Pharo was one of the nephews of Hyrum S. Arnoldson who came out to White River Valley several years after the turn of the century. He worked on the Moon River Ranch for his uncle. He was born in Moroni, Utah, 6 January 1895 to Hans J. and Mary A. Mallison Arnoldson. When he came to Preston he met and married Neva Morley, the daughter of George Franklin Morley Jr. and Lula Pearl Whitlock. Neva was born 18 September 1902 at Georgetown, Nevada, north of Ely, now the Georgetown Ranch.
Pharo and Neva were very active in both church and community. It's hard to realize just how busy some people can be. Pharo along with raising 6 boys and 1 girl had a large farm, a herd of 30 dairy cows and 300 to 500 head of pigs. He gathered Lund and Preston's night milk and separated it at Preston just below their home in the old creamery where the separator was turned by a water wheel. The skim milk was used to feed the pigs. About 500 gallons of milk was separated each night which took until about midnight. Vance McKenzie would pick up the cream along with the morning milk and take it to Ely to the Ely Ice Cream and Dairy Company. Along with these chores, Pharo had time to do custom cutting and threshing of grain as he and Dan Nicholas owned a thresher together and later they bought a combine machine. They went to Lund, Duckwater, White River, Currant Creek and Bothwick, north of Ely, to do custom work. Pharo was also secretary for the White River water board, served on the school board, was Bishop of the ward twice and served as counselor to his uncle, Bishop Hyrum Arnoldson. He was also active with the Boy Scouts.
Neva, along with raising her 7 children, made most of their clothes, did washing and ironing for some neighbors, always had a big garden, made all of her soap, baked bread every other day, and put out the nicest wash every day by hand on a washboard. Later she got a gas motor washer (Maytag), then later an electric one. She sewed on the old treadle sewing n:achine. At one time she decided Preston needed something different, so she would have ice cream come down from Ely on Saturday, and on Sunday after Sunday School she would sell ice cream cones, sundaes, and banana splits. She was active in the church and played the piano and organ for different church services. Neva liked to write poems. Here is one she wrote about when Lund and Preston invited each other to their Old Folks' Party.
"To The Old Folks of Preston and Lund"
As Old Residents of Preston, we wish to say
Thanks for the invitation that each year comes our way.
We really appreciate it, and want you to know
That we're very glad to be remembered at such times, (just so)
At the end of an old year and the beginning of the new
Our thoughts turn to times we have spent with you.
Eating, singing, dancing, "Oh yes, there were sad times too."
But always mingling together as neighbors should do.
No matter how far we have traveled away,
We shall never be as happy or young or gay
As we were in that part of God's country fair,
All as pioneers we traveled there
To help one another to build and to be
What we thought God would want, you see.
We can't remember much sorrow or strife
Loving and living a pioneer's life.
We hope you enjoyed your Old Folks' Party,
And we also hope there were many guests hale and hearty
Who accepted your invitation to be there
To sit in that Old Folks' Circle in a Rocking Chair.
We have visited many parties for the old folks here,
But none are better than yours, never fear.
The way you plan them and keep the spirit alive,
Is something to cherish and we know you'd win the prize.
If one was given for the kind of love and concern
You have for your old folks who appreciate and yearn
To come next time if the weather permits,
To listen to songs, stories and skits.
To play the games, dance and just reminisce
With friends, neighbors and the pretty young miss
Who comes and gives her service and time,
For the love of the old and the young sublime.
So press on through the years, Do the best you know how,
And think once in a while of us "then" and "now".
Pharo and Neva's family added to the population of the small town. Jay Pharo, their first child, was born 19 June 1921. He married Venice Jackman of Preston. Carol George was born 3 November 1922 (died July 1978), married Maxine Hale of Alamo, Nevada. Darwin Hans was born 1 February 1925, married Betty Rae Oakerland of Salina, Utah. Marion Hyrum was born 21 September 1926, married Colleen Lake of Ely, Nevada. Ronald Earl (David Kay) was born 12 March 1929, married Mary Sealy of Canada. Larry Morley was born 14 July 1933, married Marilee Mohlman of Elko, Nevada. Mary Lou (Lula) was born 13 February 1937, married Ed Heubner of Las Vegas, Nevada.
Pharo and Neva had all six of their boys in the service at the same time.
In 1942 Pharo and Neva sold their farm to James Jensen, and moved to Ely where he worked for a while for Wilson Bates. After a couple of moves he ended up in Las Vegas where he worked for the County Airport as a gardener. He retired in 1972 and passed away in March of 1975. Neva still lives in Las Vegas and will be 79 years old in September 1980. She lives alone and does all her own cooking and housework. Three of her boys and her daughter live in Las Vegas and keep an eye on her. She hopes some day she can move back to Preston or Lund.
Written and submitted by:
Marion Arnoldson