Saga of the Sanpitch Vol 30

Early Swiss-German, Scandinavian Ancestors

in the Salt Lake area and since many were skilled artisans and craftsmen they were sent to Manti to help work on the Temple The early Swiss-German residents had surnames like Alder Brox Frischknecht Garbe Buehler Keller Kenner and Reusch Many of these names are still prominent in Manti Mr Buehler wassash and door-maker and hadshop where Manti Elementary School Playground is now located The Kenners hadsawmill powered bywaterwheel near the mouth of Manti Canyon for many years It was later owned and operated by Andrew Anderson and subsequently Andrew Madsen Andersons would deliver the rough lumber cement and nails around town withone-horse wagon Rough-hewn lumber was hauled to the Buchanan Planing Mill east of Main Street on First South between Will NielsonBlacksmith Shop and the Creek Thad Buchananfather wasfurniture casket and carriage maker and was also one of the early settlers Gerald purchased the Mill from Thad Buchanan in 1942 and operated it until 1969 The first permanent houses built in Manti were made of logs but when the rock-quarry was opened up for Temple construction the lesser grade rock became available for the construction of houses barns walls and many other structures It was originally inteded to build terraces around the Temple Hill using the limestone rock for retaining walls and this was actually done However the decision was later made to remove the walls and plant lawn instead The rock in the retaining walls was later used to build the high walls on the east side of the Temple and the remainder was hauled away by Manti citizens to build houses barns and walls some of which are still standing Another early craftsman was Hiram Thygerson Scandinavian who wascarpet weaver He would weave carpets out of old rags and make them about three feet wide and several feet long He eventually went blind and was called The Blind Carpet Weaver