Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library, Special Collections & Archives
Orson Smith papers
UUS_MSS 357
2 boxes
0.5 linear feet
1889-1898
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.
Material in English
Processed in April of 2011.
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.
No restrictions on use, except: not available through interlibrary loan.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The collection has been organized by type of document and then chronologically within each folder.
See also USU Collection MSS 18, Box 6, Folder 44 for short autobiographical sketch.
Obituary, Logan Herald Journal , August 6, 1935.
Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia , by Andrew Jenson, 1901, Vol. 1, p. 407.
Temple Work (Mormon Church)--Utah--Cache County
Stakes (Mormon Church)--Utah--Cache Valley--History--19th century
Mormons--Utah--Cache County--History--19th century
Ranching
Agriculture
Economics and Banking
Transportation
Missionaries
Mormonism (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Correspondence
Correspondence
1890-1896
(6 folders)
First Presidency
1890
1
1
Discussion of church government, signature of Geo. Q. Cannon
Item 1
1890 September 03
1
1
Discussion by Wilford Woodruff of his son Newton and his involvement in a Democratic political club, and Woodruff's counsel for Newton to withdraw
Item 2
1890 September 23
1
1
Discussion of ordination of C.J. Larsen as bishop, three signatures (W. Woodruff, G.Q. Cannon, and J.F. Smith)
Item 3
1890 September 23
1
1
Circular discussing church education program
Item 4
1890 October 25
1
1
Circular with prospectus discussing church involvement in the sugar industry
Item 5
1890 November 14
1
1
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
Item 6
1890 December 23
1
1
Correspondence from George Reynolds, Office of the First Presidency
Item 7
1890 December 29
1
1
Discussing missionary work and containing a list of missionaries to be called from the Cache Stake
First Presidency
1891
Discusses ordaining J.F. Wright bishop of Hyrum, Utah, three signatures
Item 1
1891 February 6
1
2
Circular asking for donations to the church
Item 2
1891 June 1
1
2
Handwritten letter discussing ordination procedures for high priests, three signatures
Item 3
1891 June 4
1
2
Handwritten letter discussing church government of the Cache Stake, two signatures
Item 4
1891 June 4
1
2
Discusses church government in Cache Valley, three signatures
Item 5
1891 September 12
1
2
Handwritten correspondence from George Reynolds, Office of the First Presidency, accompanying payment of $5,000 towards renovation of the Stake Tabernacle
Item 6
1891 October 22
1
2
Circular discussing church newspapers
Item 7
1891 October 31
1
2
Circular discussing temple recommend procedures
Item 8
1891 November 10
1
2
Circular asking for donations to aid in the construction of the SLC Temple, three signatures
Item 9
1891 November 12
1
2
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
Item 10
1891 November 16
1
2
First Presidency
1892
Telegram from Geo. Reynolds, Office of the First Presidency, asking for names of members of Cache Stake Board of Education
Item 1
1892
1
3
Discusses tithing officers in Cache Stake, three signatures
Item 2
1892 January 14
1
3
Correspondence from George Gibbs, Office of the First Presidency, forwarding a letter of complaint (not attached) regarding Bishop C.G. Larsen
Item 3
1892 February 1
1
3
=Correspondence from George Reynolds, Office of the First Presidency, regarding divorce proceedings between Ruth Hatch and Joel Ricks
Item 4
1892 February 20
1
3
Circular from L. John Nuttall, Office of the First Presidency, requesting ward information
Item 5
1892 April 19
1
3
Telegram from William Woodruff concerning postponement of stake conference
Item 6
1892 April 26
1
3
Telegram from George Gibbs, Office of the First Presidency, confirming that Presidents Woodruff and Cannon will be attending the stake conference
Item 7
1892 May 5
1
3
Handwritten letter from Joseph F. Smith discussing whether or not to allow Brother Obray to return home to tend to his sick wife
Item 8
1892 June 15
1
3
Correspondence from George Reynolds, Secretary of the First Presidency, forwarding a letter from F. A. Neuburger
Item 9
1892 June 22
1
3
Correspondence from George Reynolds, Secretary of the First Presidency, forwarding a letter from A.M. Ledingham
Item 10
1892 June 27
1
3
Correspondence from George Gibbs, Office of First Presidency, discussing a disagreement involving Moses and George Thatcher
