March was Women’s History Month, and over the past several weeks my thoughts have turned to some of the incredible women who have done great things for South Jordan over the past 165 years. I would like to highlight a few of them with appreciation.
Ann Holt was born in England in 1827. Together with her husband Matthew Holt, and his parents, she came to the United States, eventually making their way to Utah as members of the McArthur Wagon Train Company. When they arrived in Salt Lake City in October of 1863, they met James Oliver, who brought the Holt family to South Jordan. Eight people lived in their one room dugout on the bank of the Jordan River, with a fireplace, dirt floors, and a dirt roof. Matthew Holt worked hard and eventually built a three room adobe home, located at approximately 1300 West and 10300 South, where they lived for the rest of their lives.
Back in England, Ann had studied medicine and become a midwife. She delivered over 500 babies in the south end of the valley, charging $2 for the delivery, unless the family could not afford it. In that case she would pin $1 to the pillowcase and leave it for the new baby. Ann served as the first Relief Society President in South Jordan, being called in 1869 and serving for 32 years until her death in 1901 at age 74. The Holt family is one of the founding families of South Jordan, and Ann had a significant influence on shaping our new community.
Mabel Holt Nelson, known to most as “Aunt Mame,” lived nearly all of her 99 years in South Jordan. Born in 1905 in South Jordan to Samuel E. Holt and Margaret Beckstead, Aunt Mame was the oldest living resident in South Jordan when she passed in 2004. Aunt Mame was known for welcoming everyone and treating them to a bag of popcorn when they visited her home, which she inherited from her parents. In her kitchen hung a sign reading, “My home is open to sunshine, friends and guests,” and those who knew her say she lived by the words on a crossed-stitched pillow on her bed, “All things grow with love.” Aunt Mame worked as a beautician and was preceded in death by her husband, Henry. She loved her family’s farm and said of their historic home, “This is home for everyone. They are always welcome. It’s always home.” Mabel Holt Nelson was named South Jordan’s Citizen of the Year in 2000. Following that recognition she told the Deseret News, “I’ve just had a wonderful life here in South Jordan. Everyone would be blessed if they could grow up in South Jordan and live here.” Aunt Mame will always be loved and remembered here. The Samuel E. Holt Farmstead is now a community park owned by the City, with a fire pit, community gardens, restrooms, a small pavilion, and historical plaques for self-guided tours.
Luane Jensen has lived in South Jordan for the past 50 years, and her efforts have helped shape so much of what we enjoy in our city today. Together with her dear friends Jeanne Jackman and the late Jean Beckstead Batemen, along with countless others, she has served tirelessly in our community, donating hundreds of hours annually to programs, projects, and veterans in the City. Just a few of the notable endeavors Luane and her many “teammates” have been involved in include the creation of the Gale Center of History and Culture, South Jordan Town Days (now known as SoJo Summerfest), the Birthplace of South Jordan monument, and the Veteran’s Memorial Monument located at the South Jordan Cemetery. She has also been a scout leader to hundreds of young men in South Jordan over the past five decades.
In 2017 Luane was honored for her extensive volunteer service when she received the UServe Power of Service Award, a recognition from the lieutenant governor’s office. She continues to serve as a member of South Jordan’s Historical Society and as a docent at the Gale Center. She works with the City to coordinate the annual Memorial Day event at the South Jordan Cemetery, and in 2018 she began coordinating the Veteran’s Day Breakfast at the Community Center, in partnership with the City. Luane knows pretty much everything that’s happened in South Jordan over the past 50 years. She’s led by example as she’s enlisted the help of countless volunteers and scouts, secured donations, placed flags on the graves of our veterans, and honored the military service and rich history of our beautiful South Jordan. Luane has been a great influence on the way the City has grown, with an unwavering commitment to the preservation of our history. She, along with Jean and Jeanne, and so many others, have created a legacy that is ours to uphold, and we could not be more grateful for it.