by Ila T. Mathews, daughter

Rosetta Johnson was born Aug. 7, 1866 at Scipio, Utah daughter of Benjamin H. and Mary Jane Tidwell Johnson, Benjamin Johnson was one of the first settlers in Round Valley.

Rosetta was a beautiful girl, whom everyone admired because of her sweetness, her cheerfulness and even temper. She kept these friends for a lifetime. She married William Riley Thompson Oct. 19, 1884. Ida Robins made her wedding dress.

Rosetta was an excellent cook, who cooked especially to please her husband. Riley was especially fond of baking powder biscuits and Rosetta cooked them every morning for Riley's breakfast. She was an excellent manager and stored bottled fruit, jams and jellies for winter together with many varieties of pickles.

In 1910 Rosetta was called to be the Primary Counselor to Elizabeth Peterson. She had a beautiful alto voice and lead the singing. She was also leader of the Work Department.

She and Riley were the parents of eleven children: William Leslie; Eldora; Leamon; Glen; Clara; Fern; Myrtle; Riley Silas; Ila and Iona who were twins; and Mary Lorenda. After the birth of Riley Silas, Rosetta developed neuralgia of the nerves of the face and suffered untold agonies from it. She was sent to many different doctors but they seemed unable to help her. She finally was given sedatives, which helped but did not cure the pain.

Two of her sons went to war, Glen and Lee and the strain of their war activities kept her worrying night and day. Lee was badly injured which was really more than she could bear, as she was so weakened from her constant pain. Her daughter Clara. who was married, came home to care for the mother. Every attention which was possible was given Rosetta but her frail body had suffered too much pain.

She died November 18, 1919 after having had a serious stroke, and is buried beside her husband in the Scipio Cemetery.

Source: Builders of Early Millard