Item 11
1892 July 12
1
3
Telegram from William Woodruff confirming that Elders Lyman, Grant and Abraham H. Cannon will attend the stake conference
Item 12
1892 July 28
1
3
Correspondence from George Reynolds, Secretary of the First Presidency, regarding an issue with the trustees of Brigham Young College in Logan
Item 13
1892 September 3
1
3
Correspondence from George Reynolds, Secretary of the First Presidency, transferring tithing money to support Brigham Young College
Item 14
1892 September 17
1
3
Correspondence from Wilford Woodruff discussing ecclesiastical divorces and temple marriage
Item 15
1892 September 17
1
3
Correspondence from George Reynolds, Secretary of the First Presidency, concerning the charter of the church school
Item 16
1892 September 23
1
3
Circular from LDS First Presidency discussing church newspapers
Item 17
1892 October 15
1
3
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
Item 18
1892 October 27
1
3
Correspondence from George Reynolds, Secretary of the First Presidency, regarding calling Benjamin Hyams as bishop of a new ward in Idaho
Item 19
1892 November 10
1
3
Handwritten correspondence from John Nuttall, Office of the First Presidency, concerning ward corporations in Cache Stake of Zion
Item 20
1892 December 30
1
3
First Presidency
1893
Correspondence from Wilford Woodruff and Joseph F. Smith
Item 1
1893 January 16
1
4
Discussing church government in Newton, Utah
Correspondence from Geo. Reynolds
Item 2
1893 January 23
1
4
Discussing cash flow problems
Correspondence from Geo. Reynolds
Item 3
1893 February 6
1
4
Discussing the petition for a German meeting house in Providence, Utah
Circular from Wilford Woodruff
Item 4
1893 February 24
1
4
Discussing attendance at the SLC Temple dedication
Circular from Wilford Woodruff
Item 5
1893 February 27
1
4
Discussing attendance at the SLC Temple dedication
Correspondence from W. Spence, Office of the First Presidency
Item 6
1893 March 9
1
4
Concerning train fare to attend the October conference
Correspondence from Wilford Woodruff
Item 7
1893 March 14
1
4
Discussing attendance at the SLC Temple dedication
Correspondence from LDS First Presidency
Item 8
1893 March 14
Discussing attendance at the SLC Temple dedication, no signature
Telegram from Wilford Woodruff
Item 9
1893 March 17
1
4
Requesting any information about increased numbers of people attending the SLC Temple dedication
Circular from LDS First Presidency
Item 10
1893 March 21
1
4
Discusses time slots for attending the SLC Temple dedication
Telegram from Wilford Woodruff
Item 11
1893 March 21
1
4
Proclaiming March 25 as a special day for fasting and prayer meetings
Correspondence from John Nicholson, Office of the First Presidency
Item 12
1893 May 12
1
4
Requesting names of stake officers who attended the SLC Temple dedication
Circular from LDS First Presidency
Item 13
1893 May 22
1
4
Requesting information about donors who contributed towards the construction of the SLC Temple
Correspondence from Geo. Reynolds
Item 14
1893 June 10
1
4
Discussing the petition to readmit John Abbott back into the church
Circular from LDS First Presidency
Item 15
1893 July 5
1
4
Discussing questions associated with the Edmunds-Tucker Act regarding marriage licenses and temple marriages
Correspondence from LDS First Presidency
Item 16
1893 August 26
1
4
Discussing a property sale and the Logan Tithing Office (2 copies)
Correspondence from James Jack
Item 17
1893 September 27
1
4
Discussing a credit at the bank
Correspondence from George Reynolds
Item 18
1893 September 27
1
4
Discussing the petition to restore Joel Ricks to the priesthood
Correspondence from F.D. Richards and Joseph F. Smith, Missionary Committee of the Apostles
Item 19
1893 September 30
1
4
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
Circular from LDS First Presidency
Item 20
1893 October 14
1
4
Regarding reporting church statistics
Telegram from George Q. Cannon arranging a call
Item 21
1893 November 29
1
4
First Presidency
1894-1896
Correspondence from George Reynolds, Secretary of the First Presidency
Item 1
1894 February 12
1
5
Regarding the question of restoring Elijah Pearce to the priesthood
Correspondence from George Reynolds, Secretary of the First Presidency
Item 2
1894 February 12
1
5
Regarding the question of whether a member can be expelled for not paying his debts
Handwritten correspondence from Joseph F. Smith discussing Brother Schiess
Item 3
1894 March 2
1
5
