Elena Valeria Hemenway was born in Gilsun New Hampshire on 23 November 1840. The family moved to Daysville Illinois. They remained at Daysville for 7 years, living with Luther's brother Luke Hemenway in their beautiful home. Luther gave up the beautiful home, work shop, and dear friends and he with his wife Elvira and small children, 4 girls and 2 boys, and a baby only 7 Months old journeyed west. Elena at this time was 10 years old when on the trail. They had started to the West, her father in charge of the caravan. They stopped to help a pioneer by the name of Mayfield who had sick oxen. Father Luther Hemenway said, No neighbor of mine is going to be left alone in the wilderness."
Poor Elvira huddled her small family about her - "We shall all be massacred by the Indians" she said, When a band of roving Indians came along and circled them. The pesky hired man grabbed Elena's arm, and taking her to the biggest buck indicated he could take her. As long as she lived her flesh would creep, when she thought of the experience she had as a little girl - Father Luther rebuked the hired man severely and motioned to the Indian, that the hired man was touched in the head. It took 6 month's journey to reach Great Salt Lake on October 6,1851.
Soon after arriving in Salt Lake City, Lachonus, a brother of Elena fell into a tub of hot molasses and was so seriously burned in his lower parts they did not think he could walk again if he recovered. Father Luther Hemenway gave his a blessing and promised through the spirit "That he would run with the swiftest.'" The family was organized and with constant care and massaging the promise in the blessing was fulfilled. Elena a growing girl, experienced her first love with a separation - both snowbound with occupation to take him away - and no word could he exchanged. Then you dreamed you were in some sort of trouble and John N. Wakley came to the rescue. After some months she was married to John N. Wakley. Elena being trained as a Midwife was called on at all times to help. This brought her continued joy. She would carry to the needy foods of her own preserving.
John Smith in June 9, 1881, pronounced blessing on Elena Wakley - "Thy table shall be spread with the bounties of the earth and no one shall be turned from your door hungry." This part was taken literally. How many free meals did she serve, "I could not estimate, 50,000 and not half know the number," said her daughter Ida Wakley Brown'.
Elena helping in confinement (midwife) helped many of her own grand children. She had 84 grand children and 56 great grand children. She was really courageous.
When Elena was seventy and past, she turned to genealogy. She worked and prayed to get finances to help in this work. She gave all of these services and sympathetic understanding in addition to rearing eleven children of her own, three sons and eight daughters. Death came February 26, 1922. Perhaps as long as the earth turns on its axis the voices of your descendants will echo in these mountains. Your neighbors called you, "Mother of Marsh Valley". I think Elena you deserved that title.

