B. Y. Academy High School and Collegiate Graduates, Class of 1903.

The end of the 1902-1903 academic year marked the historic end of Brigham Young Academy. Brigham Young Academy had included Kindergarten through 12th Grade, and two years of collegiate courses. The final class of BYA High School students and BYA Collegiate students graduated in the Spring of 1903.

The Class of 1903 included 50 BYA high school graduates [89%], and 6 individuals who received BYA collegiate degrees [11%], plus 8 honorary members of the BYH Class of 1903. These numbers are subject to change if future research leads to the discovery of additional documented graduates. [August 2013]

Footnote: It was not until 1906 that BYU began to require an additional year of college-level work, for a total of three years, to qualify for University graduation. In 1913 this requirement was increased to four years of higher education.

During the 1903-1904 transition period, the three main groups of BYA high school / BY High School students were: 1. Commercial (Business Education). 2. Normal (preparing for the teaching profession). and 3. High School (general academic course of studies).

Note the changes in names of high school departments by 1915: 1. Academic. 2. Agricultural. 3. Arts & Manual Training. 4. Business Education (Commercial). and 5. Music.

Class of 1903. A. F. Acord [male], represented the the Class of 1903 at a Brigham Young Academy "handshake party" circa 1898. BYU, The First Hundred Years, Vol. 1, p. 298. ~ ~ ~ ~ Abram Fletcher Acord was born in May 5, 1873 in Spring, Sanpete County, Utah. His parents were Abram Acord and Nancy Frost Acord. He married Amelia [Millie] Seegmiller of Richfield, Utah, on April 11, 1903 in Manti, Utah. She was born on July 4, 1883 in Richfield, Utah. Her parents were William Henry Seegmiller and Mary Ellen Laidlaw. She died on December 21, 1948. He died May 15, 1931. His interment, Provo City Cemetery, Utah. [A. F. Acord is not listed with the Class of 1903 in the BYA records in the BYU Records Office.]

BY Academy High School Class of 1903. Maude May Alexander also received a Special Certificate in Elocution. Source: Students Record of Class Standings B. Y. Academy, Book 2, Page 98. ~ ~ ~ ~ Maude May Alexander married Horace Secrist [BYH Class of 1903], who was born October 9, 1881 in North Farmington, Utah. ~ ~ Horace and Maude had at least 2 children: 1. Horace Alexander Secrist, born August 4, 1905, and 2. Lee Horton Secrist, born July 13, 1906. ~ ~ ~ ~ BYH Class of 1903. Maud M. Alexander of Provo, a Normal student, BYA [& BYH] Class of 1903 Listing of Fourth Year Students (seniors). Source: Brigham Young Academy & Normal Training School, Catalogues & Announcements, for 28th Academic Year, 1903-1904, pp. 171-172.

BY Academy High School Commercial Class of 1903 (final BYA class year - the next year, BYH). Thildia [or Thilda] Anderberg graduated from the Commercial Class on Tuesday, May 26, 1903, in College Hall. Source 1: Program, BYA Commercial Class 1903. ~ ~ ~ ~ BY Academy High School Class of 1903. Thelda [actually Thilda] Adenberg [actually Anderberg] also received a Special Certificate in Chemistry. Source 2: Students Record of Class Standings B. Y. Academy, Book 2, Page 31. ~ ~ ~ ~ Thilda Anderberg was born on August 8, 1884 in Provo, Utah. Her parents were Anders Andersson Anderberg and Bathilda [Thilda] Emerenthia Anderson Rosenquist Anderberg. Thilda [the daughter] married Ross Ripple on September 16, 1906 in Provo, Utah. Thilda Anderberg Ripple died on July 17, 1948 in Provo, Utah. Her interment, Provo, Utah.

BY Academy High School Class of 1903. Joseph Andersen. He received a Normal Diploma. Source: Students Record of Class Standings B. Y. Academy, Book 2, Page 3. ~ ~ ~ ~ Second source confirming high school graduation of Joseph Andersen: Deseret News, May 16, 1903.

