Saturday, January 1, 2011

The History of Diamond Bar Seven Ranch

Although the Tom Melin family has only owned the Diamond Bar Seven Ranch (DB7) for a few years, it has been part of Melin family history for over a century. Originally part of the Melin homestead, the ranch was purchased as 40 acres and developed by Melvin and Vivian Ellison in 1952 as a modest family ranch. Melvin constructed the main house/ vacation rental in 1981.


Here is a little history about Vivian Ellison, our adopted "Ranch Grandma" who passed away in October 2010. This is a spotlight that was published in her church newsletter in 2006.

Vivian Anderson Ellison was born November 13, 1920 in Otto, Wyoming to Maurice and Lettie Anderson. She was raised in Otto, attending school there for 10 years.


Vivian married Melvin Ellison on December 18, 1940 in Burlington, Wyoming. In 1941, they moved to Paradise Valley and helped Melvin's parents on their ranch (which is now an RV park just south of Vivian's house). In 1954, the Ellisons bought their ranch where Vivian now lives. They raised cows and sheep, beautiful gardens, and two children--Roger and Deanne. Roger married and had 6 children, and Deanne had 3. Sister Ellison now has 19 great-grandchildren, "and counting."



Melvin and Vivian had a wonderful life together, marked by their great friendship and lives of service in the church. Melvin served as the bishop of the Livingston ward for 7 ½ years in the 1970's, and served on the stake high council. Vivian has served in every auxiliary, and in every position in the ward Relief Society at least once. At one time, she held seven callings when Livingston was still a branch, and later she served in the Stake Relief Society Presidency. Even when they had to travel for their stake callings, Melvin and Vivian were always together. "If I had a meeting, he waited in the foyer reading his scriptures, and if he had a meeting, I waited and read my scriptures." Melvin loved children and was "Grandpa" to most of the ward. He passed away in a car accident 1992.



Vivian has carried on in her service and activity in the church. Her other hobbies include crocheting, gardening, baking, and music (she was the ward music leader for many years, and used to sing solos and in groups). Although her children and grandchildren are far away (Roger passed away in 2005), she is a beloved "Grandma" to many in our ward today. Her favorite scripture is 1 Nephi 3:7: "…I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them." Her life has reflected that testimony-she has "gone" and "done" so many things in her service to the Lord and her family. We are grateful for her example and her special part in our Ward Family.

2 comments:

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  2. Thanks so much for posting this history. I love that your family has bought the ranch and are doing so many wonderful things to make it an even more beautiful place for people to come and visit.

    I'm Nikki, Vivian's granddaughter, and I just want to say that we love your family and all that many wonderful things you have done for my grandparents as well as the rest of our family, through your service, good deeds, and hard work. You all will always be dear to our hearts and we hope we will be able to continue our friendship for years to come :)

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