His divorce, and his financial debt to the church
Correspondence from George Reynolds, Secretary of the First Presidency
Item 4
1894 March 12
1
5
Regarding the divorce of Elizabeth Archibald and Brother Tims
Correspondence from George Reynolds, Secretary of the First Presidency
Item 5
1895 January 23
1
5
Notifying Smith of the approval of his slate of bishops and bishop's counselors candidates
Circular from LDS First Presidency
Item 6
1895 November 5
1
5
Discussing church attendance at the Trans-Mississippi Congress
Circular from LDS First Presidency
Item 7
1895 December 18
1
5
Discussing church governance concerning the Teachers Quorum, and the proper time for confessing the sin of adultery before the public
Telegram from Wilford Woodruff
Item 8
1896 April 25
1
5
Approving the appointment of John E. Rouche as bishop of Millville
First Presidency, Second Anointings
1889-1891
Correspondence to acting stake president George O. Pitkon from Wilford Woodruff
Item 1
1894 September 4
1
6
Discussing the procedures and qualifications for receivers of Second Anointings
Correspondence to acting stake president George O. Pitkon from George Reynolds, church president's office
Item 2
1890 June 23
1
6
Discusses the procedures and qualifications for receivers of Second Anointings
Correspondence from George Gibbs, Office of First Presidency
Item 3
1891 July 9
1
6
Discussing procedures and qualifications for receivers of Second Anointings
Correspondence from Wilford Woodruff
Item 4
1891 November 10
1
6
Discussing approval procedures for Second Anointings
Second Annointing Recommends
1892-1896
(1 folder, 44 Recommends)
Undated recommend from Bishop Thomas Smith
Item 1
undated
1
7
Recommends from J. Wright, Bishop of Hyrum
Item 2
1892 August 5
1
7
List of names from Hyrum for Second Anointing, no bishop signature.
Item 3
1892 September 12
1
7
Recommends from J. Wright, Bishop of Hyrum.
Item 4
1892 November 2
1
7
Recommend from William Hyde, Bishop of Logan 6th Ward.
Item 5
1893 September 11
1
7
List of names from G. Hyde for Second Annointing, Bishop of Hyde Park
Item 6
1893 October 24
1
7
Recommend from George Farrell, Bishop of Smithfield.
Item 7
1894 March 2
1
7
Recommend from George Farrell, Bishop of Smithfield.
Item 8
1894 May 16
1
7
Recommend from Sam Oldham, Bishop of Paradise.
Item 9
1894 June 6
1
7
Recommend from William Hyde, Bishop in Logan.
Item 10
1894 June 7
1
7
Recommend from George Farrell, Bishop of Smithfield.
Item 11
1894 July 5
1
7
Recommend from William H. Maughan, Bishop of Wellsville.
Item 12
1894 October 16
1
7
Recommend from George Farrell, Bishop of Smithfield.
Item 13
1894 October 29
1
7
Recommend from Robert Davids, Bishop in Logan.
Item 14
1894 November 19
1
7
Recommend from William H. Maughan, Bishop of Wellsville.
Item 15
1894 December 8
1
7
Recommend from William H. Maughan, Bishop of Wellsville.
Item 16
1894 December 8
1
7
Recommend from William H. Maughan, Bishop of Wellsville
Item 17
1894 December 8
1
7
List of names from Logan for Second Anointing, no bishop signature.
Item 18
1894 December 11
1
7
Recommend from William H. Maughan, Bishop of Wellsville
Item 19
1894 December 15
1
7
Recommend from William H. Maughan, Bishop of Wellsville
Item 20
1894 December 15
1
7
Recommend from William H. Maughan, Bishop of Wellsville
Item 21
1894 December 16
1
7
December 27, 1894. Recommend from William H. Maughan, Bishop of Wellsville
Item 22
1894 December 27
1
7
Recommend from William H. Maughan, Bishop of Wellsville
Item 23
1895 January 8
1
7
Recommend from George Farrell, Bishop of Smithfield
Item 24
1895 March 25
1
7
Recommend from John Jardine, Bishop of Clarkston.
Item 25
1895 March 26
1
7
Recommend from William H. Maughan, Bishop of Wellsville.
Item 26
1895 June 5
1
7
Recommend from A.S. Skanchy, Bishop of Logan 6th Ward
Item 27
1895 June 7
1
7
Recommend from George Farrell, Bishop of Smithfield
Item 28
1895 June 24
1
7
Recommend from Sam Oldham, Bishop of Paradise
Item 29
1895 June 28
1
7
Recommend from William H. Maughan, Bishop of Wellsville
Item 30
1895 September 21
1
7
Recommend from William Hill, Bishop of Mt. Sterling
Item 31
1895 November 2
1
7
Recommend from William H. Maughan, Bishop of Wellsville
Item 32
1895 November 11
1
7
List of names from George Farrell, Bishop of Smithfield
Item 33
1895 November 28
1
7
List of recommends from H. Hughes, Bishop of Mendon
Item 34
1895 January 5
1
7
Recommend from William H. Maughan, Bishop of Wellsville
Item 35
1896 January 14
1
7
Recommend from William H. Maughan, Bishop of Wellsville.