Brigham Young High School, Class of 1903 and 1906. Joseph Anderson of Lehi, Utah, a Normal student, BYA [& BYH] Class of 1903 Listing of Fourth Year Students (seniors). Source: Brigham Young Academy & Normal Training School, Catalogues & Announcements, for 28th Academic Year, 1903-1904, pp. 171-172. ~ ~ ~ ~ BYH Class of 1906. Joseph A. Anderson. He received a Normal Diploma in 1906. Source: Students Record of Class Standings B.Y. Academy, Book 2, Page 165. ~ ~ ~ ~ BYH Class of 1906. Joseph A. Anderson, a Normal graduate. BYU [& BYH] Class of 1906 Listing of BYH Normal, High School, Commercial, and Music School graduates. Source: Brigham Young Academy & Normal Training School, Catalogues & Announcements, for 31st Academic Year, 1906-1907, p. 140.

Class of 1903, BYA High School. ~ ~ ~ ~ Source confirming high school graduation of Nathaniel Baldwin: Deseret News, May 16, 1903.Faculty & Staff. Nathaniel Baldwin, Physics teacher, 1899-1905. ~ ~ ~ ~ Nathaniel Baldwin was born on December 1, 1878 in Fillmore, Utah. His parents were Nathan Bennett Baldwin, Sr., and Margaret Oler or Ohler. Nathaniel married twice: First, to Elizabeth Ann (Lizzie) Butler on November 2, 1899 in Manti, Utah. He second married Josie Steed. He died on January 19, 1961 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Interment, Salt Lake City, Utah.

BY Academy High School, Commercial Class of 1903 (final BYA class year - the next year, BYH). Birda Billings. Birda Billings graduated from the Commercial Class on Tuesday, May 26, 1903, in College Hall. Source 1: Program, BYA Commercial Class 1903. ~ ~ ~ ~ BY Academy High School Class of 1903. Birda Billings. She also received a Special Certificate in Shorthand. Source 2: Students Record of Class Standings B. Y. Academy, Book 2, Page 101. Emily Deborah [Birda] Billings was born on September 4, 1883 in Provo, Utah [sometimes given as November 29, 1880 -- less accurate source]. Her parents were George Pierce Billings and Lydia Anna Young. Birda married James William Robinson September 16, 1905 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Emily Deborah "Birda" Billings Robinson died on January 27, 1962 in Salt Lake City, Utah [death date sometimes given as July 24, 1964 -- less accurate source]. Her interment, January 31, 1962, Provo, Utah. ~ ~ ~ ~ OBITUARY OF HER DAUGHTER: Ruth Robinson Harris, 92 died peacefully of causes attendant to age at home in Kaysville surrounded by loving family on September 26, 2005. She is survived by her brother, George B. Robinson, South Jordan, son R. William Harris and wife, Marjorie, Kaysville and daughter, Marillee H. Billings and Husband James, Omaha, Nebraska, eight grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Robert F. Harris (25 August, 1987), Escondido, California. Born in Provo 20 May 1913 to the late Congressman J. William Robinson (D, UT 1932-1948) and Emily Deborah (Birda) Billings, attended the Brigham Young training school, Brigham Young High School, BYU and George Washington University, graduating from BYU in Phys Ed in 1936. She married her teenage sweetheart and together they made their life in Escondido, California where she resided until 1995. She had a career in social work for the county of San Diego and in her retirement years served as an adoption case worker for LDS Social Services. She and her husband served a full-time LDS mission in the South Carolina Charleston Mission. She later served a Family History mission in London, England and in Salt Lake City. She also served as an ordinance worker in the Los Angeles, San Diego and Bountiful LDS temples. She moved to Kaysville in 1995 to be closer to family. She has lived a devoted life of loving service to family, church, community and friends, serving in numerous leadership capacities always having lasting positive and uplifting impact on all with whom she associated. She will be dearly missed by all while being warmly welcomed by departed loved ones. Funeral services held Thursday, September 29, 2005 at 11 a.m. at Lindquist's Kaysville Mortuary 400 North Main. Interment, Oakhill Memorial Park, Escondido, California. [Deseret News, Tuesday, September 27, 2005.] ~ ~ ~ ~ BIRDA'S HUSBAND: Robinson, James William (1878-1964) — also known as J. W. Robinson — of Provo, Utah County, Utah. Born in Coalville, Summit County, Utah, January 19, 1878. Democrat. Lawyer; candidate for Utah state attorney general, 1924; delegate to Democratic National Convention from Utah, 1928, 1944; U.S. Representative from Utah 2nd District, 1933-47; defeated, 1946. Mormon. Died in Escondido, San Diego County, Calif., December 2, 1964. Interment at Provo Cemetery, Provo, Utah.