Martha Janette Wakley

Orra Elena Wakley    Joseph Hezekiah Byington

Finis Abagail Wakley    Charles Franklin Potter

John Joseph Wakley    Zenetta Jane Thornton

Ada Jean Wakley    James Treasure

Anna Clara Wakley    William Isaac Bloxham

Luther Willard Wakley    Frances Emma Bloxham

Sarah May Wakley    Erastus Zacheria Bloxham

Ida Belva Wakley    William Fredrick Brown

Arthur Daniel Wakley    Bertha Thornton

Life is like a rose: Before it lives, a seed. Planted in the womb of the earth. Unnourished, meaningless, unliving. Awaiting the lifeblood of the earth that surrounds it. Life is like a rose. Then growth begins a seedling. Sprouting forth in an unknown world. Living, developing, a challenge. Growing within the earth and feeding off it's mother. Life is like a rose. The birth of a flower: Leaving the security of its mother. Maturing, learning, growing. Exploring its New World with the innocence of a child. Life is like a rose. The flower blooms. Giving to the world the beauty of itself, sharing, giving, and adulthood. Spreading its blossoms for the world to see and enjoy. Life is like a rose. The flower withers. Feeling the chill of fall and nearing death. Aging, remembering, contentment, life is like a rose. The flower dies. An end to a full life in a, frosty night. Cold, lifeless, an ending. The flower returns to the earth, from where it came. Life is like a rose.
My Rose: We met, quite by chance, On an evening I was blue, I was praying for romance, and suddenly, there were you. I remember every sentence, You wrote upon the page; it struck a chord in my heart, A song, of endless age. I can remember my thoughts, How quickly they ran through, And I recall every laugh, I have ever had with you. I compare our love to flowers, In particular, a rose, How fragrant and beautiful, is our love, and how it grows. Someday, when we are together And if our flower is fading, A lasting memory of you my sweet, will be in my heart remaining. A rose so red and full of life, and fragrant beyond sensing, This rose, is for you my sweet, my love is never ending. Should youth and beauty fail us, And upon our face it shows, Remember, we, forever will be, A fragrant, beautiful, Rose.
Walk With Me: If you have learned to walk A little more sure-footedly than I, Be patient with my stumbling then And know that only as I do my best and try May I attain the goal For which we both are striving. If through experience, your soul has gained heights, which I As yet in dim-lit vision see, hold out your hand and point the way, Lest from its straightness I should stray, and walk a mile with me.
Beyond the garden gate: Step into my garden Step in and you'll see A measure of peace and tranquility. It's the scent of the blossoms The buzz of the bees The sweet song of birds As they sing in the trees. The sweet scent of roses their petals so new as they glisten and sparkle with the fresh morning dew. Run your toes through the grass beneath a canopy of trees Hear the rustle of leaves as they blow in the breeze. Let the beauty of springtime fill your soul with great peace Take it with you and share it with each one you meet.
You're Special: Many times we encounter new people in our lives, They come and go with no great concern, But, there are a few who make lasting impressions on our beings, You, are one of those people. From the start there was no doubt, I couldn't understand what the fuss was about, You accepted me for what I am, and lent me a helping hand. You were there for me through it all, You pick me up when I fall, You give me hugs when I am blue, What would I do, without you? This is how it is between us two, We love each other, me and you, I just wanted to say it with this little touch, You're special, I love you, so very much. My Once Dear Friend: Every breath I take, I can feel your heart beat, Every move I make, I can feel you near me, Every time I wake, I long to touch your body, I'm in love with you, my once, dear friend. Every time I call you, I can hear an angel, You're whispering a message, from your heart to mine, A message of completeness, and lasting love, I'm in love with you, my once, dear friend. Every choice I make, that involves my future, I am thinking how it may impact on you and me, You are important, and I need to know your feelings, I'm in love with you, my once, dear friend. From this moment on, I want to have you with me, Never letting go, and never far away, I am most completed, when we are together, Come and stay with me, my once, dear friend. As we do grow old, and we share our journey, Let us always know, that our love will never die, And when we pass from here, into the heavens promised, I will be with you, my once, dear friend. I wrote this special song, so you may see the blessings, You have brought to me, in this life of mine, And always until the end, when everything is done, I'll be in love with you, my once, dear friend.
To me you are the velvet that falls down from the sky the beauty of a softness that fills me with a sigh offer you my flower with love I give to you the joy and peace I offer I know you love me too So take this gift I give you although I am quite shy it is the love I offer as every day goes by Forever be my sweetheart You always were my friend The rose's special beauty Love's meaning has no end.
Gosh I love the raindrops they make a pretty sound Falling from the heavens Puddles to be found Always love a puddle Jump in with two feet what a splash I'm making for me its such a treat When the rain is pouring it makes me feel so gay for after rain the rainbow to bring a special day thought I would tell you As I'm skipping through Raindrops are like dewdrops The nourish hearts so true.
Every day I think of you I humbly will bow you're the joy within my life I want to tell you how You make me feel so special you fill me with such peace Make me grin with special love these feelings just increase Knowing you are always there it makes my day divine loving you with tenderness Are blessings I combine. Been thinking for a while now what time you go to bed Mom and Dad they tell me you sweetly rub my head You must be very tired You watch me all day long Then at night I'm sleeping You still are going strong I really want to tell you I think that I am blessed to have someone who loves me who never gets to rest So now I want to tell you that you can sleep tonight I promised Mom and Daddy I'd really be all right.
My friend is unassuming, Gentle and sincere, Always very patient, lending me an ear. I love my friend and all that's done, Out of love and without pay, In the best of times, And on a cloudy day. My friend will stay and hold me close, And share with me my fears, My friend will listen and not judge me, And help me wipe away my tears. As long as life be in my bones, And while I am able to, I will thank the Lord above, For sending an angel, you.
A Dozen Roses: I got a dozen roses from a friend the other day; but I only have 1 left, For I gave them all away. I gave one to my sister, who to me is very dear, In hopes that it will bring to her A little floral cheer. I took one to a friend who's not feeling very well: The flower or the visit-- Which helped more I could not tell. One went to a friend I haven't known for very long She struggles, so in some small way, I hope this helps her carry on. The rest went to the ones who've helped me in so many ways; they have been a cheerful presence on my dreary days. The Roses were so pretty I just could not keep them all except one single bud standing beautiful and tall. My friend gave me the flowers to help brighten up my day, But the biggest joy I received, was giving them away.
Across the miles you've brought me smiles you've wiped my tears by lending an ear, although my voice you have not heard you've listened carefully to my thoughts, my feelings, my words. And I want you to know, I'm glad we met over the net, 'cause my heart is happy deep down inside and you're a treasure, my friend and that's no lie! Thanks for your friendship! And Thanks for being you! Big Big Hugs.