Edward Leo Lyman (1857-1906)

Edward Leo Lyman

Edward Leo Lyman Sr. was born at Salt Lake City, Utah, January 4, 1857. He was the son of Amasa Mason Lyman and Lydia Partridge Lyman. His early life was spent in Fillmore, Utah, where he lived with his mother and two sisters, Ida and May. Upon the death of their mother, these three made their home with the elder brother, Platte D. Lyman. When Platte moved from Fillmore to Oak City, they went with him and lived with the family and their mother's sister, Caroline Ely Lyman.

Mary Maranda Callister, daughter of Thomas  Callister and Caroline Smith, was married to Edward Leo Lyman Sr., in the Endowment House, 14 November 1878, by Daniel H. Wells. He was 21 and she was 24. They set up housekeeping in one room of Caroline Lyman's adobe home, which stood north of the present John E. Lovell home in Oak City. Edward was associated with his brothers in the sawmill business. Mary and Edward spent their honeymoon at the sawmill in the canyon. Ten children were born to this couple: Ida May (stillborn), Edward Leo Jr., Philomela (Millie), Lydia, Frank Arthur, Thomas Callister (Callis), Willis Jan, Evelyn (stillborn), Clara and Alma Rich.

In 1880 Edward went to Bluff, San Juan, with his brothers in the original "Hole in the Rock" company. Upon returning from the expedition, Edward and Mary decided to stay in Oak City instead of going back to San Juan. The Lyman Brothers organized a company. Edward bought a lot and built a small home. Mary taught school to help with the family finances even though children were coming along regularly. George E. Finlinson, one of her students, has told many times how he pushed the baby carriage in the schoolroom to keep the baby quiet while she taught school.

Edward "Eddie" Leo Lyman

Edward and May moved to Ogden to work and pay a debt to the Consolidated Wagon Company. Mary's mother, Caroline Smith, cousin to the Prophet Joseph Smith, lived with the family while they were in Ogden until her death. In 1897 the family moved back to Oak City where Edward worked for himself again. In 1898 they bought a home west of the public square known then as the George Dutson home. These years were busy ones for the family. They planted orchards and gardens and took part in local dramatics and worked in the organizations of the ward.

The great tragedy of Mary's life was the death of her beloved husband, 'Eddie' on May 22, 1906, of pneumonia. With the help of her sons she managed the farm and was father and mother to her children.

Mary died 24 years later on May 14, 1930. Both she and Edward are buried in the Oak City Cemetery.

Source:
Book: “Echoes of the Sage and Cedars” – A Centennial History of Oak City, Utah 1868-1969; Compiled by Margaret W. Roger, p. 387-338.

Descendancy

Lydia Partridge

Edward Leo Lyman

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