Catherine Karren, was born in Liverpool, England on August 12, 1836. Her parents were Thomas Karren and Anne Ratcliffe. Her father was a native of the Isle of Man, and her mother of the old line of the Ratcliffes of Lancashire, England, whose name was derived from the red cliffs of that locality at the time of William the Conqueror, 1066. Thomas obtained employment from Mr. Ratcliffe who was the owner of a bakery, and it was there that Thomas learned his trade as a baker. Of greater importance, it was there that he met his wife, Anne, the daughter of his employer. They were married and moved out to establish their own independent bakery. Not long after they were taught the Gospel by Elder John Taylor.
Thomas and Anne Karren were caught up in the spirit of gathering; Catherine could remember the huge packing boxes used to prepare for their trip from Liverpool to America. A six-week ocean voyage brought them to New Orleans. An additional two weeks brought them up the Mississippi to the city of Nauvoo. They arrived in April of 1844; the era in which Nauvoo was at its zenith. They met and were inspired by the Prophet Joseph and saw a beautiful flourishing city. Catherine could clearly remember hearing the Prophet Joseph despite only being seven years old. Just two months later they were shocked at the martyrdom of the Prophet and his patriarch brother, Hyrum. Catherine was old enough to recall the famous meeting in August 1844 when the mantle of the Prophet Joseph fell upon Brigham Young, clearly establishing him as the Lord’s chosen successor as President and Prophet of the Church.
Thomas and Anne were endowed at midnight just before they were forced to leave Illinois and flee with the Saints into Iowa. Catherine was just ten years old at the time of their exodus. On arriving at Council Bluffs, Iowa, they learned of the plan for establishing a Mormon Battalion. Thomas was recruited and marched off to the southwest leaving his wife Anne with five children. Catherine was the second of these five and her mother Anne was expecting the sixth child. These were very difficult times. The baby was born in a wagon box during a drenching rainstorm in Iowa.
Catherine was a great help to her mother in Iowa where they raised 500 bushels of potatoes to sell. They also sold some bakery goods. Thomas returned from his duty in the Mormon Battalion and was reunited with his family after about eighteen months' absence. He returned to them in the winter of 1847-48. In the spring they set up a bakery by the roadway leading west and were blessed in a successful business which allowed them to be outfitted for their trek westward. They arrived in Salt Lake City in 1850 and immediately were called to join with others in establishing a community south of Salt Lake. This new town, Lehi, became the permanent home of the Karren family.
Two years after Catherine's marriage, her husband, Lorenzo, was called on a mission to England. He made some provisions for his two families, but Sylvia and Catherine had to maximize their pioneer thrift in order to provide for the growing family during their husband's absence.
Lorenzo was called on a mission to Europe in 1856 with about forty other Elders. He returned in 1858. During his absence his wives, who had been well supplied with food when he left them, suffered from the lack of necessities of life because they shared with less fortunate neighbors.
Catherine and Lorenzo were blessed with eleven children. One died as a child, but the other ten lived to adulthood and reared large families and they all remained faithful in the Church. Four of their children were born in Lehi, Utah; six in Franklin, Idaho; and the eleventh was born in Woodruff, Arizona. The building of the west and the development of the church made great demands on her husband, and Catherine was separated from Lorenzo about two-thirds of their married life because of his duties as a missionary (at least five missions), Bishop, Mayors Legislator, Counselor in two Stake presidencies and Patriarch.
Her homemaking consisted of love, faith, mothering, and good housekeeping skills. She was well known as a skillful nurse. Her many skills included the ability to make clothes, candles, and soap.
Both Lorenzo and Catherine were dedicated to the gospel. Coming from a typical English family, she never questioned her tea habit. But when Brigham Young announced that the "greeting" of the Word of Wisdom should now be understood to be an absolute commandment of the Lord she put away her teapot and never took another drink of tea for the rest of her life.
Catherine was the first Relief society President of Woodruff. In those days the Relief Society functioned as doctor, undertaker, nurse, midwife, and so on. By temperament Catherine was well suited for these benevolent services. Many guests were entertained in Catherine's home including many of the General Authorities, several Apostles and Presidents John Taylor and Wilford Woodruff.
Catherine and Lorenzo were always very generous to travelers and their home was always open. On one occasion a certain Mr. Wilson stayed at the Hatch home. Catherine made him comfortable in an upstairs room and he reported that he was not feeling well. The next day Catherine brought him breakfast and was horrified to find that he had developed the classical signs of smallpox. Catherine quickly moved her family three miles away to live with neighbors. Despite tender nursing care, Mr. Wilson subsequently died from smallpox, but all of Catherine's family was spared.
Lorenzo and Catherine returned to Logan, Utah, where Sylvia was then living. Here they spent the last years of their lives in Temple work and other church activities. Catherine died 24 February 1910 and less than two months later, Lorenzo passed on. They were buried in Logan.
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1836 - 1910 (73 år)
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