur had not been sent to stay. The following Christmas Guss, Emily, Stella and their little pride and joy traveled to Springville, Utah, for a family holiday visit. Arthur never returned to Idaho, as he passed away from a sudden illness and was buried in Utah. He had only lived fifteen short months. Emily was overcome with grief to return home without him.
Four years later my Grandmother, Lucille, was born and it was not a secret that her parents would have preferred a son. Two more daughters, Reta and Bessie came along within the following three years, as well as a stillbirth, but Emily and Guss were not destined to have another son in their home.
My Grandma grew up loving her brother Arthur that she had never known, because her parents loved and missed him so much and spoke of him often.
The wonderful name Arthur continued when Lucille's first grandson was born to her daughter Ramona, who named him Larry Arthur Hatch, honoring both her brother and her departed uncle.
The following generation, Harold's first grandson, the son of Kevin and Marilyn McCracken was also given the name Arthur.
Wouldn't Guss and Emily be happy to know that the name Arthur is being remembered and honored.
