10/27/2023
Ellen (Nellie) McLachlan grew up in the house her father built in Salt Lake City. She was very close with her father, going with him everywhere she could. In 1885 Nellie taught school at the Seventh Ward District School. Nellie married I.R in 1887. Their first child, born in 1888, was named Ellen Elizabeth. They had four more children over the next 6 years; Joseph Elroy (Roy), Alice Erma, Marion Myrle, and Robert Owen. Nellie was enjoyed by all the neighborhood, and was active in the community.
In 1897, they had their fifth child, Gretta. And in 1899, their sixth child Bill was born. In the fall of 1899, Nellie and the children moved to Soda Springs. While there, Nellie had twins, Lorin and Lynn. In 1903 their ninth child was born, Walter Raymond, sadly he passed away six weeks later. In early 1905, their tenth child was born, Carrie McLachlan. By late 1905, I.R and Nellie and their family moved to Rexburg, Idaho. In Rexburg they had their eleventh child June. The family then moved by teams of horses and wagons to Arco, Idaho. In 1909 Virgil was born, unfortunately passing away eight months later.
In the spring of 1910, the family moved to the Pahsimeroi Valley. A few months later, Kenneth was born. At the time Nellie was forty-four. All the children rode to school in a two-seated buggy pulled by two horses. It was mentioned that Nellie "was willing to do anything for the good of the children." Nellie had a love for poetry and laughter. In 1933 Nellie suffered a bad cold which turned to pneumonia. Later that year, Nellie passed away. Nellie was often remembered for her quote: "My strength is as the strength of ten because my heart is pure."
