Orson Smith papers, 1889-1898

Overview of the Collection

Title
Orson Smith papers
Dates
1889-1898 (inclusive)
Quantity
2 boxes, (0.5 linear feet)
Collection Number
UUS_MSS 357
Summary
The Orson Smith papers contain correspondence and organization papers relating to Orson' Smith's experience with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It also contains business and real estate documents for Orson.
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, which he later donated to the city free of charge.

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. Over the years Smith was an active ordinance worker at the Logan LDS Temple including, serving there on the first day the temple was open in 1884. He also served for four years in Cardston, Canada, helping to develop the Mormon community there.

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

This collection contains correspondence to and from Orson Smith during his time as president of the Cache Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It spans the period from 1886 to 1896 and contains letters from the First Presidency of the LDS church as well as general leaders. The topics documented in this collection include the temple ordinance of Second Anointings, issues with local members of the church, priesthood ordinations, missions, temple attendance, and business and real estate transactions. The collection has been organized by type of document and then chronologically within each folder.

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 Smith papers 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 Smith papers USU_Coll MSS 357, Box [ ]. Special Collections and Archives. Utah State University Merrill-Cazier Library. Logan, Utah.

Following Citations: USU_Coll MSS 357, USUSCA.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

The collection has been organized by type of document and then chronologically within each folder.

Processing Note

Processed in April of 2011.

Acquisition Information

Most of this collection was purchased from a manuscript dealer in 2006. However, the contents of Box 1 folders 11 and 12 were purchased from Benchmark Books in 2013.

Related Materials

See also USU Collection MSS 18, Box 6, Folder 44 for short autobiographical sketch.