Item 36
1896 January 15
1
7
Recommend from Thomas X. Smith, Bishop of Logan 4th Ward
Item 37
1896 January 27
1
7
Recommend from Sam Oldham, Bishop of Paradise
Item 38
1896 February 1
1
7
List of recommends from Thomas X. Smith, Bishop of Logan 4th Ward
Item 39
1896 February 12
1
7
Recommend from Thomas X. Smith, Bishop of Logan 4th Ward
Item 40
1896 February 16
1
7
Recommend from Sam Oldham, Bishop of Paradise
Item 41
1896 March 9
1
7
Recommend from George Farrell, Bishop of Smithfield
Item 42
1896 March 21
1
7
Recommend from Sam Oldham, Bishop of Paradise
Item 43
1896 March 23
1
7
Recommend from Robert Davidson, Bishop in Logan
Item 44
1896 May 2
1
7
Recommend from J. Wright, Bishop of Hyrum
Item 45
1896 May 22
1
7
Recommend from William Hyde, Bishop of Logan 5th Ward
Item 46
1896 September 27
1
7
Correspondence from the Presiding Bishopric
1890-1896
(11 items)
Presiding Bishopric
Item 1
1890-1893
1
8
Circular from the Presiding Bishopric (William B. Preston, F.J. Burton, John F. Winder)
Item 2
undated
1
8
Discussing changes in tithing settlement procedures
Letter from William B. Preston
Item 3
189? December 22
1
8
Advising that blanks for tithing settlements had been sent out, as well as Circulars of Instructions
Circular from the Presiding Bishopric of the LDS Church
Item 4
1890 November 1
1
8
Discussing handling of church owned livestock
Correspondence from the Presiding Bishopric
Item 5
1892 January 5
1
8
Discussing the appointment of Stake Tithing Clerks
Handwritten correspondence from the Presiding Bishopric
Item 6
1892 January 8
1
8
Discussing the disposal of surplus property in the stake
Handwritten correspondence from William B. Preston
Item 7
1892 January 12
1
8
Discussing annual labor reports
Telegram from William Preston
Item 8
1892 March 26
1
8
Discussing sale of church livestock in Cache Valley
Telegram from William Preston
Item 9
1892 May 16
1
8
Discussing sale of church livestock in Cache Valley
Circular from William Preston
Item 10
1893 January 14
1
8
Requesting a historical list of stake office holders
Correspondence from Presiding Bishopric
Item 11
1893 July 1
1
8
Regarding cash flow problems for the church and requesting that all cash assets be forwarded as soon as possible
Correspondence from Presiding Bishopric
Item 12
1893 September 27
1
8
Giving guidance in the disposal of church owned livestock
Correspondence from LDS General Board of Education
1892-1893
(4 folders)
Blank form letter of application to conduct schools under the Stake Board of Education
Item 1
undated
1
9
Handwritten correspondence from Karl G. Maeser, superintendent of Church education
Item 2
1892 April 12
1
9
Regarding an official visit to Logan to the Brigham Young College
Handwritten correspondence from Karl G. Maeser, superintendent of Church education
Item 3
1893 January 31
1
9
Regarding a proposal from Smith to conduct a Normal Class for Sunday School teachers at the Brigham Young College
Handwritten correspondence from Karl G. Maeser, superintendent of Church education
Item 4
1893 December 6
1
9
Regarding religious classes in Cache Stake
Correspondence concerning the Moses Thatcher controversy
1896 November 19
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)
Item 1
Father's Thoughts in Verse
1928
(2 folders)
Father's Thoughts in Verse:Poems by Orson Smith
Item 1
July 1928
1
11
Book of poems by Orson Smith as compiled by his children for his 75th birthday, with enscription and portrait of Orson Smith
Items kept inside of "Father's Thoughts in Verse
1928-1933
Letter to Orson Smith from his children on his 75th birthday
Item 1
1928 July 4
1
12
Letter to Orson Smith from daughter Maggie on his 80th Birhtday
Item 2
1933 July 4
1
12
3 Portrait photographs of Orson Smith
Item 3
1928
1
12
Incoming Correspondence
1890-1895
(38 items)
Note from L. John Nuttall
Item 1
1890 December 19
2
1
Explaining that the enclosed circulars about the Ward Corporations should be passed out
Note from Isaac M. Waddell
Item 2
1890 August 29
2
1
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
Correspondence from Thomas E. Ricks, President of the Bannock Stake
Item 3
1890 November 24
2
1
Discussing a Brother Rigby who had written about his moving to Wyoming
Correspondence from William F. Rigby
Item 4
1890 November 24
2
1
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
Letter from A. Milson
Item 5
