George
William Larkin was born in Chesterton, Cambridgeshire, England, April
1, 1847. He received his early training and education under the
influence of those masters of learning at the great college city of
Cambridge, and this seemed always to give him an impetus to acquire
knowledge and achieve success in his life’s efforts.
At fourteen years of age, Mr. Larkin saved two young boys by the name of
Toppin from drowning in the Cam River, England; and the next month
saved the life of a clergyman, the Rev. C.C. Clark, from a similar fate.
For these acts, Queen Victoria of England, awarded him the Royal
Humane Society bronze medal on May 31, 1861. Thanks services were held
for him for three successive Sundays in Trinity Cathedral, Cambridge.
When visiting England in 1908 the British Government offered him a gold
medal provided he would return the bronze medal that it might be place
in the National Museum, Mr. Larkin declined the offer. From the
Clergyman whose life he saved a Bible was received which remains a
valued possession by his family.
June 2, 1863, Mr. Larkin came to the United States traveling to Salt
Lake City, Utah, and crossed the plains in Capt McCarthy’s pioneer
company.
George married Barbara Anne McKensie. He divorced her after she ran
away with a soldier while George was doing church business. He then
married Ann Lane. He had three sons, and five daughters:
George
William Jr., Emily Ann, Elijah Allen, Sarah Jane, Alma James, Zina Ruth,
Ellen Elizabeth, Josephine Pearl.
He lived during one of the marvelous periods of this nation. He saw the
growth of Utah from a primitive condition up to one of widespread
beauty. He saw the desert developed to “blossom like the rose.”
His own
home on 27th street which the family occupied for over half a century
was surrounded by a beautiful flower garden and shrubs calling forth
admiration.
In the year 1885 George founded The Larkin and Sons Mortuary, in Ogden
Utah. It later spread to Salt Lake, Brigham City, and Los Angeles. The
business was eventually managed by Elijah A. Larkin of Ogden, Alma J.
Lakin of Salt Lake City and Lyles W. Larkin of Los Angeles.
The whole effort of George W. Larkin was to create an atmosphere of
cheer, fellowship and assistance among all those with whom he came in
contact.
He was a definite, dynamic character and shed a wonderful
influence where he went. The outstanding characteristics of his life
were his love for God, his fellowmen, and his country, which came to him
through his natural instincts, his extensive study of the Holy
Scriptures, and his wide variety of life experiences.
Because of him the personnel of The Larkin and Sons Mortuary truly
believe that there is beauty in real sympathy; but there is even more,
there is action. The noble and most powerful form of sympathy is not
merely the responsive tear, the echoed sigh, the answering look; it is
the embodiment of the sentiment in actual, helpful service.
At the time of his demise, in Salt Lake City on June 13, 1927 he was
survived by three daughters and two sons, seventeen grandchildren and
four great grandchildren. He was buried in Odgen City, Weber County,
Utah.
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George William Larkin |