Bibliography

Obituary, Logan Herald Journal , August 6, 1935. Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia , by Andrew Jenson, 1901, Vol. 1, p. 407.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Correspondence, 1890-1896Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
1 1
First Presidency
1890
Box Folder
1 1
Item 1: Discussion of church government, signature of Geo. Q. Cannon
1890 September 03
1 1
Item 2: Discussion by Wilford Woodruff of his son Newton and his involvement in a Democratic political club, and Woodruff's counsel for Newton to withdraw
1890 September 23
1 1
Item 3: Discussion of ordination of C.J. Larsen as bishop, three signatures (W. Woodruff, G.Q. Cannon, and J.F. Smith)
1890 September 23
1 1
Item 4: Circular discussing church education program
1890 October 25
1 1
Item 5: Circular with prospectus discussing church involvement in the sugar industry
1890 November 14
1 1
Item 6: Correspondence from George Reynolds, Office of the First Presidency, regarding a dispute involving Elders T. E. Ricks and O. Hanson and referring the matter back to the local authorities
1890 December 23
1 1
Item 7: Correspondence from George Reynolds, Office of the First Presidency
Discussing missionary work and containing a list of missionaries to be called from the Cache Stake
1890 December 29
First Presidency
1891
Box Folder
1 2
Item 1: Discusses ordaining J.F. Wright bishop of Hyrum, Utah, three signatures
1891 February 6
1 2
Item 2: Circular asking for donations to the church
1891 June 1
1 2
Item 3: Handwritten letter discussing ordination procedures for high priests, three signatures
1891 June 4
1 2
Item 4: Handwritten letter discussing church government of the Cache Stake, two signatures
1891 June 4
1 2
Item 5: Discusses church government in Cache Valley, three signatures
1891 September 12
1 2
Item 6: Handwritten correspondence from George Reynolds, Office of the First Presidency, accompanying payment of $5,000 towards renovation of the Stake Tabernacle
1891 October 22
1 2
Item 7: Circular discussing church newspapers
1891 October 31
1 2
Item 8: Circular discussing temple recommend procedures
1891 November 10
1 2
Item 9: Circular asking for donations to aid in the construction of the SLC Temple, three signatures
1891 November 12
1 2
Item 10: Circular from F.D. Richards and Joseph F. Smith, Missionary Committee of the Apostles, asking that names of European born LDS members be forwarded for mission calls
1891 November 16
First Presidency
1892
Box Folder
1 3
Item 1: Telegram from Geo. Reynolds, Office of the First Presidency, asking for names of members of Cache Stake Board of Education
1892
1 3
Item 2: Discusses tithing officers in Cache Stake, three signatures
1892 January 14
1 3
Item 3: Correspondence from George Gibbs, Office of the First Presidency, forwarding a letter of complaint (not attached) regarding Bishop C.G. Larsen
1892 February 1
1 3
Item 4: =Correspondence from George Reynolds, Office of the First Presidency, regarding divorce proceedings between Ruth Hatch and Joel Ricks
1892 February 20
1 3
Item 5: Circular from L. John Nuttall, Office of the First Presidency, requesting ward information
1892 April 19
1 3
Item 6: Telegram from William Woodruff concerning postponement of stake conference
1892 April 26
1 3
Item 7: Telegram from George Gibbs, Office of the First Presidency, confirming that Presidents Woodruff and Cannon will be attending the stake conference
1892 May 5
1 3
Item 8: Handwritten letter from Joseph F. Smith discussing whether or not to allow Brother Obray to return home to tend to his sick wife
1892 June 15
1 3
Item 9: Correspondence from George Reynolds, Secretary of the First Presidency, forwarding a letter from F. A. Neuburger
1892 June 22
1 3
Item 10: Correspondence from George Reynolds, Secretary of the First Presidency, forwarding a letter from A.M. Ledingham
1892 June 27
1 3
Item 11: Correspondence from George Gibbs, Office of First Presidency, discussing a disagreement involving Moses and George Thatcher
1892 July 12
1 3
Item 12: Telegram from William Woodruff confirming that Elders Lyman, Grant and Abraham H. Cannon will attend the stake conference
1892 July 28
1 3
Item 13: Correspondence from George Reynolds, Secretary of the First Presidency, regarding an issue with the trustees of Brigham Young College in Logan
1892 September 3
1 3
Item 14: Correspondence from George Reynolds, Secretary of the First Presidency, transferring tithing money to support Brigham Young College
1892 September 17
1 3
Item 15: Correspondence from Wilford Woodruff discussing ecclesiastical divorces and temple marriage
1892 September 17
1 3
Item 16: Correspondence from George Reynolds, Secretary of the First Presidency, concerning the charter of the church school
1892 September 23
1 3
Item 17: Circular from LDS First Presidency discussing church newspapers
1892 October 15
1 3
Item 18: Correspondence from George Reynolds, Secretary of the First Presidency, regarding whether or not to call Charles Clayton to be a missionary to the Southern States
1892 October 27
1 3
Item 19: Correspondence from George Reynolds, Secretary of the First Presidency, regarding calling Benjamin Hyams as bishop of a new ward in Idaho
1892 November 10
1 3
Item 20: Handwritten correspondence from John Nuttall, Office of the First Presidency, concerning ward corporations in Cache Stake of Zion
1892 December 30
First Presidency
1893
Box Folder
1 4
Item 1: Correspondence from Wilford Woodruff and Joseph F. Smith
Discussing church government in Newton, Utah
1893 January 16
1 4
Item 2: Correspondence from Geo. Reynolds
Discussing cash flow problems
1893 January 23
1 4
Item 3: Correspondence from Geo. Reynolds
Discussing the petition for a German meeting house in Providence, Utah
1893 February 6
1 4
Item 4: Circular from Wilford Woodruff
Discussing attendance at the SLC Temple dedication
1893 February 24
1 4
Item 5: Circular from Wilford Woodruff
Discussing attendance at the SLC Temple dedication
1893 February 27
1 4
Item 6: Correspondence from W. Spence, Office of the First Presidency
Concerning train fare to attend the October conference
1893 March 9
1 4
Item 7: Correspondence from Wilford Woodruff
Discussing attendance at the SLC Temple dedication
1893 March 14
Item 8: Correspondence from LDS First Presidency
Discussing attendance at the SLC Temple dedication, no signature
1893 March 14
Box Folder
1 4
Item 9: Telegram from Wilford Woodruff
Requesting any information about increased numbers of people attending the SLC Temple dedication
1893 March 17
1 4
Item 10: Circular from LDS First Presidency
Discusses time slots for attending the SLC Temple dedication
1893 March 21
1 4
Item 11: Telegram from Wilford Woodruff
Proclaiming March 25 as a special day for fasting and prayer meetings
1893 March 21
1 4
Item 12: Correspondence from John Nicholson, Office of the First Presidency
Requesting names of stake officers who attended the SLC Temple dedication
1893 May 12
1 4
Item 13: Circular from LDS First Presidency
Requesting information about donors who contributed towards the construction of the SLC Temple
1893 May 22
1 4
Item 14: Correspondence from Geo. Reynolds
Discussing the petition to readmit John Abbott back into the church
1893 June 10
1 4
Item 15: Circular from LDS First Presidency
Discussing questions associated with the Edmunds-Tucker Act regarding marriage licenses and temple marriages
1893 July 5
1 4
Item 16: Correspondence from LDS First Presidency
Discussing a property sale and the Logan Tithing Office (2 copies)
1893 August 26
1 4
Item 17: Correspondence from James Jack
Discussing a credit at the bank
1893 September 27
1 4
Item 18: Correspondence from George Reynolds
Discussing the petition to restore Joel Ricks to the priesthood
1893 September 27
1 4
Item 19: Correspondence from F.D. Richards and Joseph F. Smith, Missionary Committee of the Apostles
Discussing the "present depression of business and lack of employment amongst" the Saints and asks, for the time being, that only members who have a sound financial background be sent on missions
1893 September 30
1 4
Item 20: Circular from LDS First Presidency
Regarding reporting church statistics
1893 October 14
1 4
Item 21: Telegram from George Q. Cannon arranging a call
1893 November 29
First Presidency
1894-1896
Box Folder
1 5
Item 1: Correspondence from George Reynolds, Secretary of the First Presidency
Regarding the question of restoring Elijah Pearce to the priesthood
1894 February 12
1 5
Item 2: Correspondence from George Reynolds, Secretary of the First Presidency
Regarding the question of whether a member can be expelled for not paying his debts
1894 February 12
1 5
Item 3: Handwritten correspondence from Joseph F. Smith discussing Brother Schiess
His divorce, and his financial debt to the church
1894 March 2
1 5
Item 4: Correspondence from George Reynolds, Secretary of the First Presidency
Regarding the divorce of Elizabeth Archibald and Brother Tims
1894 March 12
1 5
Item 5: Correspondence from George Reynolds, Secretary of the First Presidency
Notifying Smith of the approval of his slate of bishops and bishop's counselors candidates
1895 January 23
1 5
Item 6: Circular from LDS First Presidency
Discussing church attendance at the Trans-Mississippi Congress
1895 November 5
1 5
Item 7: Circular from LDS First Presidency
Discussing church governance concerning the Teachers Quorum, and the proper time for confessing the sin of adultery before the public
1895 December 18
1 5
Item 8: Telegram from Wilford Woodruff
Approving the appointment of John E. Rouche as bishop of Millville
1896 April 25
First Presidency, Second Anointings
1889-1891
Box Folder
1 6
Item 1: Correspondence to acting stake president George O. Pitkon from Wilford Woodruff
Discussing the procedures and qualifications for receivers of Second Anointings
1894 September 4
1 6
Item 2: Correspondence to acting stake president George O. Pitkon from George Reynolds, church president's office
Discusses the procedures and qualifications for receivers of Second Anointings
1890 June 23
1 6
Item 3: Correspondence from George Gibbs, Office of First Presidency
Discussing procedures and qualifications for receivers of Second Anointings
1891 July 9
1 6
Item 4: Correspondence from Wilford Woodruff
Discussing approval procedures for Second Anointings
1891 November 10

