Son of James Ellis Shirts and Lydia Musetta Workman

Married Ruth Harward on July 23, 1915, in Duchesne, Duchesne, Utah

History. Lesley James was born February 4, 1896, in Lone Tree, Wyoming to James Ellis Shirts & Lydia Musetta Workman, who themselves were second-generation pioneers. Lesley had red hair. During his childhood the family moved to Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, remaining there for several years. While he was still a boy the family lived for a time in Provo, Utah.

Lesley was married to Ruth Harwood on July 23, 1915. Ruth met Lesley at a party. Her sister Retta & Mother drove a one-horse buggy to the party at Wilson's house in Mountain Home, Utah. Lesley took her home in her buggy and left his horse (Tabby) tied by the schoolhouse. His brother Bert was suppose to ride it home. For some reason, Bert didn't go. So, it was still tied to the fence! The President of the Y.M.M.I.A. told a big long story about Lelsey being so excited about meeting a new girl in town, that he completely forgot his horse and left him tied to a post all night. This horse Tabby was white and he was a one-man horse he wouldn't let anyone double if he could help it. Lesley would have Ruth ride Tabby post a pole fence. Lesley would stand on the top pole of the fence as Ruth rode by where Lesley was and he would leap on behind Ruth and off on the date they would go. Their date consisted mostly of dances and parties for a group of young people. Later their marriage was solemnized in the Salt Lake Lake Temple on August 15, 1917.

They were a menace to the Muskrat population in Oregon, that he raised for their pelts. Lesley was very strong. In the winters he exercised with Chining Bars and Punching bag. He could chin up 10-20 times with one of their kids hanging on each leg.

Lesley was a hard worker and a good worker. The years we spent in Utah were very hard for him, long hours and very poor pay. The depression was very hard on the Utah Valley and everyone in it. He would work all day, and irrigate for about an hour three or four times a night. He never got so tired that he wasn't able to go to work.

Lesley & Ruth moved to Hailey in the mines. It was a very hard job but Lesley did pretty well in relation to the wages of the day. Later he worked as a flotation man and foreman of his shift. There was a fire and the mill burnt down. He went to work as a carpenter for Union Pacific Railroad at Sun Valley, Idaho. Ruth at times worked as a maid at Sun Valley.

Lesley served in many positions in the Church, such as in the leadership of the Sunday School and in Bishoprics. He was a Seventy for years and served three years as a stake missionary in Blaine Stake, being released in 1948. From 1964 to 1966 they served a full-time mission in the Southern Sates Mission.

He always loved to read. Radio was such a wonderful thing they could always hear the latest song and learn the words and sing along.

Ruth passed away on 16 August 1974 in Hailey, Idaho. Lesley passed away on 26 July 1978 in Idaho Falls, Bonneville, Idaho. They both are buried in Hailey Cemetery in Hailey, Idaho.