Orson F. Whitney letters, 1868-1957

Overview of the Collection

Title
Orson F. Whitney letters
Dates
1868-1957 (inclusive)
Quantity
5 boxes, (3 linear feet)
Collection Number
UUS_COLL MSS 167
Summary
This collection is predominantly a mixture of original and photocopied correspondence.
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 Ferguson Whitney was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Sunday, July 1, 1855. His father, Horace Kimball Whitney, was the eldest son of Newel Kimball Whitney, the second presiding bishop of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His mother, Helen Mar Whitney, was the eldest daughter of Heber Chase Kimball, one of the original Twelve Apostles and later a member of the First Presidency of the Church of the Latter-day Saints.

Early in Orson F. Whitney's life, he was educated in the common schools of Salt Lake City and worked for the Union Pacific Railroad. Thereafter, he attended the University of Deseret, now the University of Utah. His final year at the university (1873—1874) was followed by a one-year mission for the Church of the Latter-day Saints in October of 1876. During the spring of 1877, Elder Whitney went alone to northern Ohio, preaching, baptizing, studying the gospel, and writing for the Salt Lake Herald. Whitney returned to Utah in the spring of 1878, arriving home on the first day of April. Two weeks later he was employed by the Deseret News. In August of 1878, he was promoted to city editor of the Deseret News.

On July 14, 1878, Orson F. Whitney was made bishop of the Salt Lake City 18th Ward. During that winter (1878—1879), Bishop Whitney went on a preaching tour of Cache Valley, Utah. In the fall of the following year, on December 18, 1879, Whitney married Miss Zine Beal Smoot of Provo, Utah. Over the course of their twenty-year marriage, Zine bore Orson nine children; Horace Newel (1880), Emily (1885), Helen Margaret (1887), Margaret (1889), Charles Byron (1891), Albert Owen (1893), the twins—Paul Van Cott and Virginia Clayton (1899), and Heber Kimball (1899).

In February of 1880, a year-and-a half after their marriage, Orson F. Whitney was called on a church mission to Europe to labor in the editorial department of the Millennial Star in Liverpool. While on this mission, Whitney's second son, Heber Kimball (whom he had never seen), died. Whitney labored in England for three-and-a-half years until his return home to Salt Lake City on July 7, 1883.

Upon his return, Whitney resumed his position at the Desert News, but he later resigned in December of 1884 to become the city treasurer. He was reelected every two years until 1890. During this time, and perhaps in secret, on July 24, 1888, in Colonia Diaz, Mexico, Orson took a second wife by marrying Mary Minerva Wells of Salt Lake City. Residing together at various time in Logan, Utah, they had two children; Murray Wells (1892) and Wendell Webb (1895). In 1896 Whitney accepted the chair of philosophy at Brigham Young College in Logan, were he resided until July of 1897. On May 20, 1900, at the age of 41, Zine Beal Smoot Whitney died, leaving eight children in the care of her husband and his second wife Mary. Later that year, on October 11, 1900, Orson and Mary were remarried in the Salt Lake Temple. In 1901 Orson sat in legislature pushing for the adoption of the Evan's Bill. In 1907 Orson was ordained a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, a high calling within the Latter-day Saints Church. Thereafter, his spiritual profession required him to travel a great deal, often to various towns and cities across the United States.

Over the course of Orson's public career, he published many articles and books, among them Baptism—The Birth of Water and of Spirit, The Strength of the Mormon Position, Voices from the Mountains, Gospel Themes: a Treatise on Salient Features of Mormons, Popular History of Utah, History of Utah, The Life of Heber C. Kimball, and Through Memory' Halls: The Life Story of Orson F. Whitney. In addition to publishing, during the 1920s Orson delivered spiritual lectures that were broadcast live on Sunday evenings over KSL Radio, Salt Lake City.

On May 16, 1931, Orson F. Whitney died at the age of 76. Mary M. Whitney died four years later on January 25, 1935.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

This collection consists of five boxes containing a mixture of original and photocopied correspondence. Box 1 consists of letters written by Zine S. Whitney addressed to O. F. Whitney. Box 2 consists of letters written by O. F. Whitney addressed to Zina S. Whitney. Box 3 consists of letters written by O. F. Whitney addressed to his parents. Boxes 4 and 5 consist of correspondence addressed to and from Orson and Zine Whitney between their friends, colleagues, and the extended Smoot and Whitney families. In addition, box 5 also contains a genealogy record, notes, and three letters written by Spencer W. Kimball addressed to Emily Smith (the granddaughter of O. F. Whitney) commenting on various letters written to O. F. Whitney.