Second Annointing Recommends, 1892-1896Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
1 7
Item 1: Undated recommend from Bishop Thomas Smith
undated
1 7
Item 2: Recommends from J. Wright, Bishop of Hyrum
1892 August 5
1 7
Item 3: List of names from Hyrum for Second Anointing, no bishop signature.
1892 September 12
1 7
Item 4: Recommends from J. Wright, Bishop of Hyrum.
1892 November 2
1 7
Item 5: Recommend from William Hyde, Bishop of Logan 6th Ward.
1893 September 11
1 7
Item 6: List of names from G. Hyde for Second Annointing, Bishop of Hyde Park
1893 October 24
1 7
Item 7: Recommend from George Farrell, Bishop of Smithfield.
1894 March 2
1 7
Item 8: Recommend from George Farrell, Bishop of Smithfield.
1894 May 16
1 7
Item 9: Recommend from Sam Oldham, Bishop of Paradise.
1894 June 6
1 7
Item 10: Recommend from William Hyde, Bishop in Logan.
1894 June 7
1 7
Item 11: Recommend from George Farrell, Bishop of Smithfield.
1894 July 5
1 7
Item 12: Recommend from William H. Maughan, Bishop of Wellsville.
1894 October 16
1 7
Item 13: Recommend from George Farrell, Bishop of Smithfield.
1894 October 29
1 7
Item 14: Recommend from Robert Davids, Bishop in Logan.
1894 November 19
1 7
Item 15: Recommend from William H. Maughan, Bishop of Wellsville.
1894 December 8
1 7
Item 16: Recommend from William H. Maughan, Bishop of Wellsville.
1894 December 8
1 7
Item 17: Recommend from William H. Maughan, Bishop of Wellsville
1894 December 8
1 7
Item 18: List of names from Logan for Second Anointing, no bishop signature.
1894 December 11
1 7
Item 19: Recommend from William H. Maughan, Bishop of Wellsville
1894 December 15
1 7
Item 20: Recommend from William H. Maughan, Bishop of Wellsville
1894 December 15
1 7
Item 21: Recommend from William H. Maughan, Bishop of Wellsville
1894 December 16
1 7
Item 22: December 27, 1894. Recommend from William H. Maughan, Bishop of Wellsville
1894 December 27
1 7
Item 23: Recommend from William H. Maughan, Bishop of Wellsville
1895 January 8
1 7
Item 24: Recommend from George Farrell, Bishop of Smithfield
1895 March 25
1 7
Item 25: Recommend from John Jardine, Bishop of Clarkston.
1895 March 26
1 7
Item 26: Recommend from William H. Maughan, Bishop of Wellsville.
1895 June 5
1 7
Item 27: Recommend from A.S. Skanchy, Bishop of Logan 6th Ward
1895 June 7
1 7
Item 28: Recommend from George Farrell, Bishop of Smithfield
1895 June 24
1 7
Item 29: Recommend from Sam Oldham, Bishop of Paradise
1895 June 28
1 7
Item 30: Recommend from William H. Maughan, Bishop of Wellsville
1895 September 21
1 7
Item 31: Recommend from William Hill, Bishop of Mt. Sterling
1895 November 2
1 7
Item 32: Recommend from William H. Maughan, Bishop of Wellsville
1895 November 11
1 7
Item 33: List of names from George Farrell, Bishop of Smithfield
1895 November 28
1 7
Item 34: List of recommends from H. Hughes, Bishop of Mendon
1895 January 5
1 7
Item 35: Recommend from William H. Maughan, Bishop of Wellsville
1896 January 14
1 7
Item 36: Recommend from William H. Maughan, Bishop of Wellsville.
1896 January 15
1 7
Item 37: Recommend from Thomas X. Smith, Bishop of Logan 4th Ward
1896 January 27
1 7
Item 38: Recommend from Sam Oldham, Bishop of Paradise
1896 February 1
1 7
Item 39: List of recommends from Thomas X. Smith, Bishop of Logan 4th Ward
1896 February 12
1 7
Item 40: Recommend from Thomas X. Smith, Bishop of Logan 4th Ward
1896 February 16
1 7
Item 41: Recommend from Sam Oldham, Bishop of Paradise
1896 March 9
1 7
Item 42: Recommend from George Farrell, Bishop of Smithfield
1896 March 21
1 7
Item 43: Recommend from Sam Oldham, Bishop of Paradise
1896 March 23
1 7
Item 44: Recommend from Robert Davidson, Bishop in Logan
1896 May 2
1 7
Item 45: Recommend from J. Wright, Bishop of Hyrum
1896 May 22
1 7
Item 46: Recommend from William Hyde, Bishop of Logan 5th Ward
1896 September 27

