Davies Family History

The Davies family in 1843 left South Wales to join with the main body of Latter-Day Saints in search of a new life in a new far-off land. They came west to Utah in the summer of 1857 and settled with other families in Southern Utah at Fort Harmony. Fort Harmony was at the time the southern most outpost of the expansion south and the headquarters of the Southern Utah Mission.

In 1888 William Davies, Denny Davies grandfather, was born in Escalante, Utah. He married Esther Hamblin in 1914 where they later homesteaded in Talmage. They built a small board floor, dirt roof log cabin and they bought 175 head of sheep to summer graze. In 1916, William Lyman Davies, Denny Davies' father, was born. A few years later William's herd of sheep expanded to 1400 head. (In the Depression William lost everything).


Lyman and Helen Davies	Denny and Mom	Davies Family


Denny and Helen Davies	Denny and Dad	Lyman Davies

Davies Lodge

William was a man of gentle nature, his work ethic and faith extended from a long line of hard working ancestors. William left a legacy to his family. He built a small cabin at Upper Stillwater in the high Uintah mountains in 1940.

In 1949, he began building a lodge, one mile south of the original cabin. In 1951, the Lodge was completed and began being used to accommodate fisherman and visitors--a dream come true for "Willie". Horse pack trips to the lakes were a main attraction for most visitors.

The first year Denny came to visit and help out in the fishing and pack trips was 1951. The fishing and guide business was successful. William provided meals for customers and lodging when needed.


Davies Lodge	Davies' Resort Sign

Denny had a great interest in horses from an early age, and this "tied into" what his Grandfather was doing with the Lodge. 'Willie's' grandchildren came to visit and work at the ranch at Rock Creek which had a special meaning to Denny. Denny spent his summer's working as wrangler and guide as well as helping with many other chores. Denny helped "Willie" in breaking pack horses and acquired his knowledge and experience of breaking and training horses, including shoeing. Denny worked with him from 1951 to 1957. Willie's vision of building a business in the mountains brought unity to his family and brought them together on many occasions.

The Lodge, which is still standing and operating under Rock Creek Lodge, has instilled many happy memories for Denny.


Denny	Denny on Dolly


Denny on Dolly	Denny on Dolly


Davies Family at Davies' Lodge	Davies' Lodge


Davies' Lodge	Uncle David Davies at Davies Lodge


Denny and Jerry Adams	First cabin in Upper Stillwater


William Davies at first lodge	Fishing at Davies' Lodge


Having a "good 'ol time" at The Lodge	Grandpa Willy Davies and Wells Robertson

Horseback Riding
at The Lodge


Memorial to William Davies from Jerry Adams and Denny	Old-time Pick-up Truck


Trail-riding at The Lodge	Willy Davies


Willy and a huge deer	William Davies

William's Deer Hunting Liscence

William Davies' Social Security Card Signature

Jacob Hamblin

Denny's Great, Great, Great Grandfather, Jacob Hamblin, came from Salem Ohio in 1819 and passed away in 1886. Jacob Hamblin left an everlasting impression from his life-long work. He was known as the "Buckskin Apostle"--peacemaker with the Paiute Indians. He was a devoted churchman. He traveled in his younger years with John Wesley Powell, exploring areas of Arizona, Utah, including the Grand Canyon.

He later built a stone home from the stone of the flooded fort in Santa Clara, Utah, near St. George--which is declared a Historic Landmark. The Paiute Indians helped gather the stones to build this home. Jacob Hamblin even had "schools" in his home for the Indian children.

William Davies donated the saddle of Jacob Hamblin to the home which is now as a museum in Santa Clara. Jacob's Lake in Arizona and the center park in Kanab is named after him.