James Clarence Ellsworth family papers, 1900-1994

James Clarence Ellsworth was born on May 26, 1885 in Luna Valley, New Mexico. He was the son of James Henry and Eliza R. McCleve Ellsworth. He served his mission in Australia for two years after he had married his wife, Julia Claridge. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on June 12, 1907. James went on his mission between 1908-1910. James and Julia had five sons: James Claridge, Elmo Hughes, Spencer David, Samuel George, and Theron Charles Claridge. His first employment was an oiler and a sweeper in a flour mill. Later in his life he was town clerk under mayor George P. Jacobson for four years in Safford, Arizona. He was also the mayor of Payson, the first Republican mayor in more than 25 years. Throughout his life he lived in many different places, including Salt Lake City, Payson, Ogden, and Logan, Utah. He also lived in Henderson, Nevada; Chino, San Marino, and Long Beach in California; Gila Valley, Arizona, and Kansas City, Missouri. On May 29, 1953, Julia Ellsworth died in a fatal car accident in which James Ellsworth was also seriously injured. He recovered and later passed away on March 7, 1970, at his son's (Dr. T.C. Ellsworth) home in San Marino, California.