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 F. Whitney Letters must be obtained from the Special Collections and Archives manuscript curator and/or the Special Collections and Archives department head.

Preferred Citation

Initial Citation: Orson F. Whitney letters USU_COLL MSS 167, Box [ ]. Special Collections and Archives. Utah State University Merrill-Cazier Library. Logan, Utah.

Following Citations: USU_COLL MSS 167, USUSCA.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

Arranged by sender.

Processing Note

Processed in July of 2004.

Related Materials

For additional study on O. F. Whitney, see MSS COLL 188 : Orson F. Whitney diaries.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Incoming correspondence to Orson F. Whitney written by Zine S. Whitney during their courtship and after their marriage, 1879-1898Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
1 1
Incoming correspondence from Zine S. Whitney
1879 June
1 2
Incoming correspondence from Zine S. Whitney
1879 July
1 3
Incoming correspondence from Zine S. Whitney
1879 August 2—9
1 4
Incoming correspondence from Zine S. Whitney
1879 August 11—15
1 5
Incoming correspondence from Zine S. Whitney
1879 September
1 6
Incoming correspondence from Zine S. Whitney
1879 October—December
1 7
Incoming correspondence from Zine S. Whitneye
1880 March
1 8
Incoming correspondence from Zine S. Whitney
1880 September & 1881 January
1 9
Incoming correspondence from Zine S. Whitney
1881 June—December
1 10
Incoming correspondence from Zine S. Whitney
1882 January
1 11
Incoming correspondence from Zine S. Whitney
1882 February—March
1 12
Incoming correspondence from Zine S. Whitney
1882 April—May
1 13
Incoming correspondence from Zine S. Whitney
1882 June—August
1 14
Incoming correspondence from Zine S. Whitney
1882 September—October
1 15
Incoming correspondence from Zine S. Whitney
1882 November—December
1 16
Incoming correspondence from Zine S. Whitney
1883 January—March
1 17
Incoming correspondence from Zine S. Whitney
1883 April—May
1 18
Incoming correspondence from Zine S. Whitney
1883 September—November
1 19
Incoming correspondence from Zine S. Whitney
1884 April—June
1 20
Incoming correspondence from Zine S. Whitney
1885 March
1 21
Incoming correspondence from Zine S. Whitney
1887 July
1 22
Incoming correspondence from Zine S. Whitney
1895 January & 1896 April
1 23
Incoming correspondence from Zine S. Whitney
1896 June—July
1 24
Incoming correspondence from Zine S. Whitney
1896 August—September
1 25
Incoming correspondence from Zine S. Whitney
1896 November
1 26
Incoming correspondence from Zine S. Whitney
1897 April—August
1 27
Incoming correspondence from Zine S. Whitney
1897 September—December
1 28
Incoming correspondence from Zine S. Whitney
1898 January - September
1 29
Undated and incomplete letters (3)
undated

Outgoing correspondence of Orson F. Whitney written to Zine S. Whitney during their courtship and after their marriage, 1879-1898Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
2 1
Outgoing correspondence to Zine S. Whitney
1879 June
2 2
Outgoing correspondence to Zine S. Whitney
1879 July
2 3
Outgoing correspondence to Zine S. Whitney
1879 August 1—7
2 4
Outgoing correspondence to Zine S. Whitney
1879 August 8—13
2 5
Outgoing correspondence to Zine S. Whitney
1879 August 14—28
2 6
Outgoing correspondence to Zine S. Whitney
1879 September 3—15
2 7
Outgoing correspondence to Zine S. Whitney
1879 September 17—25
2 8
Outgoing correspondence to Zine S. Whitney
1879 October
2 9
Outgoing correspondence to Zine S. Whitney
1879 November
2 10
Outgoing correspondence to Zine S. Whitney
1879 December 2—10
2 11
Outgoing correspondence to Zine S. Whitney
1879 December 13—17
2 12
Outgoing correspondence to Zine S. Whitney
1880 September
2 13
Outgoing correspondence to Zine S. Whitney
1881 June—December
2 14
Outgoing correspondence to Zine S. Whitney
1882 January
2 15
Outgoing correspondence to Zine S. Whitney
1882 May
2 16
Outgoing correspondence to Zine S. Whitney
1882 July - November
2 17
Outgoing correspondence to Zine S. Whitney
1883 January—February
2 18
Outgoing correspondence to Zine S. Whitney
1883 April - June
2 19
Outgoing correspondence to Zine S. Whitney
1886 March - December
2 20
Outgoing correspondence to Zine S. Whitney
1887 August
2 21
Outgoing correspondence to Zine S. Whitney
1897 January- 1898 July

