Rickie Ella Wagner

Rickie Ella Wagner was born 1 December 1884 in Altamont, Deuel, South Dakota to Christian Wagner and Anna Augusta Scheef. 

She is 3 years old when the "Great Blizzard of '88" hits the Dakotas. 

That Spring her family moved to Cleveland, Tennessee. Later they moved on to Sequatchie, where her father got a job at a sawmill. They lived near the Sequatchie River for a few years and the whole family became sick with Malaria. Rosa (Rickie's sister) got yellow jaundice and chilled all summer.

By 1891 the family has moved to Marion county where they rented a large farm on top of Cumberland mountain. They lived there until they moved to Utah 1905.

She married Edgar Lawrence Pryor on 8 July 1900 in Sequatchie, Marion, Tennessee. She was 15 years old. 

She joined the church with her family November 12th 1902. She was just shy of her 18th birthday.

She had 7 children:

Anna Pearl Pryor

Ruth Barbara Pryor

Bessie Gladys Pryor

Lawrence Edgar Pryor

Lucile Pryor

Janice Pryor

Noel Wagner Pryor

After Edgar died, she married again twice:

1st John Frank Thorne born abt 1882, Died 1933, Married 9 Sept. 1931.

2nd James David Thorne born abt 1882 Died 20 May 1949, Married 31 May 1940.

She fell and broke her hip died in a Salt Lake hospital on 23 September 1958. She is buried in the Salt Lake City Cemetery. 

Newspapers:

News dated Feb 14 1901

Mrs. Edgar L. Pryor who was here visiting her parents Mr. and Mrs. Chris Wagner for several days returned home Saturday.

Sequatchie Valley News  August 24, 1905

Left for Utah

Mr. and Mrs. Chris Wagner and family left Friday evening on the "Cannonball" for Chattanooga, where they where joined by Edgar L. Pryor and family and left Monday for Salt Lake City, Utah, near where three of their children are already comfortably located. The Wagoners had always been known for industry, and we have not the slightest doubt that they will do well in their new home. We were very sorry to see them leave as they have the sturdy qualities that, if given a chance, comprise the town-builder. "Chris"  will take up his old trade of carpenter, at which he is an A-1 workman, and "Edgar" will make patterns,in a foundry. The distance the party will travel is only 2,700 miles, or four days and nights travel, and a single fare costs $50, consequently it will cost in a neighborhood of $400 to get the party to Utah. 

The News will publish in a few weeks a letter from Mr Wagner replying to the many inquires of friends regarding the country, its conditions and resources.

The continued unfavorable seasons, for fruit and vegetables raising in this section is largely responsible for their move. They depended on the production of fruits and vegetables to make a living on their mountain place six miles west of here, but for the past three years the crops have been cut off by frost or drought nearly one-half. This year the majority of the fruit winter-killed, and three successive frosts during the spring finished up the balance, even the wild blackberries which are supposed to be exceptionally hardy, were killed. Hence prospects were very discouraging, and they resolved on a move. We hope they find what they seek in their new location, and will have a full measure of success.

In the party were Mr. and Mrs. Chris Wagner, Miss Edith Wagner, and Rilla (Marilla), Ruth, Esther, Ed, Ben, George and Maude Wagner, Mr. and Mrs. E. L. Pryor, and children Annie and Ruth.

Census:

1900 Census:

Rickie is listed as 15 years old--living in Marion, Tennessee.  Lists birth place as South Dakota.

1910:

She is listed as 25 years old living in Garfield, Salt Lake, Utah.  She is married and has three children at home: Anna, Ruth, and Bessie.

1920:

She is 35 and living in Salt Lake City.  Married and has 5 children at home: Anna, Ruth, Bessie, Lawrence, and Lucile.  It also says that she can speak English, read and write. 

1930:

She is widowed living at 841 West 6th South in Salt Lake City home value at $3500.  It states that she owns a radio set, can read and write.  She is listed as a store keeper for a grocery store.  She has 4 children at home: Lawrence, Lucile, Janice, and Noel. 

1940:

Listed as married (last name Thorn on Census).  Census as taken April 8, 1940.  Her second husband passed away on 12 January 1933 and she has not married her 3rd husband until 31 May 1940.  Occupation is listed as a Canner at the Bishop Storehouse. Owns her home and valued at $2800 and listed at 841 West 6th South. Highest Grade completed was the 6th grade. Income for 1939 was $230. Two children listed at home: Janice and Noel.