Correspondence from the Presiding Bishopric, 1890-1896Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
1 8
Item 1: Presiding Bishopric
1890-1893
1 8
Item 2: Circular from the Presiding Bishopric (William B. Preston, F.J. Burton, John F. Winder)
Discussing changes in tithing settlement procedures
undated
1 8
Item 3: Letter from William B. Preston
Advising that blanks for tithing settlements had been sent out, as well as Circulars of Instructions
189? December 22
1 8
Item 4: Circular from the Presiding Bishopric of the LDS Church
Discussing handling of church owned livestock
1890 November 1
1 8
Item 5: Correspondence from the Presiding Bishopric
Discussing the appointment of Stake Tithing Clerks
1892 January 5
1 8
Item 6: Handwritten correspondence from the Presiding Bishopric
Discussing the disposal of surplus property in the stake
1892 January 8
1 8
Item 7: Handwritten correspondence from William B. Preston
Discussing annual labor reports
1892 January 12
1 8
Item 8: Telegram from William Preston
Discussing sale of church livestock in Cache Valley
1892 March 26
1 8
Item 9: Telegram from William Preston
Discussing sale of church livestock in Cache Valley
1892 May 16
1 8
Item 10: Circular from William Preston
Requesting a historical list of stake office holders
1893 January 14
1 8
Item 11: Correspondence from Presiding Bishopric
Regarding cash flow problems for the church and requesting that all cash assets be forwarded as soon as possible
1893 July 1
1 8
Item 12: Correspondence from Presiding Bishopric
Giving guidance in the disposal of church owned livestock
1893 September 27

Correspondence from LDS General Board of Education, 1892-1893Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
1 9
Item 1: Blank form letter of application to conduct schools under the Stake Board of Education
undated
1 9
Item 2: Handwritten correspondence from Karl G. Maeser, superintendent of Church education
Regarding an official visit to Logan to the Brigham Young College
1892 April 12
1 9
Item 3: Handwritten correspondence from Karl G. Maeser, superintendent of Church education
Regarding a proposal from Smith to conduct a Normal Class for Sunday School teachers at the Brigham Young College
1893 January 31
1 9
Item 4: Handwritten correspondence from Karl G. Maeser, superintendent of Church education
Regarding religious classes in Cache Stake
1893 December 6

Correspondence concerning the Moses Thatcher controversy, 1896 November 19Return to Top

Description Dates
Item 1: Telegraph from Lorenzo Snow announcing that the Council of Twelve Apostles met that day for a church court against Apostle Moses Thatcher with the decision that Moses Thatcher would be severed from the Council (severed from the "church" is crossed out)

Father's Thoughts in Verse, 1928Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
1 11
Item 1: Father's Thoughts in Verse:Poems by Orson Smith
Book of poems by Orson Smith as compiled by his children for his 75th birthday, with enscription and portrait of Orson Smith
July 1928
Items kept inside of "Father's Thoughts in Verse
1928-1933
Box Folder
1 12
Item 1: Letter to Orson Smith from his children on his 75th birthday
1928 July 4
1 12
Item 2: Letter to Orson Smith from daughter Maggie on his 80th Birhtday
1933 July 4
1 12
Item 3: 3 Portrait photographs of Orson Smith
1928

