George James Bitton was born 22 Jan 1869, in West Weber, Weber County, Utah, a son of John Evington and Sarah Susannah Wintle Bitton. He was baptized in June 1878 by John Brown at West Weber. He was ordained an Elder 1 Dec 1889 by Bishop Zachariah Ballantyne at West Weber.

George was taken out of school at an early age to help care for the herd of sheep his father owned. When he was sixteen years of age, he stayed all alone one winter on the Hogup Mountain Desert Range herding the sheep.

He met Rebecca Bingham at Wilson Lane, and made many trips to Wilson Lane on horseback taking her to Ward dances. Dancing, horse racing and base ball and house parties were the only kind of recreation they had at that time.

Rebecca Bingham was born 13 April 1869 at Huntsville, Weber County, Utah, a daughter of Willard Bingham and Amanda Melvina Snow Bingham. She was baptized 5 June 1878 by John Martin Sr. at Wilson Lake. Her parents were pioneers of 1848, she was the seventh child in a family of ten children.

George James Bitton and Rebecca Bingham traveled to Logan, Utah with a horse and buggy and were married the 4th of December 1889 in the Logan Temple, and to this union nine children were born: George James Jr; Ada Rebecca; Amanda Melvina; Wilford; Florence Sarah; Spencer John; Kenneth Willard; Wyatt Emmett; and Dee France.

After their marriage they rented a small split log house in Wilson Lane and five of their children were born there. Ada, their oldest daughter was taken by Scarlet Fever on the 14th of January 1894, and was buried in the West Weber Cemetery.

They moved to West Weber in 1900, when George purchased his father's place there. They moved into the white house located north of the West Weber Chapel, (1976) where the other four children were born.

Although George was not very active in church work, he was always ready to help financially in any cause for the church, and did his share to improve the church buildings and grounds. He was a ward teacher for many years. He was honest and upright in dealing with his fellowmen.

George always looked forward to the Ward Reunion each year, as he loved to play his accordion or mouth organ during the program. He was always applauded back to play the old time favorites. Most of his neighbors and friends affectionately called him "Uncle George."

George was engaged in the sheep business for many years and spent many months up in the mountains caring for his herd. Rebecca and the children would travel up to his camp in the mountains and stay several days, living in the camp wagon and tents.

On one of these camping trips, Florence, who was about five years of age, was playing near the camp wagon, when suddenly there was a large rattlesnake, just a short distance from her foot. She stood paralyzed with fear, calling out, "A snake, A snake." Her father just happened to be in the camp wagon and heard her calling, he ran out with his 30-30 rifle, just in time to shoot the snake, coiled and ready to strike.

George always had a good team of horses, and he could handle them with ease, but when it came to Automobiles, one experience was enough; about 1930, he was going to take his grandson, Jay Bitton, for a little ride in a 1922 Ford Model T. The car was parked facing the house, George pushed down on the wrong pedal, gave her a good touch of the throttle and banged forward into the house, hollering, "Whoa, whoa, I said." Never again would he try driving an automobile.

Rebecca was a very active church worker, holding positions as secretary of the MIA and Primary in the Wilson Ward. "hen she moved to West Weber she was Called to work in the Relief Society and continued as a teacher for the rest of her life. She was a very dear, sweet lady; she always tried to do much for everyone. For years her hands were crippled with rheumatism, still they were never idol. She loved her family very much and although it was hard for her to work, because of her afflictions, she did all she could for her family. She always had love and consideration for others who were sick or in need of help.

Rebecca passed away on the 7th of July 1932, and George followed her nineteen years later on the 29th of September 1951. They were buried in the West Weber Cemetery.

Submitted by Dee Bitton, a son and Boyd Hancock, a grandson

Source:

In The Bend Of The River

History Of West Weber 1859-1976