Outgoing correspondence of Orson F. Whitney written to his parents, 1868-1883Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
3 1
Outgoing correspondence to his parents
1868 September
3 2
Outgoing correspondence to his parents
1873 July
3 3
Outgoing correspondence to his parents
1873 August
3 4
Outgoing correspondence to his parents
1873 September
3 5
Outgoing correspondence to his parents
1874 August
3 6
Outgoing correspondence to his parents
1875 October - December
3 7
Outgoing correspondence to his parents
1876 January—February
3 8
Outgoing correspondence to his parents
1876 November—December
3 9
Outgoing correspondence to his parents
1877
3 10
Outgoing correspondence to his parents
1877 January
3 11
Outgoing correspondence to his parents
1877 February
3 12
Outgoing correspondence to his parents
1877 April—June
3 13
Outgoing correspondence to his parents
1877 July—September
3 14
Outgoing correspondence to his parents
1877 October—December
3 15
Outgoing correspondence to his parents
1878 February—March
3 16
Outgoing correspondence to his parents
1881 October
3 17
Outgoing correspondence to his parents
1882 July
3 18
Outgoing correspondence to his parents
1882 December
3 19
Outgoing correspondence to his parents
1883 January - March

Miscellaneous Correspondence of O. F. and Zine Whitney, 1872-1911Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
4 1
Letter written by O. F. Whitney addressed to his family
1880
4 2
Incomplete letter written by Helen Mar Whitney addressed to O. F. Whitney
undated
4 3
Letter written by Susa Y. Gates addressed to O. F. Whitney
undated
4 4
Letter written by Margaret Y. Smoot addressed to Zine Whitney
1872
4 5
Letter written by Maggie addressed to Zine Whitney
1873
4 6
Letters written by Rob addressed to Zine Whitney
1876 - 1877
4 7
Letter written by Clara addressed to Zine Whitney
1878
4 8
Letters written by Maggie addressed to Zine Whitney
1880-1887
4 9
Letters written by O. A. Smoot addressed to O. F. Whitney
1880-1889
4 10
Letter written by Maggie and her sister
1880
4 11
Letter written by Teen addressed to Zine Whitney
1880
4 12
Letter written by O. A. Smoot addressed to Zine Whitney
1880
4 13
Letter written by O. A. Smoot addressed to O. F. and Zine Whitney
1881
4 14
Letter written by Heber M. Wells addressed to Zine Whitney
1883
4 15
Letter written by M. E. Bond addressed to O. F. Whitney
1883
4 16
Letter written by L. W. Peck addressed to O. F. Whitney
1884
4 17
Letter written by Susa Young Gates addressed to O. F. Whitney
1887
4 18
Letter written by Susa Young Gates addressed to Zine Whitney
1887
4 19
Letter written by H. N. Whitney addressed to his parents O. F. and Zine Whitney
1895
4 20
Letters written by Maggie addressed to O. F. Whitney
1900-1903
4 21
Letter written by Aunt Em addressed to O. F. Whitney
1908
4 22
Letter written by John Phillips Meakin addressed to O. F. Whitney
1911

Miscellaneous Correspondence of O. F. and Zine Whitney and their granddaughter Emily Smith, genealogy, and notes, 1879-1957Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
5 1
Letter written by Zine Whitney addressed to her mother
undated
5 2
Letter written by O. F. Whitney
1879
5 3
Letter written by O. F. Whitney addressed to A. O. Smoot
1882
5 4 1886-1957
5 5 1881-1957
5 6 1882-1957
5 7 1882-1957
5 8
Letters written by O. F. Whitney addressed to Musser
1877 August—November
5 9
Incomplete letters written by O. F. Whitney
1881—1883
5 10
Unidentified notes
undated
5 11
The genealogy of John and Elinor Whitney, compiled by Dottie Olson
undated

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Journalists--Utah--Salt Lake City--Correspondence
  • Mormon Church--Apostles--Correspondence
  • Mormon Church--Missions--England--Liverpool
  • Mormon missionaries--England--Liverpool--Correspondence

Corporate Names

  • Brigham Young College (Logan, Utah)

Geographical Names

  • Salt Lake City (Utah)--History

Titles within the Collection

  • Deseret News
  • Latter-day saints Millennial Star