Joseph Blanch was born June 11, 187G in H. Jaring, Amp. Denmark. He was the son of Dorothea Larson. Her father, Jorgen Larsen joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1870. The following year Grandfather, mother Georgina and Joseph left Denmark to make their home in the United States. They arrived in Utah by train in May 1871. Joseph being 11 months old, his mother brought him to West Weber, where he grew up. His education was almost nonexistent. However, he did learn to read and write. While in his early teens he worked for neighbors and in the summer he was hired to herd sheep in the mountains for Thomas Etherington, who later became his father-in-law, and William C. Hunter.

When he was in his late teens he contracted typhoid fever and his sister, Mamie had it also and passed away. Joseph lay between life and death for a lone period, as a result of the fever lost all of his hair, but it came back in.

Joseph was admitted to citizenship in the United States by the Fourth Judicial District of U.S., October 1, 1892.

At the age of 26 years, he was married to Laura May Etherington, January 20, 1897, and later the marriage was solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple, September 15, 1916.

To provide a home, he purchased what was known at that time, as the Rogerson home, this being the first land he owned, located where Reed Hancock's home now stands.(l976) In his early married life he worked for Fronks, making adobe for buildings.

When Thomas Etherington's estate was settled, Laura drew as her share a ranch in Rockland, Idaho, so Joseph would go there in the summer for several years to irrigate and help with the harvest. Later he traded Elizabeth Hadley, Laura's sister for her share along the Weber River, making farming his life work. He disliked debts and he was honest. Joseph was a good manager of his farm and family. He was harsh in disciplining his children and in passing judgment on others. In his early years, he was not directly active in the Church, but in later years he attended Priesthood and Sacrament meeting and was a ward teacher. He was a High Priest at the time of his death.

He served on committees for the 24th of July Activities and was a member on the committee in charge of ward dances.

One Sacrament meeting, Ed Bingham, a member of the High Counsel, called on Joseph to speak. He tried, standing at the pulpit for what seemed ages, then sat down without saying a word. Joseph acknowledged a job well done by his children and was happy to see them in service. '

On June 26, 1929, at the age of 59 years, Joseph met his death when a team of horses, on a hay rake ran away, he was dragged about 100 to 200 feet. His neck was broken, his three sons were with him; they took him home and he lived one hour. He was buried June 30, 1929 in the West Weber Cemetery.

He was the father of nine children: Joseph Glen, Sarah Judkins, George, Laura Hancock, John R. Eliza Wagstaff, Ethel Stoker, Donald, and Grant E.

Source:

In The Bend Of The River

History Of West Weber 1859-1976