BY Academy High School Commercial Class of 1903 (final BYA class year - the next year, BYH). Sadie Cassity graduated from the Commercial Class on Tuesday, May 26, 1903, in College Hall. Source 1: Program, BYA Commercial Class 1903. ~ ~ ~ ~ BY Academy High School Class of 1903. Sadie Cassity. She also received a Special Certificate in Shorthand and Typewriting. Source 2: Students Record of Class Standings B. Y. Academy, Book 2, Page 12.

BY Academy High School Commercial Class of 1903 (final BYA class year - the next year, BYH). Arthur C. Chadwick graduated from the Commercial Class on Tuesday, May 26, 1903, in College Hall. Source 1: Program, BYA Commercial Class 1903. ~ ~ ~ ~ Source 2: BYA High School Class of 1903. Arthur Chadwick. He also received a Certificate in Bookkeeping in 1903. Source: Students Record of Class Standings B. Y. Academy, Book 2, Page 12.

BY Academy High School Class of 1903, and BYU Class of 1905, Faculty. Warren A. Colton. He received a High School Diploma. Source: Students Record of Class Standings B. Y. Academy, Book 2, Page 14. ~ ~ ~ ~ Second source confirming high school graduation of W. A. Colton: Deseret News, May 16, 1903. ~ ~ ~ ~ Brigham Young University, Class of 1905. Warren A. Colton. He was elected the first Student Body President of BYU in 1903-1904. When Warren Colton was a BYU junior in the [future] Class of 1905, the new leaders of BYU granted their university students the privilege of organizing the first BYU student body government. This was during the fall of 1903. Warren's class elected him the junior candidate to stand for election as the first president of the BYU Student Body. Warren Colton had the edge because he was a part-time teacher and therefore a member of the BYU faculty. ~ ~ Faculty & Staff. Warren A. Colton, Physical Education teacher, 1902-1906. ~ ~ ~ ~ Warren Alfred Colton was born on March 29, 1883 in Ashley [later Vernal], Utah. His parents were Sterling Driggs Colton and Nancy Adeline Wilkins Colton. He married Merle Elizabeth Crandall, of Springville, Utah, on October 25, 1906. Merle was born on March 27, 1883 in Springville, Utah. Her parents were Lucian Delancy Crandall and Elizabeth Cook Crandall. She died on December 13, 1962 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Her interment, Salt Lake City, Utah. Dr. Warren A. Colton died on October 8, 1963 in Ossining, Westchester County, New York. His interment, Salt Lake City, Utah. ~ ~ ~ ~ BYH Class of 1903. Warren A. Colton, Normal & High School Class of 1903 (seniors). Source: Brigham Young Academy & Normal Training School, Catalogue & Announcements, for 27th Academic Year, 1902-1903, Listing of Normal & High School Students, Class of 1903, including Students with 108-144 Hours Credit at the Close of the 1st Semester, 1901-1902, p. 136. ~ ~ ~ ~ BYH Class of 1903. Warren A. Colton of Vernal, Utah, an academic High School student, BYA [& BYH] Class of 1903 Listing of Fourth Year Students (seniors). Source: Brigham Young Academy & Normal Training School, Catalogues & Announcements, for 28th Academic Year, 1903-1904, pp. 171-172.

