Weber State University - Acorn Yearbook (Ogden, UT)

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JOSEPH STANFORD ROBERT MCQUAJRJRJE CHARLES E MIDDLETON LEWIS WARREN SHURTLIFF NILS CHRISTIAN FLYGARE DAVID MCKAY 'bUNP£RS ox VEBER COLLEGE THOMAS JORDAN STEVENS LOUIS FREDERICK MOENCH

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8 HISTORICAL old Weber Stake was first divided, he served as second counselor to President Lewis W. Shurtliff. A Latter Day Saint of this character and ability is also a good citizen of his country, and Elder Flygare was no exception. He held many important positions in the Ogden city government and in various com- panies. He directed the construction of the Utah Agricultural College. His life should be an inspiration; it is one worthy of remembrance. David McKay, son of William Mc- Kay and Ellen Oman, was born in Thurso, Scotland. May 3, 1844. At the age of nineteen he came to Utah, and a few years later made his home in I lunts- ville. When twenty-three years of age. he married Jeanette Evans. I le held a number of positions in the Huntsville ward, all of which he filled successfully. In 1882. he was called on a two-year mission to Scotland; in 1891, he left for a second mission to his native country. After returning, he was chosen president of the Weber Stake High Priests quorum, and in 1884 became the first Bishop of the newly organized Eden Ward. In addition to the Church posi- tions he held, he was elected a repre- sentative and later a senator to the State legislature. The busy days spent in the service of others did not cause Elder McKay to neglect his home duties, for he reared a family, the members of which have become great leaders in our Church and State. Robert McQuarrie is another typi- cal example of a man who faithfully served his Church and nation. Like David McKay he was a “bonnie lad of Scotland, being born at North Knap- dale, August 17, 1832. I le came to Utah at the age of twenty-five, arriving in Salt Lake City, September 12, 1837. He filled a two-year mission to Great Brit- ain. was later Superintendent of the Second Ward Sunday Schools, Stake Tithing Clerk, and Bishop of the Sec- ond Ward from 1877 until shortly before his death. In civil offices, he served as County Treasurer for eight years, City Alderman for three years. City Council- man for six years. School Trustee for six years, Ogden City Treasurer for two years, and County Commissioner for three years. At the time of the founding of Weber Stake Academy, Joseph Stanford was a member of the I ligh Council. I le was born August 16, 1834. in Sussex County. England, where he later attended the National School, and at the age of fifteen was graduated as pupil-teacher. He had a desire to be graduated from Oxford, but when he was sixteen, he and his parents came to Utah, arriving in 1861. Their emigration was a result of their conversion to the Latter Day Saint faith. After settling here, he taught school and later engaged in the mercantile business. I le served in Ogden as City Councilman, Alderman. Justice of the Peace, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Ogden City Schools. County Recorder for six years, and six years as County Commissioner. I le was a member of the territorial legislature for two terms.

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10 HISTORICAL Louis Frederick Moench. a man whose influence will live in the minds of many people for generations to come, was horn in Germany. July 29. 1846. I le received his primary and high school education in Germany; but before being graduated, he had to leave with his parents for America. T he family re- mained for some time in Chicago, where Mr. Moench. having a strong desire to become a great educator, went to night school, since he worked in the daytime. He took a course in Bryant and Strat- ton's College. At the age of twenty-two he started for California with the inten- tion of teaching school there, but stopped in Utah where he saw the truth of Mormonism. After becoming a mem- ber of the Church, he engaged as an instructor in the University of Deseret (now the University of Utah), taught in Brigham City for one year, then came to Ogden where for thirty years he held various executive positions in the teaching profession. I le was princi- pal of Ogden Schools (a position simi- lar to that of superintendent) for nine years, was principal of Ogden’s first high school (the Central School which was located at the present site of the Elk’s Club), was superintendent of Weber County Schools for ten years, principal of Weber Stake Academy, between 1889 and 1892, and again after returning from a mission to Germany, was principal from 1894 to 1902. Dur- ing his first term as principal of Weber, he drew the plans for the original part of the present Weber College building and directed its construction. Professor Moench also taught in Colorado. Ari- zona. and in Millard County, Utah, lie held important ward and stake positions in the Church. The effects of this great educator’s good will and intelligence are felt strongly today. Thomas J. Stevens is another of the founders whose great integrity and work did much to promote Church, commun- ity. and school, lie held high positions of trust in the Church as well as many important civil and social positions. I le was born in Bristol. England. January 24. 1848, and was baptized in 1856. Because of his noble character and fine works, he rose rapidly in the Church and was highly admired. The meeting conducted by President Shurtliff regarding the establishment of an Academy resulted in the organizing of the Weber Stake Academy Board of Education with Lewis W. Shurtliff. president; Joseph Stanford, secretary; Robert McQuarrie, treasurer; Louis F. Moench. principal : and Charles F. Mid- dleton. Nils C. Flygare. David McKay, and Thomas J. Stevens as members. This group of men stood firm in their efforts, and forged ahead with a plan they knew would result in a living, bene- ficial institution. It was January 9. 1889, that their hopes became realities, for on that day the Weber Stake Academy was formally opened with temporary headquarters in the Second Ward. Pro- fessor Louis F. Moench. principal, began with the assistance of Lorenzo Waldram, to teach the seventy students enrolled. The school included primary, intermediate, and academic work; in-