Charles Rampton's Family History: Charles Hyrum Rampton

On 20 Aug 2006 David and I drove to the Bountiful City Cemetery and photographed some of the old family headstones. One of them taught me an important lesson about my name. Charles is a very common name in Rampton genealogy. Henry Rampton had both a brother and uncle named Charles. He named his third son Charles Hyrum Rampton. I always wondered why Grandpa Cash (Charles Cash Rampton) was not Charles Hyrum Rampton, Jr. since I had always assumed that he was the oldest son of Charles Hyrum Rampton. That day at the cemetery I learned different.

Charles Hyrum Rampton was born 30 March 1860 in Bountiful, Utah. He spent most of his life in the blacksmith business, following in his father's footsteps. He also spent some time in the ranching and livestock business. In 1882 he married Amanda Pace and within three years they were the proud parents of two daughters, Alice and Afton. However, in 1888 tragedy struck the young family when Amanda died in child birth along with the infant son. They were both buried in the Bountiful City Cemetery, each with a separate headstone. Amanda's read, "Amanda Rampton 1863 - 1888". The headstone next to hers' read "Charles H. Rampton 1888 - 1888." Although I have not seen any written record, I assume that is Charles Hyrum Rampton.

Six years later, at age 34, Charles Hyrum Rampton met and fell in love with a young girl who had just moved to Utah from Kentucky, Wilda Cash. They were married 31 January 1894 in the Salt Lake Temple. Their first three children were girls. But then on 24 December 1901 they were blessed with their first and only son. Charles wanted to name the new son after himself, but could not use the name Charles Hyrum Rampton again. So, they decided to change the middle name in honor of Wilda's family. Hence, Charles Cash Rampton, Grandpa Cash.

note: one of Grandpa Cash's older sisters, Amanda, married Charles Rendell Mabey, who later became governor of the state of Utah and poet laureaut of the state. He also spoke at Grandpa's (Charles Cash Rampton, Jr.) missionary farewell along with George Albert Smith.