The following was copied from "How Beautiful Upon the Mountains," a centennial history of Wasatch County Utah, published by the Daughters of Utah Pioneers in 1963.
"Thomas Rasband was the son of John Rasband and Mary Henderson, and was born December 21, 1818, at Hinckley, [Nottinghamshire], England, and baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by James Goodwin on August 30, 1850. He married Elizabeth Giles at Lincoln, England, in … [St. Mary le Wigford’s] Church on January 25, 1847.
"Elizabeth was the daughter of William Giles and Sarah Huskinson. She was born April 11, 1826, at Lowdham, Nottinghamshire, England. They had two children born to them in England. John was born April 15, 1848, and died June 30, 1848. Emily was born June 30, 1849.
"In 1850 they came to America in the ship “North Atlantic” and made their home in Quincy, Illinois. William Giles Rasband was born here December 24, 1852, and a stillborn baby girl (Annie) was born about 1855.
"In 1856 they crossed the plains by ox team with the Philemon C Merrill Company arriving in Provo, Utah, August 25, 1856. Fredrick was born in a wagon box on September 2, 1856, before they could obtain a home in which to live. Thomas Heber was born January 15, 1859, at Provo. Then, the latter part of April, the family came in a small company to Provo Valley (now Heber), arriving May 1, and as soon as possible began to put in crops.
"Thomas Rasband must have been a leader of that brave little band of 19 families who spent the first winter in Heber. He performed the first marriage ceremony in the valley. The couple married was Charles C. Thomas and Emmeline Session; the date was December 25, 1860.
"In 1861, Joseph S. Murdock was ordained a bishop by Brigham Young and sent to organize a ward. He chose as his counselors John W. Witt and Thomas Rasband with Henry Hamilton as clerk.
"On February 22, 1862, Thomas was made justice of the peace in Precinct 1, comprising all of the territory east of Provo River.
"The first Relief Society was organized in 1869 and Elizabeth Rasband was one of the first members. When the ward was divided in 1877, making the East and West Wards, she and Margaret Todd were made counselors to Margaret Muir and Thomas Rasband was ordained bishop of the East Ward. His first counselor was John Muir and Harmon Cummings was second counselor. He held this office until his death on July 24, 1884.
"He and his wife passed through all the trials of the early pioneers of Utah and the settling of this Heber valley. Four sons and a daughter were born to them after their arrival in Heber. They were: George Wesley, James, Mary Elizabeth, Joseph A., and Charles.
"Thomas, with others from the valley, answered a call to help defend the people from Johnston’s army. They left home on October 9, 1857. He also fought in the Blackhawk and Indian wars.
"Two sons have filled the position of bishop, namely, Joseph A., of Heber Second Ward, and Frederick, of Park City Ward. Thomas was struck by his team of horses and pushed against the granary in June 1884. He seemed to improve for a time, then infection set in and he died July 4, 1884. He was so well respected that the celebration and dance were canceled.
"Elizabeth then lived with her children after her husband’s death, and while visiting her son in Park City, Utah, she contracted pneumonia and died on October 15, 1900. Her services were held in Heber, conjointly with those of Mrs. Catherine McKnight."
This was copied from How Beautiful Upon the Mountains, ©1963, pp. 470-471 by Eugene C. Rasband
