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James Wrathall Home (11) James Wrathall was among the very first settlers in Grantsville. He was a very progressive, successful stockman and businessman. According to family histories, upon his return to Grantsville from a part-time mission in Nevada in 1856, he commenced laying the foundation for his home. The outside walls were of white adobe, being 18 to 20 inches thick. There were six rooms on the main floor and four additional bedrooms upstairs. There were originally two covered porches trimmed with gingerbread on the south and east sides. Both had decorative railings to form balconies on the second story. Now the porches are gone. And the exterior has been sided. Those who have lived there include: James Wrathall and family, Clyde Wrathall and family (James' son), Genevieve W. Orr and family (James' widowed daughter), Sterling Anderson (a grandson) and his wife Lucille, Hunter Matthews and family (a grandson) and Jim (James) Matthews and family (a great grandson). This is one of the oldest homes in Grantsville. James L. Wrathall Home (20) - 5 North Center Street One of the outstanding homes in Grantsville was built by Bishop James L. Wrathall in 1898. Newspaper accounts report that the Wrathall home is nearly completed with all of the latest modern conveniences and designs |
and shows the skill and fine craftsmanship of C. Z. Shaffer, the builder. This home was dedicated on December 18, 1899 by Apostle John W. Taylor. The home was constructed on a rock foundation with that foundation being formed under all the walls of
the main floor. Two thicknesses of adobe brick and one layer of red brick make up the exterior of the home. The exterior reflects the craftsmanship and use of fine wood, ornately carved and shingled. The trim was originally painted in an off-white with green around each window. There are 13 rooms in the house. Rosettes adorned the ceilings of the original parlor and dining rooms similar to those in the First Ward Chapel. This home was the first in Grantsville to convert to electricity. A stairway with a beautiful bannister and intermittent landing was distinguishable by its stained glass window. From the second floor, one could enter the outside balcony which was used as a sleeping porch. James L. Wrathall and his wife Penninah Hunter Wrathall raised 10 children. James was a rancher and a businessman. There was a period of years that the house was not resided in, but later James' daughter Hazel W. Johnson and her husband Milan Johnson acquired the house and remodeled and restored the downstairs. Milan and Hazel also raised their family here. Mrs. Johnson still resides here. [see also information from the National Register of Historic Places. |
