The Autobiography of Ruth Tagg Caley

Dad was always there with some good advice if asked for it but he also let us do things onour own as long as it went with respect for others and good manners and did not infringe on otherrights.This is dad as I remember him...John Thomas CaleyBy Esther Caley ThompsonJohn Caley was 26 years old and his wife Blanch Maude Crick was 20 years old whenthey had their first child. It was a beautiful baby boy, and they named him John Thomas. Johnafter his father and Thomas after his grandfather. John Thomas was born on August 15, 1892 inBallarat, Victoria, Australia. Ballarat was a gold mining town up in the hills. Eleven childrenwere born to John and Maude over the next 17 years. They had 8 sons and 3 daughters. JohnThomas was the first bone, followed by Henry in 1894. Then came the first girl, and they namedher Clara. She was born in 1896. Charles was born in 1897 followed by Thomas in 1899. In1901 the second girl was born her name was Rachel May. She died the following year at oneyear of age. Then James came in 1903, and in 1905 another son was born but died at one month.They named him William. Then came Joseph in 1906. Rebecca Millicent (Millie) was born in1909 and David came the next year in 19 10. David lived only 10 years and died from heartproblems. Charles died in a motorcycle accident when he was 28 years old. Henry died in thewar. He was 21 years old.John's father worked in the mines and developed lung problems. The doctor advised himto go to Tasmania where the air was better to breathe. One of the sons went with him while Johnstayed home to help his mother. The dad died in Tasmania and was buried there. John was 18years old when his father died. He now became the father to his younger brothers and sisters.When John was a little boy, something happened to him that left him crippled. Some sayit was polio, I was told that he had been dropped while still a baby. Anyway, he becamecrippled, never to walk normal like other people. When he was young he wore braces on hislegs. This did not stop him from achieving his goals.In the spring before his 20th birthday, he received his Second Class certificate ofCompetency as Engine Driver. This entitled him to drive any engine used for mining purposes.At the age of 24 years old, John was baptized and confirmed a member of The Church ofJesus Christ of Latter- day Saints.After John had helped his mother raise the children, he came to the United States: henever returned to Australia or saw his family again. The missionary, who baptized him, lived inUtah. John used recreation as the purpose in entering the United States. It was the easiest wayRuth Tagg Caley pg 64