Susette Bosshard (Hafen)
(Written by Susette Hafen Leavitt, a daughter. Contributed by Vicki Lasswell of Santa Clara from family histories. Copied by Georgene Cahoon Evans, Washington City Historical Society, February 1993).
Susette Bosshard was born in Turpenthal, Canton Zürich, Switzerland. There she met John Hafen, a Mormon missionary, who she later married. Some time after her baptism, Susette Bosshard and her family came to America in company with other saints from Switzerland. The migration didn’t end with reaching America, however, for preparation then had to be made for the long trek across the plains, which would take fully as long as the first part of their journey.
Although the trial across the plains proved full of hardships and sacrifices, no dramatic incidents occurred, and the wagon train arrived safely in Salt Lake City in September.
Soon after arriving in Salt Lake, Susette Bosshard, her family and other saints from Switzerland, were called to form the Swiss Company and settle in southern Utah. Before leaving, Susette Bosshard and John Hafen were married in the Endowment House on October 18, 1861, as they had been advised to do by President Brigham Young.
Susette’s entire family had been called to the Santa Clara mission, where her father died after just a short time. Her brother, Herman, went to San Bernardino to work. He was so impressed with the beautiful country there in contrast to the hot, swampy and disease-ridden Santa Clara area, that he persuaded their mother and the other children to go there with him.
Thus, Susette was left all but alone in a strange and hard country. She and her family remained devoted to each other and exchanged letters for many years, but Susette soon had a home and children of her own to relieve the ache of separation from her immediate family.
As it were, home was very simple and perhaps even crude. Meager furnishings were obtained gradually. Emphasis was placed on serviceability and necessity rather than comfort or frills. All cooking was done on a coal or wood stove. Evenings were spent companionable about an open-hearth fireplace.
The little family was nearly self-sufficient, providing most of the necessities themselves. Their food, produced at home, showed little variety, but it was not scanty or scarce. Molasses was a common article at mealtime, along with milk and homemade butter. Susette baked all the bread and dried, bottled and pickled such foodstuffs as could be preserved through the winter months. They also raised and cured all their own meat.
Susette’s husband, John, spent much of his time on the road. He peddled not only his own surplus produce, but also, since he was bishop, all merchandise paid as tithing. He was able to trade the tithing goods for money at Silver Reef (Utah), and Delamar and Pioche in Nevada.
Kindness was an outstanding quality in Susette. She disliked suffering and was concerned about even the domestic animals. She felt hurt if they were neglected or abused. In her sympathetic, generous, big-hearted way, she was always ready to serve and help anyone in need. The Indians loved her, because she was always kind to them and often gave them food or clothing.
Susette was also a very lovely and talented woman. She gave freely of her time and talents as well as her material possessions. She, along with other members of the ward, often sang the old familiar Swiss songs in their fast service. Susette would accompany the singing on the organ. She loved to give readings especially in the Swiss language, at social gatherings.
Susette was very devoted to her children, and they too, in turn, were devoted to her and to each other. Even after the children were grown and married, they would return each Sunday afternoon with their children and spend much time together. They enjoyed each other and made much of being together.
It must be remembered that in rearing her babies, Susette had no medical help. Infant mortality then was high, for chills and fever and all manner of sickness was prevalent. In such a swampy environment, mosquitoes and consequently malaria were a constant menace. There were also frequent cases of malnutrition. However, it might be said that the children, who did live to grow up, were husky and strong, perhaps moreso then than now. They seemed able to work ceaselessly without tiring.
Susette accepted all these conditions as part of the life she had chosen to live. She struggled and sacrificed uncomplainingly for the gospel, which was always uppermost in her life. Always she strived to be true to her ideals and standards.
Perhaps her greatest trials came with polygamy. After she and John had been married fourteen years, he felt that he should comply with the teachings of the Church and marry other wives. Although Susette opposed and dreaded such marriages, John did as he believed he must and married other women. In all he had four wives. Susette and one other wife lived in Santa Clara; one lived in Bunkerville, and the other in Washington (Anna Mary Elizabeth Huber Hafen.)
Though John was absent a great deal before, he was now away even more frequently. Susette found life in polygamy a terrible strain.
However, her devotion and love for her children remained the same, as was shown in many ways. The family lived and worked together even after the children were married.
The farm, cattle, and property were held in common. Each married child had a home, but plowing and care of the livestock was done as a family unit, each married child having definite duties; such as, care of the cattle, fruit, etc.
This continued until after all the sons were married. As the family group increased in number, individual interest in separate homes became manifest and it was deemed advisable for each to be given his portion and carry on independently.
Susette was an example of loving motherhood. Her home was her castle and she never went very far from it. Her life and services were given willingly for her children. She was a good neighbor and enjoyed her friends. Much time was spent in visiting.
As a pioneer mother, it was up to her and others like her to provide amusement and recreation for their children and the community.
Mothers today sometimes don’t feel their obligations of staying home and rearing their children. Careers and jobs often interfere. We are fortunate to be able to look back to such devotion, love and faith as is exemplified in Susette Bosshard Hafen.
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