Church Callings, Faithfulness, and Character (Lisonbee Account 7)

This is sadly the last entry in Eda Kohlhepp Lisonbee's short history of her father, but I am very grateful to have found it. The last memories and facts she writes are these:

Father was a faithful L. D. S. He was a High Priest, he was a home missionary from American Falls to Malad for 20 years and preached in all the communitites [sic.] and valleys. He was Ward Clerk at Neely and American Falls for many years.

He lived and taught his children the Gospel and the finer things of life. He was always a gentleman. His daughters were always proud to go out with him.

Not long ago I attended Sacrament meeting at Grants Pass, Oregon. The Bishop was Davis Staufer who had been raised near American Falls. He spoke in the meeting, telling the people about father, how he was always a gentleman. He was always dressed neat and clean. He had never seen father without a coat. He also waid [sic.] what a good man he was. I am proud to be a daughter of Frederick John Kohlhepp, and I hope I can hand down to my children some of the things my father taught me.

Written by Eda Kohlhepp Lisonbee
August 28, 1959

My commentary:

1. Church callings. Eda fills us in on Fred's church callings throughout his life. She notes that he did 20 years of home missionary work (likely referring to his calling as a seventy). I wonder if all those years of work on the homefront encouraged him to go on a fulltime mission in Germany. Apparently, preaching the gospel to those around him was no challenge for him. We also learn of his being ordained to be a High Priest (was this standard procedure to ordain someone a high priest if they reached a certain age, or did it signify something else? Did it come with being called to be say, the Ward clerk?) and that he served as a clerk, which would suit his well-educated background.

2. Fred's Gentlemanly attire and personality. Fred seems to have been known for his constant good manners, which he probably learned in Boston. According to Staufer, Fred always watched his appearance and wore a coat. What a strange sight that must have been in rural Idaho and Arizona! Perhaps it worked well in the cold winters, but it seems rather a strange attire for the climate during much of the year.

3. Child's Pride. It looks like Eda really loved her father, and enjoyed having his company. Minerva expressed the same sentiments in many accouts herself. It is impressive how gentlemanly and kind Fred was able to be even with all his illness and suffering. He seems to have inspired goodness in his children.