I was born in Ogden, Weber, Utah on 14 July 1883, a daughter of William Gimbert and Amelia Ann Batchelor sanders. I was born in a house located on what is now 22nd street, but at the time of my birth it was called 2nd street. I was the eighth child of nine children, seven brothers and one sister.
When I was our years old, we moved from Ogden to Uintah where I loved until I was married. My father died in June 1888 just before I was five years old. When I was seven years old I fell and dislocated my elbow and broke my arm above the elbow in several places. Most of my schooling up to the eighth grade was in Uintah. My mother accidentally shot through the head when I was nine and I was taken to Ogden for a time where I attended the Washington School for one year.
I helped my mother on a small farm and in the house. I did washings for the family when I was bt 12 years of age, and our washings were done on a washboard in a tub. I went to church in the school house at first, then they built a small frame church house, which was recently burned down.
When I was 16 years of age I was called to teach sunday school. I first taught the 2nd Intermediate, then primary class, and as this class moved into the 1st Intermediate, they wanted me to remain as their teacher, so I became a teacher of the 1st Intermediate class.
From 1903 to 1904 I attended Weber Stake Academy, but only went one year because of my mothers poor health. My brothers attended the Academy and my mother and I prepared enough food to last them for each week and they rented a room and batched it. Each weekend I would launder their clothes and we wold prepare food for the following week.
On 30 January, 1907, I was married to John William Byington in the Salt Lake Temple. We raised a family of ten children, seven boys and three girls. My mother in law lived with us for 19 years, until she died in 1925 at the age of 77 years.
We had a hard struggle to make a living and I worked out on the farm as well as doing my housework and taking care of my children. My children had most of the communicable diseases but with the Lords help they came out alright and all ten of them are living today. They are all good to me. Five of my sons were in World War II. I wrote to them every day. They all returned home safely after the war was over. Three of my son in laws were also in the war.
On February 1949, my husband died and if it weren't for my children, I would leave a lonely life. I was only 54 years old at the time. My son Earl and his family moved in after my husband died. Earl runs the farm with his children helping him. We were crowded that first year until he added two rooms onto the back of the house. I have a living room, kitchen, and bedroom and they live in the rest of the house.
I have been a relief society teacher for about 35 years. Sometimes we would walk 3 miles to get our teaching done.
When I was 30 years old I was operated on for gall stones and if it hadn't been for the priesthood I would have died. I have had 4 major operations and kidney trouble and broken bones and now I have arthritis in my legs and arms, but am very thankful that I can get arond.
I spend a lot of my time crocheting and painting. I have crocheted 26 bedspreads, 5 table clothes, 7 afghans, 25 baby jackets, bonnets and booties, 27 poodles, and about 300 doilies, three stoles, besides hotplate covers, hot pads, and lace on pillow cases and handkerchiefs. I gave one bedspread to the Children's Primary Hospital because they help so many children including my granddaughter. I do a lot of stencil painting on pillowcases, scarves, tablecloths, and other things. I enjoy doing things like this and it helps as a pass time.
One year I sent two bedspreads and some doilies to the Utah State Fair and received three red ribbons and some money as prizes. I sold one bedspread to Mrs. Gibby of Roy and one to Emma Lou Fowers, and my children and grandchildren have the rest, except the ones I gave as presents. I have painted 18 pictures and gave them to my children and grandchildren.
On my 80th birthday an open house was held for me in the Hooper 2nd Ward cultural hall. About 300 friends and relatives came to see me and I surely enjoyed seeing so many of them again. On my 81st birthday a party was given for me at my oldest daughters home in Layton, for all my sons and daughters and their wives and husbands. I visited with all my children. Birthday gifts, mothers day gifts, and Christmas gifts keep me spoiled with nearly everything that I need.
I attend church nearly every Sunday and I sure enjoy seeing my friends and learning more about the gospel.
-Written by Charlotte Saunders Byington, 5 Febrary 1965
Charlotte Saunders Byington died on 17 march 1980 in Roy, Weber, Utah and was buried in the Hooper Cemetary 20 March 1980 beside her husband.