1909-1911: Courtship, Love, & Marriage in a Small Town

And so the legendary tale begins of the courship of Stan and Lizzie which cannot be confirmed as it was not written down but was hearsay only from Grandpa Clarence.  They were each in their own horse and buggy approaching a bridge wide enough only for one carriage.  A short, unplanned race ensued which Elizabeth won or was permitted to win.  The more important result was that they had caught each other's interest.  The gossip section of the following newspaper kept tabs on their courting activities.  Grandpa Clarence, in his writings, indicated that during their courtship, they would sit together in Stan's parlor while his mother Harriet would serve them toasted bread and hot chocolate. 

Graham guardian. (Safford, Ariz.) 1895-1923
August 13, 1909, Image 1
Image provided by Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records; Phoenix, AZ
Persistent link: http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn95060914/1909-08-13/ed-1/seq-1/

Lizzie was often found on a horse. There are many mentions in the local paper during this time period that tell of her and her friends going for a day ride and a picnic via horseback.  She loved horses and even broke her own for riding.

Lizzie and Stan were married in her parents home by Stake President Andrew Kimball (father of Spencer W. Kimball) in April of 1910, both at the age of 20.  They were both musically inclined.  Lizzie played the piano and organ for church choirs and community events.  Stan played the violin.  Again, there are numerous mentions of them throughout the newspapers accompanying the music for one gathering or another.

Graham guardian. (Safford, Ariz.) 1895-1923
April 22, 1910, Image 4
Image provided by Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records; Phoenix, AZ
Persistent link: http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn95060914/1910-04-22/ed-1/seq-4/

 
In the second year of their marriage, they were blessed with their first child, a baby boy whom they called Clarence Leroy Crandall after his father, Stanley Leroy Crandall.  During this time, Stan worked at a local drug store and would soon after move his family to Los Angeles, California for a few years to attend pharmacy school. 
 


Graham guardian. (Safford, Ariz.) 1895-1923
September 29, 1911, Image 1
Image provided by Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records; Phoenix, AZ
Persistent link: http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn95060914/1911-09-29/ed-1/seq-1/

On the same page (middle column - 5th paragraph), we read that Samuel Claridge's daughter, Elizabeth Claridge-McCune (daughter from Samuel's first wife) is visiting from Salt Lake City.  She is the same daughter that gave her father $1000 to build his Thatcher home. The Samuel Claridge family had moved into that home in 1908. Hyrum Claridge then moved into his father's previous home nearby where Lizzie and Stan held their wedding.