BYH Class of 1903. Faculty & Staff. George M. Cope, Shorthand and Spelling teacher, 1900-1905. ~ ~ ~ ~ George Michael Cope was born December 13, 1877 in Panguitch (Spry), Utah. His parents were Thomas Henry Cope and Amelia Jane Lloyd Cope. He first married Geneva Cox on May 29, 1912 in Salt Lake City, Utah. He second married Eunice Allie Wilson on May 6, 1926 in Manti, Utah. Records show a third marriage, which might have been a temple sealing: To Amelia Cox, who was born October 24, 1878 in St. George, Utah and who died on October 2, 1890 at the age of 12. George M. Cope would have been 13 at the time of her death. Perhaps a deceased sister of Amelia Cox. George M. Cope died on October 21, 1926 in Richfield, Utah, of typhoid fever, Dr. T. R. Gledhill attending. Interment, Richfield City Cemetery, Utah. ~ ~ ~ ~ BYH Class of 1903. George M. Cope of Tropic, Utah, a Normal student, BYA [& BYH] Class of 1903 Listing of Fourth Year Students (seniors). Source: Brigham Young Academy & Normal Training School, Catalogues & Announcements, for 28th Academic Year, 1903-1904, pp. 171-172.

BY Academy High School Commercial Class of 1903 (final BYA class year - the next year, BYH). Edna Dennis graduated from the Commercial Class on Tuesday, May 26, 1903, in College Hall. Source 1: Program, BYA Commercial Class 1903. ~ ~ ~ ~ BY Academy High School Class of 1903. Edna Dennis. She also received a Certificate in Shorthand. Source 2: Students Record of Class Standings B. Y. Academy, Book 2, Page 18.

BY Academy High School Class of 1903. Lida Edmunds. She also received a Special Certificate in Music. Source: Students Record of Class Standings B. Y. Academy, Book 2, Page 113.

BY Academy High School Class of 1903 and 1905. Achsa Eggertsen. In 1903 she also received a Special Certificate in Shorthand and Typewriting. Source: Students Record of Class Standings B. Y. Academy, Book 2, Page 20. ~ ~ ~ ~ Brigham Young High School Class of 1905. Achsa Eggertsen. She also received a Certificate in Elocution. Source: Students Record of Class Standings B. Y. Academy, Book 2, page 20.

BY Academy High School Class of 1903. Alta Ercanbrack. She also received a Special Certificate in Vocal Music. Source: Students Record of Class Standings B. Y. Academy, Book 2, Page 20.

Class of 1903 ~ Honorary. Clara Fullmer was born April 21, 1886 in Spanish Fork, Utah. She married William Ekins Bullock on December 13, 1905 in Raymond, Alberta, Canada. Her parents were Edwin "S" Fullmer and Ada Maria Mendenhall Fullmer. Her grandfather: John S. Fullmer. Her husband's parents were William Bullock and Emily Isabell Ekins. [She may have attended Brigham Young Academy or BYH, but as of May 2008 we do not have a record of her graduation.] Clara is a grandmother of Gordon Bullock, BYH Class of 1954. She died February 2, 1976, in Provo, Utah. Interment, Provo, Utah. ~ ~ ~ ~ University of Utah Marriott Library Special Collections: Bullock Family Papers, Folder 1: Author: Clara Fullmer Bullock, "Life Story of Benjamin Bullock III (1792-1852)". It was through Benjamin Bullock that the Book of Abraham on papyrus was brought to Joseph Smith at Kirtland, Ohio. The account gives the whole story of the acquiring, translation, and publishing of the Pearl of Great Price. Bullock was so impressed with Joseph Smith that he moved his whole family from New York to Kirtland to live among the Mormons. They moved with the Saints to Nauvoo and then to Council Bluffs. In 1852 they started west. At the Platte River, Bullock became ill and died there. The family went on to Utah. Source. ~ ~ ~ ~ Clara Fullmer Bullock has authored the following family histories, available in the Price, Utah, Family History Library: Ada Mendenhall Fullmer History [Clara is her daughter]; and Edwin Fullmer History [Clara is his daughter]. ~ ~ ~ ~ In 1964, Clara Fullmer Bullock wrote the John Soloman Fullmer Story (see bibliography). ~ ~ ~ ~ Clara Fullmer Bullock also authored a 43-page booklet titled: My Guiding Light. It was published by Pioneer Book, Provo, Utah, in 1960.

BY Academy High School Commercial Class of 1903 (final BYA class year - the next year, BYH). Goldie Gillespie graduated from the Commercial Class on Tuesday, May 26, 1903, in College Hall. Source 1: Program, BYA Commercial Class 1903. ~ ~ ~ ~ BY Academy High School Class of 1903. Goldie Gillespie also received a Certificate in Shorthand. Source 2: Students Record of Class Standings B. Y. Academy, Book 2, Page 24.

