Archives West Finding Aid
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Orson Gurney Smith photograph collection, 1875-1947
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Smith, Orson (Orson Gurney), 1853-1935.
- Title
- Orson Gurney Smith photograph collection
- Dates
- 1875-1947 (inclusive)18751947
- Quantity
- 1 box, (.5 linear feet)
- Collection Number
- UUS_P0576
- Summary
- Consists of seven original portraits plus numerous copies of Thomas X. Smith and Orson Gurney Smith and their descendants.
- Repository
-
Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library, Special Collections and Archives Division
Special Collections & Archives
Merrill-Cazier Library
Utah State University
Logan, UT
84322-3000
Telephone: 4357978248
Fax: 4357972880
scweb@usu.edu - Access Restrictions
-
No restrictions on use, except: not available through interlibrary loan.
- Languages
- English
Biographical NoteReturn to Top
Orson Gurney Smith was born July 4, 1853 in Keokuk, Iowa, the son of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Bishop Thomas X. Smith and Margaret Gurney, who at the time were in the process of emigrating from their native England to Utah. The family initially settled in Farmington before moving to Logan in 1860 where Smith grew up. As an adult Smith worked as the manager for the Consolidated Wagon and Machine Company, as well as the postmaster for Logan. He also homesteaded the site of the original Logan Cemetery.
In 1868 Smith was ordained an Elder in the LDS Church. He was subsequently sent for ten months to Iron County on an economic mission to help establish a co-op there. In 1875 Smith was called to serve as Bishop in the town of Paradise in Cache County. In 1883 he was selected to serve as second counselor to Charles O. Card in the presidency of the Cache Stake of Zion. In 1890 Smith became stake president, a position he held until 1899. He also served for four years in Cardston, Canada.
Orson Smith had three wives and twenty-seven children. His first wife was Caroline Maria Carpenter, whom Smith married in Salt Lake City in 1875. She died in 1894. His second wife was Sarah Ann B. Obray, whom Smith married in Salt Lake City in 1878. She died in 1941. His third wife was Mary Ellen Wright whom Smith married in Logan in 1884. She died in 1934.
In the early years of the twentieth century Smith was involved in the grain business, but lost everything in the economic panic of 1907. He subsequently spent two years in the gold fields of Alaska, before working in mines in Nevada and Idaho. Smith died August 9, 1935 in Logan. His funeral was held in the Logan Tabernacle, and he is buried in the city cemetery.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
The Orson Gurney Smith photograph collection consists of six orignal images including images of Orson Smith and his three wives (Sarah Ann Obray, Mary Ellen Wright, and Caroline Carpenter), his father Thomas X. Smith, his son Ezra, a grandaughter(?) Claire, and an unidentified woman with two children. Also included is a folder of genealogical data about Orson Smith, his three wives, and their children. Included in this folder are photocopies of more Smith family images including reunions from 1920 to 1947.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Restrictions on Use
It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances.
Permission to publish material from the Orson Gurney Smith photograph collection must be obtained from the Special Collections Photograph Curator and/or the Special Collections Department Head.
Preferred Citation
Initial Citation: USU_P0576; Thomas X. Smith photograph collection; Photograph Collections Special Collections and Archives. Utah State University Merrill-Cazier Library. Logan, Utah.
Following Citations:USU_P0576, USUSCA.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
---|---|---|---|
Box | Folder | ||
1 | 1 | 1-01 through 1-06: Orson G. Smith family photographs
Consists of: One photo of Orson Smith and his three wives (Sarah Ann Obray, Mary Ellen Wright,
and Caroline Carpenter); two portraits that includes Orson,
his father Thomas X. Smith, son Ezra, and
grandaughter(?) Claire; two images of Claire, and an unidentified woman with two children.
|
1882-1910 |
1 | 2 | Genealogical papers of the Smith Family
Consists of geneological data about Orson Smith, his three wives, and
their children. Included
are photocopies of more Smith family images including each wife and her children and reunions from 1920 to 1947.
|
1875-1947 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Mormons--Utah--Cache County--History--19th century--Photographs.
Personal Names
- Smith, Orson (Orson Gurney), 1853-1935--Photographs.