Life sketch of Thomas Judd
contributed by Emily Vernon 11 February 2015 (familysearch.org)

Thomas Judd was born in England on September 1, 1845. He was the son of Samuel Judd and Catherine Hindes. He accepted the gospel of Jesus Christ while in England and later emigrated to the valley of the mountains where he joined the body of the Latter-Day Saints. The accomplishments of Thomas Judd as a pioneer of Utah's Dixie are almost legendary. His descendants comprise a host of individuals working in many fields, living in many areas of our great country. His wife, Mary Jane Ashworth, with whom he was united on Oct 3, 1875 presented him with several wonderful children. At the time of his death on June 7, 1922 his family included his wife, Mary Jane, a daughter Ella, his foster son George, his sons John, James, Robert & Joseph, and his youngest daughter Kate. The agricultural greatness of the valley known as the La Verkin bench stems from the almost superhuman efforts of this great pioneer. The little valley is surrounded by hills with beautiful Pine Valley Mountain to the North. It lies on the north banks of the Virgin River opposite the town of Hurricane and five miles south of Toquerville. The town as it is today differs very little from its appearance fifty years ago. This valley and its growth through the innovation of irrigation has resulted through the executive genius of Thomas Judd. Various irrigation projects were launched throughout the vast expanse of Utah's Dixie, but none proved more difficult nor more worthwhile than that undertaken by Thomas Judd and his partner Thomas P. Cottam. These two adventurous souls made a preliminary survey and plan for the construction of a canal from the Virgin River to the La Verkin bench. The canal still exists today as a source of moisture for the thirsty crops of the valley. It was constructed for above La Verkin at an appropriate spot along the Virgin River. It extends along a precarious canyon wall for several miles. It is then diverted through the walls of the mountains by way of a tunnel to the lands of the La Verkin bench. The difficulty of this project and the success it has achieved provide but one testimony of the initiative and success of Thomas Judd. In June 1889 the La Verkin Fruit and Nursery Company was incorporated with a capital stock of $25,000. Thomas Judd was the first president of this organization. The object of the company was to establish nursery orchards and vineyards, to manufacture wine and liquor, to promote fruit raising, stock raising, and general farming. The home built by Thomas Judd was in the south-east section of the valley and laid off the grounds in the old English style with driveway bordered with trees and shrubs leading from the street to the house. The trees of Thomas Judd were small. He planted cotton between them and produced about fifty acres of some of the best cotton ever raised in Utah's Dixie. Cotton raising in Dixie was an important project initiated by the leaders of the church. In fact, Dixie was often referred to as the cotton mission. The cotton project was wrought with many failures from the beginning, but the cotton pioneers, nevertheless continued on with determination. In conjunction with the cotton farming a factory for the processing of the cotton was constructed through the direction of the church authorities. The operation of the factory was directed by the Rio Virgin Manufacturing company. Almost from its beginning in 1867 till the nineties -- the cotton factory had a difficult up-hill struggle. It seldom was on a paying basis and its operators were almost always in debt. On Tuesday April 15, 1890 the Rio Virgin Company leased the factory to Thomas Judd, the church holding the controlling interest in the company. Immediately the factory began to operate on a paying basis. The profits began to increase on a gradual basis showing a dividend of 4% the first year and 6.5% the next. During the 1890s there was a revival of cotton growing in Dixie. Around 65 - 75 persons were employed by Thomas Judd in the factory during that period. For ten years Thomas Judd made the old cotton factory pay off, but after the turn of the century little if any manufacturing was done. Under direction of the church, the old factory was finally closed down. On Feb 20, 1898, Thomas Judd was called by President Wilford Woodruff to take charge of the White River colonization in Nevada. He accepted the call but remembered the heavy mortgage on his ranch in La Verkin. He was successful in leasing his ranch during the few years of his absence. He was able to induce others to settle in the valley and bolster its future and its economy. His efforts in developing this unique and arid country has paid big dividends to the future of many peo0ple of many nationalities who have reaped benefits from his efforts. He was a good family man as is well evidenced from the exemplary lives of his children. His son James was not only a faithful servant in the LDS church but also was a very shrewd and successful businessman. Another son, John, possessed a glowing personality which seemed to win all he came in contact with. His daughter Kate gave birth to several fine children which gave a name to her husband's family and spread forth their goodness in channels that could not be seen, but only felt and appreciated. At his death Thomas Judd left behind him real estate valued at $36, 493.20 and personal property worth $2, 796.20. He held part of controlling interest in the following business enterprises: ? Thomas Judd Store Co. ? Hurricane Mercantile Co. ? La Verkin Sanitarium Bathing and Resort Co. ? Dixie Stock Co. ? Dixie Power Co. ? Moapa Valley Telephone Co. ? St. George Ice Co. ? Washington County Hospital ? Virgin Dome Oil Co. ? St. George Oil and Gas Co. ? Bettilyan Home Builders Co. His last will and testament revealed a love for his family including his foster son, George. He appointed his son, Robert as executor and lawyer for the dispersion of his estate. Though the life of Thomas Judd has been concluded, his accomplishment and memory carry forth in the lives of those he influenced and served. He is truly a man of remarkable character and extraordinary ability.