BY Academy High School Commercial Class of 1903 (final BYA class year - the next year, BYH). Nels G. Hall graduated from the Commercial Class on Tuesday, May 26, 1903, in College Hall. Source: Program, BYA Commercial Class of 1903.

BY Academy High School Commercial Class of 1903 and 1906. (1903 was the final BYA class year - the next year, BYH). John E. Hayes of Pleasant Grove, Utah, graduated from the Commercial Class on Tuesday, May 26, 1903, in College Hall. Source 1: Program, BYA Commercial Class 1903. ~ ~ ~ ~ Class of 1903. John E. Hayes. Source 2: He also received a Certificate in Bookkeeping in 1903. Students Record of Class Standings B. Y. Academy, Book 2, Page 12, and Page 28. ~ ~ ~ ~ Brigham Young High School, Class of 1906. John E. Hayes. He received a Four Year Commercial Diploma. Source: Students Record of Class Standings B.Y. Academy, Book 2, Page 28. ~ ~ ~ ~ BYH Class of 1906. John E. Hayes, a Commercial graduate. BYU [& BYH] Class of 1906 Listing of BYH Normal, High School, Commercial, and Music School graduates. Source: Brigham Young Academy & Normal Training School, Catalogues & Announcements, for 31st Academic Year, 1906-1907, p. 140. ~ ~ ~ ~ Collegiate Grad of BYU, Class of 1924. John E. Hayes. He received a BS Degree in 1924. Source: Annual Record, B.Y. University, Book 8, page 79. ~ ~ ~ ~ BYH Class of 1903. John E. Hayes of Pleasant Grove, Utah, a Commercial student, BYU [& BYH] Class of 1903 Listing of Fourth Year Students (seniors). Source: Brigham Young Academy & Normal Training School, Catalogues & Announcements, for 29th Academic Year, 1904-1905, p. 174.

BY Academy High School Class of 1903. Tressa Hines. She received a Special Certificate in Elocution. Source: Students Record of Class Standings B. Y. Academy, Book 2, Page 29.

BYH Class of 1903. Brigham Young University Graduate, Class of 1907. Georgia Hoagland. She received the Artium Baccalaureus degree (A.B.) in May of 1907. Source: Students Record of Class Standings B. Y. Academy, Book 2, Page 273. ~ ~ ~ ~ BYH Class of 1903. Georgia Hoagland of Provo, an academic High School student, BYA [& BYH] Class of 1903 Listing of Fourth Year Students (seniors). Source: Brigham Young Academy & Normal Training School, Catalogues & Announcements, for 28th Academic Year, 1903-1904, pp. 171-172.

BY Academy High School Commercial Class of 1903 (final BYA class year - the next year, BYH). Rozell Holladay graduated from the Commercial Class on Tuesday, May 26, 1903, in College Hall. Source 1: Program, BYA Commercial Class 1903. ~ ~ ~ ~ BY Academy High School Class of 1903. Laura Rozell [Rozell] Holladay received a Special Certificate in Shorthand. Source 2: Students Record of Class Standings B. Y. Academy, Book 2, Page 119.

BYH Class of 1903. Faculty & Staff. Elmer Hooks, Spanish teacher, 1901-1904. ~ ~ ~ ~ BYH Class of 1903~Honorary. Elmer Hooks, Normal & High School Class of 1903 (seniors). Source: Brigham Young Academy & Normal Training School, Catalogue & Announcements, for 27th Academic Year, 1902-1903, Listing of Normal & High School Students, Class of 1903, including Students with 108-144 Hours Credit at the Close of the 1st Semester, 1901-1902, p. 136. ~ ~ ~ ~ BYH Class of 1903. Elmer Hooks of Provo, a Normal student, BYA [& BYH] Class of 1903 Listing of Fourth Year Students (seniors). Source: Brigham Young Academy & Normal Training School, Catalogues & Announcements, for 28th Academic Year, 1903-1904, pp. 171-172.

BY Academy High School Class of 1903. Wallace Hunter. He also received a Special Certificate in Chemistry. Source: Students Record of Class Standings B. Y. Academy, Book 2, Page 31.