Incoming Correspondence, 1890-1895Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
2 1
Item 1: Note from L. John Nuttall
Explaining that the enclosed circulars about the Ward Corporations should be passed out
1890 December 19
2 1
Item 2: Note from Isaac M. Waddell
Explaining to Orson Smith that the semi-annual meeting of the Directors of the Ecclesiastical Corporations had a specific date on which they were directed to meet
1890 August 29
2 1
Item 3: Correspondence from Thomas E. Ricks, President of the Bannock Stake
Discussing a Brother Rigby who had written about his moving to Wyoming
1890 November 24
2 1
Item 4: Correspondence from William F. Rigby
Explaining that due to fear of arrest for polygamous charges he would not be returning to Logan, Utah from his home in Wyoming for a meeting
1890 November 24
2 1
Item 5: Letter from A. Milson
Regarding the cost of roofing, sizing of windows, and steam heating of the Logan Tabernacle
1891 April 29
2 1
Item 6: Letter from J. N. VanNoy
Explaining that it is impossible and useless for him to come down to Logan from Camas, Idaho
1891 June 24
2 1
Item 7: Letter from R.A. Bain
Discussing his reputation among others and his desire to be ordained as a high priest
1891 October 13
2 1
Item 8: Letter from Lavinia Bankhead
Discussing her testifying in the case of adultery between W.S. Poppleton and herself
1891 October 23
2 1
Item 9: Letter from Lavainia Bankhead
Thanking Orson Smith for his help in her case
1891 November 10
2 1
Item 10: Undated letter from Joseph Keep
Regarding his not being allowed to perform temple work for his dead relatives due to his being deaf
1892
2 1
Item 11: Letter from William Budge, then Stake President of the Bear Lake Stake
Enumerating yearling and two year old cattle and horses
1892 April 20
2 1
Item 12: Letter from Samuel Oldham
Asking whether they should send for a missionary in England whose wife was sick or leave him in the mission field
1892 June 12
2 1
Item 13: Letter from a Brother Turner
Explaining to Orson Smith and his counselors Turner's reasons for resigning from his position as a counselor to a Bishop Schanky, as well as a copy of the letter he sent to the bishop
1892 July 1
2 1
Item 14: A Letter from the Logan Temple Association (M. W. Merrill, President, and James A Leishman, Secretary)
Letting Orson Smith know of a special meeting of the Temple Association to hear the annual report and to elect officers for the next four years
1892 July 15
2 1
Item 15: A Copy of a resolution and rule of the Logan Temple Association
Calling for a special election, and establishing punishments for members of the Corporation who did not appear at a scheduled meeting of the Association
1892 July 15
2 1
Item 16: Letter from John King
Explaining that, contrary to previous reports, he had followed the advice of his bishop in regards to a disagreement he had with another brother in the ward
1892 July 20
2 1
Item 17: Letter from H. W. Jackson, A. O. Jackson and Francis J. Low
Discussing trouble between themselves and their neighbors in Paradise.
1893 August 28
2 1
Item 18: Letter from W. B. Parkinson
Explaining that he had gone to a different area than where he lived to get a recommend to the temple and his willingness to talk the matter over with President Smith
1896 November 19
2 1
Item 19: Letter from W.B. Parkinson
Explaining that he would be returning to Logan in a week to talk over his case with President Smith
1892 November 18
2 1
Item 20: Letter from J. F. Wright
Discussing names of individuals who were recommended to join the High Priest Quorum
1893 January 24
2 1
Item 21: Letter from L. John Nuttall
Explaining the ending of collecting for the Monthly Free Will Offering Fund until the completion of the Salt Lake City temple
1893 January 24
2 1
Item 22: Letter received from a J.F. Wright (most likely a John Fish Wright, the bishop of the Hyrum Ward, Cache County, Utah from 1891-1901)
Asking what action should be taken regarding a girl who had given birth, but denied "ever having any connection with a man." Also discusses a man who had deceived Orson Smith
1893 March 17
2 1
Item 23: Letter from Albert R. Smith, a Stake President in Colorado
Discussing the desire to hire a teacher of obstetrics and possible confusion in offering the wrong lady the job
1893 May 19
2 1
Item 24: Letter from Jeremiah W. Sanborn, the president of the Agricultural College of Utah
Giving President Smith a standing invitation to attend a weekly social
1893 September 29
2 1
Item 25: Letter from William L. Skidmore, a bishop in Richmond, Utah
Asking for advice in the case of a woman who had divorced her husband and wanted to remarry him again
1893 October 17
2 1
Item 26: Telegram from William B. Dougall
Regarding a bill recently passed by President Grover Cleveland that restored church personal property
1893 October 27
2 1
Item 27: Resignation of N. W. Haws from his position as Stake Clerk accompanied by a letter including last minute instructions and an apology for his need to resign
1893 November 14
2 1
Item 28: Letter from M. W. Merrill
Asking Orson Smith for help by his stake in acquiring wood to burn in the Logan Temple.
1893 December 1
2 1
Item 29: Letter from Joseph Wetherbee Carpenter granting permission to Orson Smith to do temple work for Ezra D. Carpenter
1894 February 24
2 1
Item 30: Letter from George Farrell
Discussing Benjamin Gibson's desire to have two of his wives who had passed away receive their second anointing
1894 March 7
2 1
Item 31: Letter from F. S. Richards
Discussing the return of Brother Nuttall and his coming to meet and organize a corporation
1896 November 19
2 1
Item 32: Letter from W.H. Griffin, the bishop of the Newton Ward, to Orson Smith
Discussing men who had paid for stock in a sugar factory that they could not claim
1894 May 3
2 1
Item 33: Letter from Marriner W. Merrill, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and president of the Logan Temple Association
Discussing the need and approval to repaint the woodwork on the outside of the Temple
1896 November 19
2 1
Item 34: Letter from Lorenzo Snow, then President of the Salt Lake Temple
Explaining that a circular had been mailed to each of the bishops in the Cache Stake
1894 August
2 1
Item 35: Note from L. John Nuttall to Orson Smith
Explaining that the semi-annual meeting of the Directors of the Ecclesiastical Corporations had a specific date on which they were directed to meet
1894 August 28
2 1
Item 36: Letter from Matthias F. Cowley
In regards to repayment of a loan to President Smith
1895 September 21
2 1
Item 37: Letter from Abraham H. Cannon, a member of the Council of Twelve Apostles
Passing on information from the Presidency to sell some privately owned property
1895 November 15
2 1
Item 38: Letter from Abraham H. Cannon, a member of the Council of Twelve Apostles
Passing on information from the Presidency to sell some privately owned property
1895 November 15

