Richard Franklin Meldrum was the 10th child of Henry Meldrum. He was born 27 May 1870 at Rigdon, Grant, Indiana. When just a baby, his mother died leaving his father to care for ten children. His father was a mortician and carved caskets. Richard liked to tell the story that his father baby sat him and used the casket for a playpen. Frank worked with his father while at home. He also became an excellent glass blower. When he was eighteen years of age, he came to Utah to visit his brother, George R. Meldrum and stayed.
Here are some descriptions of "Frank". He had a commanding figure, tall, erect and a most affable and pleasing manner. He loved children. No hour was too busy to listen to a child. They told him their stories and listened to his. He was a scientific and capable workman in every branch of the blacksmith and carriage makers trade. In horseshoeing, Mr. Meldrum has no superior. After the advent of cars, he built a forge on the back of his truck and took the Blacksmith Shop to the farmers. He was a reliable veterinarian too. 
He married Harriett Lancaster 20 Nov 1892 in Salt Lake City.
Harriett Lancaster was born 17 Sep 1874 at West Jordan in Utah Territory, where she lived until her marriage. They were blessed by 4 children. When somone asked about her life she said, "Why I don't know what it would be. All I've ever done is milk cows and feed pigs, and work."
She was a familiar figure dashing through the fields riding sideways, not saddle, just a sursingle--going at a high gallop. No fences ever deterred her. She just went over. She would put one child in back, another in front, and take off at high speed to help needy or sick neighbors.
Harritt had beautiful red hair til the day she died.
Richard Franklin died 15 May 1948 and Harriett died 14 Jan 1959 and both are buried in Tremeonton, Box Elder, Utah
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