Archives West Finding Aid

Beatrice Alvaretta Peterson Marchant (1903-1996) was born 27 December 1903 in Koosharem, Utah (southeast of Fillmore) to Frands Peter and Anna Christine Peterson and died 24 June 1996 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

In 1923 she married Stephen Casper Marchant. He served as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) from 1914 to 1916 in the Western States mission field. They had 15 children. He died in 1960. She was a devoted member of the LDS Church who for six years served as ward Relief Society President. She worked in the County Recorder's office, for a microfilm company and was a certified teacher with training in Library Science who worked in the Public School system. Mrs. Marchant served twice as Utah State Representative in the Utah State Legislature from 1969 to 1972. Mrs. Marchant was a firm believer in the Equal Rights Amendment. In 1979 she was the President of the ERA Coalition of Utah. She wrote numerous letters and articles to politicians and newspapers. She also wrote articles about Mormonism and the John Birch Society. In 1983 she received a plaque at the Salt Lake County Democratic Convention for her years of party service. She was a member of the Democratic Women's Club for more than 50 years.