Outgoing Correspondence, 1891-1896Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
2 2
Item 1: Announcement signed by Orson Smith, S.M. Molen, and Isaac Smith indicating their support of a local newspaper
1891 September 25
2 2
Item 2: Letter from Orson Smith
Explaining his desire to sell cattle and horses and looking for prospective buyers, with names of interested parties written at the bottom of the page
1892 February 25
2 2
Item 3: Letter from Orson Smith and his counselors
Discussing the upcoming ward conferences
1892 December 29
2 2
Item 4: Letter from Abraham H. Cannon, a member of the Council of Twelve Apostles
Passing on information from the Presidency to sell some privately owned property
1895 November 15
2 2
Item 5: Form letter from the Cache Stake presidency to the bishops of the stake
Explaining information that had been sent out from the First Presidency
1895 November 15 - 1896

Third Party Correspondence, 1889-1896Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
2 3
Item 1: Letter from M. W. Merrill of the Logan Temple Presidency
Discussing the direction of the First Presidency to purchase the plot of land east of the Logan Temple and the means of raising funds to do so
1889 December 17
2 3
Item 2: Letter from Edward Kingsford to George Q. Cannon
Discussing a falling out Kingsford had with his bishop, his subsequent disfellowship and reinstatement, and his desire to attend church as an active member in the Franklin ward
1892 January 27
2 3
Item 3: Letter from A. H. Bissegger to President Wilford Woodruff
Discussing the events surrounding his wife petitioning for a divorce
1892 May 30
2 3
Item 4: Letter from Alexander M. Ledingham to President Wilford Woodruff
Discussing his displeasure at the prospect of a military drill being performed at the upcoming Fourth of July Celebration
1892 June 19
2 3
Item 5: Letter from Moses Thatcher to Isaac Smith
Asking for help in mediating a dispute between members of the church
1892 December 13
2 3
Item 6: Letter from H.A. Lewis to M.W. Merrill
Discussing a member of Lewis' local ward attending the temple without a proper recommend
1893 March 10
2 3
Item 7: Letter to W.B. Preston
Inquiring about the prospect of using a portion of the Tabernacle block for parties and celebrations
1893 May 12
2 3
Item 8: Letter to W.B. Preston
Giving answers to the questions about use of the Tabernacle block for parties and celebrations
1893 May 18
2 3
Item 9: Letter between Wilhil Fogelberg and his wife Anna
Discussing their marriage and daughter, and Anna's desire to move to Logan with him. Original in Swedish and English translation
1893 September 3
2 3
Item 10: Letter from Christian Nielsen Lund to Thomas X. Smith
Lund was the bishop of Wilhil Fogelberg's wife, Anna, and wrote to explain her complaints against her husband to Smith, who was a Bishop in Logan
1893 September 14
2 3
Item 11: Letter from William Mackey to J.E. Langford
Discussing Mackey's desire to sell some gold mines to Langford and Orson Smith
1894 February 20
2 3
Item 12: Letter from Christian Larsen to Presidents L. M. Molen and Isaac Smith
Asking forgiveness for his conduct during a previous Priesthood meeting
1896 February 3
2 3
Item 13: Undated list of propositions made by the Providence Ward
Regarding lumber rights signed by the bishop Samuel Oldham
undated

Cache Stake High Council Papers, 1889-1891Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
2 4
Item 1: Statement of High Council Funds
1890-1891 January 24
2 4
Item 2: Memo to Joseph Ellis Wilson, the clerk of the Cache Stake
1890 February 4
2 4
Item 3: High Council Missionary Appointments
1890-1891
2 4
Item 4: Schedules of High Council Visits throughout the Stake
undated
2 4
Item 5: Schedule of Ward Conferences
undated

