Royal B Grant and Lizzie Viola Nye

Lizzie Viola Nye was born Monday, September 17, 1888, about 8:00 A. M. to James and Elizabeth Smith Nye in Paris, Idaho.  She had 8 older brothers and sisters.  At the age of 8 {September 17, 1896) she was baptized at the old Mill Rase in Paris by her father.  Bishop Robert Pierce confirmed her the same day.

“I’ve got a son!” Jedediah Mill Grant hollered as he rode his horse through the small town October 21, 1888.  Annie Kaziah Grant, his wife, was cuddling the infant joyfully in her arms.  They named the boy Royal “B” (for Bowcutt) Grant on November 1, 1888.  Viola was also blessed on November 1, 1888.

Viola (Grandma) attended grade school in Paris, Idaho and the Fielding High until the 9th grade.  She started working at Miliner’s Hat Shop at the age of 12 and worked there until she was [sic] when she became Postmistress of the Post Office in Paris.  Mollie Nye, Viola’s second oldest sister lived in Honeyville, Utah.  Grandma went there to visit Mollie and her husband, Orrie Hunsaker.

It was during her visit in Honeyville that she met Royal Grant at the Brigham City Peach Days Celebration in 1911.

Roy and Viola Grant

One night Royal was courting Viola in his buggy.  He asked her to marry him and the stars sparkled as the couple below parked on the bank of the canal.  They were married November 13, 1913 in the Salt Lake Temple.  The couple was very active in the church.  Grandma had taught Sunday School for ten years before she was married.  She was Secretary of the Relief Society for 13 years.  Grandpa was first counselor in the Y.M.M.I.A. for 6 years and a Sunday School teacher in the Intermediate Classes.

Royal was baptized December 5, 1896 on the spot where Jensen’s Mill is now located (2 miles west of Honeyville).  He was confirmed by Bishop Thomas Wheatley in Honeyville.  Grandpa used to ride a horse three miles to school every day.

One time while he was courting Viola he came from Wyoming to see Grandma.  He wasn’t feeling very well but he did to want to see Grandma.  When red spots broke out on him he went to Honeyville and was very ill with the measles the second time he had had them.  Shortly, as could be expected, Viola got the measles, too!

Royal B Grant and Lizzie Viola Nye Grant about 1943-44

Grandpa and Grandma Grant had seven children.  Only two lived.  Nora, who is married and has 4 children, and Beryl who has 5.  Nye, Royce, and Rayford, Grandma and Grandpa’s sons died.  Paul and Elizabeth, twins, also died.

Viola and Roy Grant taken 1957

Royal worked in Bingham in the lead and silver mines, at Ogden 2nd Street, at Perry Cannery, and has built four houses during his life.

Grandma and Grandpa were very special to us.  Christmas wasn’t Christmas without them.  Grandpa is a man of few words, but he has the determination to do anything.  He always enjoyed good health.  Grandma, for as long as I can remember, has had bad health.  She had scarlet fever when she was six years old and it affected her health the rest of her life.  She was a patient woman and always fun to talk to.

Viola and Roy Grant

Grandma died November 1, 1958 at the age of 70.

Written by: Karen Tibbitts (Granddaughter)

Roy and Viola Grant home in Honeyville, Utah