Franklin H. Wyatt papers, 1894-1974

Franklin Horsecroft Wyatt was born on December 18, 1862 in Wellsville, Utah. Growing up in the frontier setting of Wellsville, Wyatt obtained only an eight-grade education. As a youth Wyatt grew up working on the family farm, and as a teenager working for a freighting company hauling goods between Idaho and Montana. On April 29, 1885, Wyatt married Elisabeth (Lizzie) Watson Archibald in the Logan Temple. After building a house near the family farm, the couple had a 13 children, with only seven living to maturity; Frank, Robert (Bob), Ralph, Caroline, Elizabeth, Edna, and Elsie.

In 1902, Wyatt was called to serve a two-and-half-year mission on the British Isles for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. During this period Wyatt served as president of the Shefield Conference, working in collaboration with numerous apostles in the LDS church. Upon returning to Wellsville in 1904, Wyatt worked his farm until 1924, when he sold the farm and bought a house in downtown Wellsville. Thereafter he became active in civic affairs, serving on the School Board of the Rural School Distinct and the East Field Irrigation Company Board of Directors.

In 1927 Wyatt was again called by the LDS church to serve as the District President of the Fresno California Mission, and served in this capacity for a total of 16 months. Upon returning he continued his work until December 31, 1940, when his wife Elizabeth died. Thereafter Wyatt spent summers in Wellsville and his winters in southern California, staying with his daughters Carol and Elizabeth. Franklin H. Wyatt died a the age of 89 on August 30, 1952.

Sources and additional studies:

History of Franklin Horsecroft Wyatt by Elizabeth Wyatt Winn. 1969. (Collection Mss 113, Box 1, Fd 1)