Priesthood Ordinations, 1892-1896Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
2 5
Item 1: Letter from Samuel Oldham
Recommending C.C. Housley to be ordained to the office of High Priest
1892 January 11
2 5
Item 2: Letter from John M. Whitaker, General Secretary and treasurer of the First Council of Seventies
Explaining that no longer would men be ordained to the office of Seventy without special permission of the First Presidency
1894 February 8
2 5
Item 3: Letter from C. J. Larsen
Certifying that Olaf Pettersen was a member in good standing of the church and that he was recommended to become an Elder in the church
1895 April 28
2 5
Item 4: Certification of Charles Clemson's ordination to the office of Elder
1896 March 2
2 5
Item 5: Certification of Alberth Johersen's ordination to the office of Elder
1896 March 7
2 5
Item 6: Undated list of the Seventies from the 32nd Quorum
undated

Temple Statistic, 1890-1891Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
2 6
Item 1: Register of Logan Temple Ordinance Work for the year ending December 1890
1890
2 6
Item 2: Register of Ordinance Work performed during the year ending Dec 31, 1891 at the Logan, Manti, and St. George Temples
1891

Foreign Born and Home Mission Callings, 1891-1893Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
2 7
Item 1: Letter from Robert Daines in answer to a letter from Orson Smith about nationalities in the Elder's quorums
1891 December 4
2 7
Item 2: Note from John Cardon with names and ages of individuals from foreign countries
1891 December 17
2 7
Item 3: List of Foreign Born individuals from George L. Farrell
1891 December 17
2 7
Item 4: List of Foreign Born individuals in Richmond Ward from Bishop William Kidmorr
1891 December 19
2 7
Item 5: Letter from the Lewiston Ward
Explaining there are no foreign nationalities called for. Signed by W.H. Lewis
1891 December 20
2 7
Item 6: Letter from Hyrum, Utah listing foreign born members of the ward, signed J.F. Wright
1891 December 25
2 7
Item 7: Letter from Bishop H.W. Jackson
Explaining that there is a desire to serve missions in the Avon Ward, but that they are not financially able
1892 January 11
2 7
Item 8: Letter to the presidency of the Cache Stake from the Presidency of the 40th Quorum of the Seventies
Indicating individuals submitted to be home missionaries
1893 April 24

Tithing Records, 1889-1892Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
1 8
Item 1: List of Total Tithes of Cache Stake of Zion
1889-1890
1 8
Item 2: Aid to the poor for Cache Stake
1891
1 8
Item 3: Calculations about funds given to the poor in 1891
undated
1 8
Item 4: Cache Stake Tithes of 1891 and 1892 Compared
1892
1 8
Item 5: Telegraph from R.S. Campbell to William B. Preston
Discussing the number of stock on hand at the end of the year
1892 March 17
1 8
Item 6: Tithing Store House record of materials distributed to Orson Smith
1894 June 18
1 8
Item 7: Funds paid and tithing received for the year 1891
1891

Business and Real Estate, 1886-1895Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
2 9
Item 1: A sworn affidavit of Elizabeth P. Law that she had been a midwife for the past fifteen years and that she witnessed the birth of Katie Carpenter, the daughter of Ezra D. Carpenter
1886 February 27
2 9
Item 2: A sworn affidavit of Orson Smith that Katie Carpenter is the daughter of Ezra D. Carpenter
1886 February 27
2 9
Item 3: Letter from James C. Turner
A man interested in purchasing some cattle from Orson Smith, inquiring about the price of yearling steers and two year olds
1892 February 29
2 9
Item 4: A deed of sale for land in Logan City between Nils Rosengreen and William J. Kerr, notarized by Elias Kimball
1892 March 9
2 9
Item 5: Letter from John Spencer
Inquiring about the price of cattle that Orson Smith was selling
1892 March 10
2 9
Item 6: Letter from W. J. Kerr
Discussing the property purchased by from Mr. Rosengreen as well as repayment plans
1892 June 2
2 9
Item 7: Letter from Nils Rosengreen to Orson Smith
Explaining that the land Smith purchased from W.J. Kerr was adjoining a lot that Rosengreen still owned and that Smith now owned the rights to a lane to enter Rosengreen's property. Rosengreen asked whether the lane would remain open
1892 June 6
2 9
Item 8: Letter from Orson Smith to Nils Rosengreen
Instructing him to contact Smith to open a lane to Rosengreen's property
1892 June 8
2 9
Item 9: Telegram to Orson Smith from the Western Loan Savings Company
Explaining when a loan would be paid
1892 October 24
2 9
Item 10: From Orson Smith to Edwin Summers
Request for payment and signature of receipt for $12.50
1892 October 29
2 9
Item 11: Letter from Western Loan and Savings Company
Explaining that the loan to Orson Smith had been forwarded to Thatcher Bros. Banking Company
1892 November 7
2 9
Item 12: Bill and receipt of payment between Orson Smith and Thomas Goodwin for real estate purchasing costs, totaling $42.35
1892 November 9
2 9
Item 13: Letter from W. J. Kerr
Requesting payment of funds by Orson Smith so that Kerr could use the same money to pay back his own loan at a bank
1892 November 11
2 9
Item 14: Letter from W. J. Kerr
Acknowledging receipt of money from Orson Smith
1892 November 16
2 9
Item 15: Letter from the Western Loan and Savings Company
Inquiring about the cancellation of an insurance policy
1892 December 29
2 9
Item 16: Letter from the Western Loan and Savings Company
Explaining the costs for cancelling the insurance policy
1893 January 5
2 9
Item 17: Letter signed by Jacob Spare in the witness of a Notary Public
Signing over his property rights to Orson Smith in the instance of Spare not paying back his debt to Smith
1893 April 26
2 9
Item 18: Letter from W. J. Kerr
Discussing financial stresses throughout the territory and the repayment Orson Smith owed
1893 November 9
2 9
Item 19: Letter from William M. Mackey
Inviting Orson Smith to come to the mines in Nevada to make his fortune
1894 January 11
2 9
Item 20: Letter from F. S. Richards
Regarding the establishment of a corporation being created in Logan
1894 March 19
2 9
Item 21: Telegram From Hugh J. Cannon
Regarding cars passing through Milford
1894 August 25
2 9
Item 22: Telegram from Consolidated Imp. Co.
About wagons that had been loaded
1894 September 9
2 9
Item 23: Letter discussing a Bill of Sale and note with directions to see a Notary Public and Justice of the Peace
1894 December 28
2 9
Item 24: Letter from Sterling Williams
Discussing the sale of some stock held by Mary Smith in Cardston, Alberta, Canada
1895 January 30
2 9
Item 25: Note indicating a cashiers check had come from Sterling Williams
1895 August 10
2 9
Item 26: Letter from the Western Loan and Savings Company
Discussing payment of fines for delinquency on installment payments
1895 November 30
2 9
Item 27: Receipt from State Irrigation Association for Utah for paying $1.00 for membership fee and literature
Discussing payment of fines for delinquency on installment payments
undated

