Daughter of William James Smith and Julia Ann Hammer

Married Willard Bingham, 7 Jun 1890, Mexico

Children - Clara Bingham, William Smith Bingham, LeRoy Smith Bingham, Adelia Bingham, Thomas Smith Bingham, Uvada Bingham, Hyrum Smith Bingham, Viola Bingham, Leah Bingham, Eldon Smith Bingham

Married James Hanson, 4 Aug 1925

History - Clara attended school in Smithfield, and through the years met and won many lifelong friends. She married Willard Bingham in Mexico, 7 June 1890; she was his third wife. They lived in Mexico two and 1/2 years, in Star Valley two years, and in Ogden four years, then they moved to Amalga, Utah.

She was the mother of 11 children. She and her husband were united in all that was done, never quarreling or arguing. Decisions were made between them. Never any profanity. Willard held the office of High Priest in the Melchizedek Priesthood and was always respected as the head of the family.

As his third family were growing up, he taught them his religion and went very regularly into the temple at Logan, Utah, with them to do work for the dead.

In 1911, Willard was the victim of a severe case of paralysis, which rendered him helpless for many months. During this time Clara remained very close. She was indeed wholeheartedly devoted to his care and attention, until 19 March 1913, when he passed away. He was laid to rest in the Ogden City Cemetery.

Following the death of her husband, adjustments were difficult, but the family was a wonderful support to her. Clara lived in Amalga during the summer months with her family, where she could assist in the operation of the farm. The family also maintained a home in Smithfield, where she could spend the winter months while the children attended school.

Throughout her life it was her desire to be kind to everyone. She was a devoted church member, with a testimony of the divinity of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and that the Prophet Joseph Smith was indeed a Prophet of God.

She passed away in her home at Smithfield, Utah, 18 October 1925. She was laid to rest in the Smithfield City Cemetery.

Willard Bingham filled a mission to California, 1857-59. Following his release from his mission, and his return to Utah, he moved to Ogden Valley, where he engaged in farming, dairying, and the lumber business. In this connection he operated a sawmill in Ogden Canyon. He furnished lumber for many of homes in West Weber. (Bingham Canyon, now so noted for the enormous output of copper ore, and other metals, derived its name from the Bingham family.) In 1878 he moved his family to what is now know as Amalga, Utah.

Willard spent his last years in Amalga and Smithfield, Utah. He died at the age of eighty three. His ambition was to help "make the desert blossom as a rose."

The above information were obtained from the book called, Descendants of Erastus Bingham and Lucinda Gates and an article written by Dorothy Jones Christiansen made available through the National Society Daughters of the Utah Pioneers.

Utah Death Certificate