History of
Eliza Viola Brough (1895-1930)
and Charles Millard Massey

Quoted from the 1980 RBFO book:
Samuel Richard Brough, 1857-1947: His History, Ancestors & Descendants

Eliza Viola Brough was the third child and first daughter of Samuel Richard Brough and Ann Eliza Carter. Viola was born December 18, 1896, in Lyman, Wyoming.

Viola had a happy childhood growing up with her many brothers, sisters and parents. She was always active in all church and school activities. She often took the leading male part in plays. She played the organ and piano and was asked to accompany many individuals and groups.

Remarks taken from President M. Melvin Rollins, former bishop of Lyman Ward:

"I have been trying to recall in my mind Viola's early childhood days. It was my privilege to have lived a neighbor in her ward and to have become very closely associated with this good woman. I have known her since she was a girl and have also known the family for a number of years. I was a counselor to her father in the Lyman Ward and for several years before her marriage was her bishop.

"You will agree in every community there are men and women whose lives have enriched our lives and have played a great part in the life of the community in which they lived, because of the unselfish spirit that they possess and the willingness they have to serve others. Such was Sister Viola. I presume I will always call her Viola, her first name, because as children, we ran together and called each other by our first names. It was her lot and mine to have been raised in a pioneer community. I think that is one of the reasons, too, that this sister obtained the unselfish attitude she had because of the circumstances under which she lived and also the splendid parentage from which she came.

"It was her lot even as a child to help make the desert blossom like a rose because her own father was selected as a leader in the community where sagebrush grew, and where there were no fences and bridges; and a new community was made where a few years before there was a wilderness.

"I can think of no girl in the Lyman Ward, no young woman who was of greater service in the various organizations of the church and social activities in the community. No one was more greatly loved or more popular with all the people, both young and old, than was Sister Viola Brough. She had a very sweet disposition, and made friends with everyone. Particularly she seemed to be very successful with children, which was natural because of her nature, and children learned to love her. And I think she has a host of them now who have grown up and who are growing up who will always revere her memory, So I feel she was an extraordinary person even though she perhaps did not attain to high positions, neither in the church nor the community in which she lived, nor perhaps did she crave honor or position, but she was a real neighbor, a true friend to humanity.

"Because of these sterling qualities which she possessed, she was outstanding in the community in which she lived. So when I learned today that men and women, old and young, came fifty miles and more from the community surrounding where she lived just to view her body and express how much they loved her and what she meant to them in that community, I was not surprised. She meant a lot to the Lyman community, as even now many remember her as a Sunday School teacher, a Primary teacher and an officer in the M.I.A. She had a strong testimony of the gospel as anyone I have ever had the privilege to meet." (Viola's funeral February 16, 1930).

Viola married Charles Millard Massey December 6, 1916 in the Salt Lake Temple. Millard was a U. S. Surveyor so for a few years she lived with him wherever he was working. They neither one wanted this type of life, so he quit his job and they applied to homestead on a ranch in Wyoming on the North Wood River. Their two oldest children were born Winona and Melvin.

Winona was born December 19, 1918 at the height of the flu epidemic that swept America following World War I. Viola was so ill and weak that if without her mother Ann Eliza and her husband Millard's constant care, love and nursing she would never have lived. When Viola was well enough to leave, Ann Eliza took the small premature baby by train back to Lyman to take care of till Viola was strong enough to travel. Viola then came and spent months in gaining complete recovery. Ann Eliza came again when Melvin was born March 14, 1921. Viola's youngest child, Lloyd Brough Massey, was born at her parents' home in Bountiful on May 14, 1924.

Viola and Millard loved their children very much, and they lived a happy, wonderful life together even if their home was a humble, poor one. It was always filled with happiness and concern and care that their children were taught honesty, truthfulness and a high regard for education. Winona recalls that when trees were planted, her parents would remark, "The fruit we sell from these trees will help to pay for your college education." It was sad their hopes never came to pass, as Viola died of pneumonia February 9, 1930. Millard was very ill too; and though he lived to be 77 years old, he never seemed to recover and face life as he had before Viola's death. His plans always held forth to make it in mining so he could repay his sister Jessie who raised his three children his other brothers and sisters and Viola's family. As is so often the case he was never able to. He went to his death sad and unhappy that his hopes were only dreams.

Both Viola and Millard were kind, gentle loving people. They came from this type of people and family meant so much to them.

Winona attended Brigham Young University, graduating in June of 1942 with a B.S. degree and holding both elementary and secondary teaching certificates. She was privileged to have her loved relatives attend the commencement exercise-including her grandfather Samuel Richard Brough, Uncle Arthur and Aunt Eveline Bjorkman, Uncle Myron and Aunt Emily Holbrook, Aunt Jessie Massey Wall, Aunt Hazel Massey Gurr and daughter Joy. Winona was the first granddaughter of Samuel Richard Brough to graduate from college. Winona taught social studies in the Uintah School District for twenty-six years. Most of the teaching was at the high school and later the junior high school in Vernal, Utah. Enjoyable, wonderful full years of service. She left Vernal in June of 1969 and has lived in southern Utah the remaining years. First few months in Washington, then Hurricane, a year and a half in Salt Lake City, then they moved back to southern Utah to a home in LaVerkin across the Virgin River from Hurricane. She is married to Ivan Augustus Odle, known to all as Bud. They had no children.

Melvin Richard Massey lived in Montana most of his adult life. He was married to Elaine Schlachter. They had six children: Rance Leon, Shelley, Victoria (Vicky), Loralee, Milton, and Gayle Ann. Melvin was in the mining business. He was an exceptionally hard worker and was mechanically inclined. He operated large machinery. He was a good welder, thanks to Uncle Horace Brough's help to get this training.

Melvin died October 1, 1976. At the time of his death he was married to Charlotte Massey and they had one daughter, Ronalee. Melvin is buried in Sheridan, Montana in the beautiful Ruby Valley.

Lloyd Brough Massey married Marion Schmerbach and they have one daughter, Victoria Lynn (Vicky). They live in South Lake Tahoe, California. Lloyd has his own business "The Massey." He has done very well in his business. He has a lovely home in an ideal location within a few miles of beautiful Lake Tahoe. He undoubtedly has the most brilliant mind of the three of us. A proud sister's remark, isn't it?

As is the usual case in families, Viola's three children have looks and appearances, expressions and temperaments of both parents. They are proud of their heritage and feel so fortunate to have had stalwart ancestors. Both the Brough and Massey grandparents came west because of the church.

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