Union Gas Engine Company Correspondence, 1895Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
2 10
Item 1: Letter from John Daly, President of the Union Gas Engine Company, regarding purchase and payment of an engine and hoist for mining
1895 May 31
2 10
Item 2: Letter from John Daly
Inquiring as to why the Union Gas Engine Company had not yet received information from the mine
1895 June 18
2 10
Item 3: Letter from John Daly
Explaining that there was, as of yet, still no word from the mine
1895 June 25
2 10
Item 4: Letter from John Daly
Explaining that it was near impossible to contact the mine, and asking for an advance of payment
1895 June 27
2 10
Item 5: Letter from John Daly
Acknowledging receipt of an order for a 12 HP engine, and payment had been arranged
1895 September 17
2 10
Item 6: Shipping receipt from the Union Gas Engine Company to Orson Smith for an engine.
1895 September 28
2 10
Item 7: Letter from the Union Gas Engine Company
Explaining invoice for the 12 HP engine and bill for payment
1895 October 1
2 10
Item 8: Letter from the Union Gas Engine Company
Discussing receipt of payment, and a new form of guarantee which had been signed by other individuals and sent to Orson Smith
1895 October 21
2 10
Item 9: Letter from the Union Gas Engine Company
Full of answers to questions that had been previously asked by Orson Smith
1895 October 29
2 10
Item 10: Letter from the Union Gas Engine Company
Answer questions proposed by Orson Smith in a previous letter
1895 November 5
2 10
Item 11: Letter from the Union Gas Engine Company
Explaining possible reasons for a part breaking on Orson Smith's engine, and that a replacement part was being delivered
1895 November 11
2 10
Item 12: Letter from the Union Gas Engine Company
Discussing Smith's use of the engine
1895 November 15
2 10
Item 13: Letter from the Union Gas Engine Company
Discussing repairs Smith had made on his engine
1895 November 15
2 10
Item 14: Letter from the Union Gas Engine Company
In response to a letter sent from Smith on November 23
1895 November 25
2 10
Item 15: Letter from the Union Gas Engine Company to F.J. Hammerland
Discussing mailing of a catalogue and advising Hammerland to talk with Orson Smith about an engine Hammerland was interested in
1895 December 2

Business Receipts, undatedReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
2 11
Receipts
undated
2 12
Receipts not on company letterhead
undated
2 13
Handwritten receipts
undated
2 14
Promise to Pay
undated
2 15
Check
Check from Orson Smith to Commercial National Bank
undated
2 16
Deseret News Flyer
Flyer explaining that the Deseret News was not funded by the LDS Church and requesting leaders of the church to subscribe
1891 October 31

Viavi Correspondence and Related Material, 1894-1921Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
2 17
Item 1: Letter from Joseph F. Smith to Orson F. Smith
About LDS church leadership concerns with the company Viavi being a fraudulent money scheme
1894 January 30
2 17
Item 2: Viavi advertisement, Salt Lake Herald (2 copies)
1892 January 28
2 17
Item 3: Viavi article/advertisement, Utah Journal
1893 December 30
2 17
Item 4: Viavi advertisement, Utah Journal
1893 December 30
2 17
Item 5: Newspaper report on Viavi health lecture by Dr. V.L.Halliday, Davis County Clipper
1897 February 12
2 17
Item 6: Viavi newspaper advertisement
1909 May 7
2 17
Item 7: Newspaper announcement of beauty parlor opening which specialized in Viavi massage treatments, Box Elder Newspaper
1921 June 21