1891 April 29
2
1
Regarding the cost of roofing, sizing of windows, and steam heating of the Logan Tabernacle
Letter from J. N. VanNoy
Item 6
1891 June 24
2
1
Explaining that it is impossible and useless for him to come down to Logan from Camas, Idaho
Letter from R.A. Bain
Item 7
1891 October 13
2
1
Discussing his reputation among others and his desire to be ordained as a high priest
Letter from Lavinia Bankhead
Item 8
1891 October 23
2
1
Discussing her testifying in the case of adultery between W.S. Poppleton and herself
Letter from Lavainia Bankhead
Item 9
1891 November 10
2
1
Thanking Orson Smith for his help in her case
Undated letter from Joseph Keep
Item 10
1892
2
1
Regarding his not being allowed to perform temple work for his dead relatives due to his being deaf
Letter from William Budge, then Stake President of the Bear Lake Stake
Item 11
1892 April 20
2
1
Enumerating yearling and two year old cattle and horses
Letter from Samuel Oldham
Item 12
1892 June 12
2
1
Asking whether they should send for a missionary in England whose wife was sick or leave him in the mission field
Letter from a Brother Turner
Item 13
1892 July 1
(2 pieces)
2
1
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
A Letter from the Logan Temple Association (M. W. Merrill, President, and James A Leishman, Secretary)
Item 14
1892 July 15
2
1
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
A Copy of a resolution and rule of the Logan Temple Association
Item 15
1892 July 15
2
1
Calling for a special election, and establishing punishments for members of the Corporation who did not appear at a scheduled meeting of the Association
Letter from John King
Item 16
1892 July 20
2
1
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
Letter from H. W. Jackson, A. O. Jackson and Francis J. Low
Item 17
1893 August 28
2
1
Discussing trouble between themselves and their neighbors in Paradise.
Letter from W. B. Parkinson
Item 18
1896 November 19
2
1
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
Letter from W.B. Parkinson
Item 19
1892 November 18
2
1
Explaining that he would be returning to Logan in a week to talk over his case with President Smith
Letter from J. F. Wright
Item 20
1893 January 24
2
1
Discussing names of individuals who were recommended to join the High Priest Quorum
Letter from L. John Nuttall
Item 21
1893 January 24
2
1
Explaining the ending of collecting for the Monthly Free Will Offering Fund until the completion of the Salt Lake City temple
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)
Item 22
1893 March 17
2
1
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
Letter from Albert R. Smith, a Stake President in Colorado
Item 23
1893 May 19
2
1
Discussing the desire to hire a teacher of obstetrics and possible confusion in offering the wrong lady the job
Letter from Jeremiah W. Sanborn, the president of the Agricultural College of Utah
Item 24
1893 September 29
2
1
Giving President Smith a standing invitation to attend a weekly social
Letter from William L. Skidmore, a bishop in Richmond, Utah
Item 25
1893 October 17
2
1
Asking for advice in the case of a woman who had divorced her husband and wanted to remarry him again
Telegram from William B. Dougall
Item 26
1893 October 27
2
1
Regarding a bill recently passed by President Grover Cleveland that restored church personal property
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
Item 27
1893 November 14
2
1
Letter from M. W. Merrill
Item 28
1893 December 1
2
1
Asking Orson Smith for help by his stake in acquiring wood to burn in the Logan Temple.
Letter from Joseph Wetherbee Carpenter granting permission to Orson Smith to do temple work for Ezra D. Carpenter
Item 29
1894 February 24
2
1
Letter from George Farrell
Item 30
1894 March 7
2
1
Discussing Benjamin Gibson's desire to have two of his wives who had passed away receive their second anointing
Letter from F. S. Richards
Item 31
1896 November 19
2
1
Discussing the return of Brother Nuttall and his coming to meet and organize a corporation
Letter from W.H. Griffin, the bishop of the Newton Ward, to Orson Smith
Item 32
1894 May 3
2
1
Discussing men who had paid for stock in a sugar factory that they could not claim
Letter from Marriner W. Merrill, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and president of the Logan Temple Association
Item 33
1896 November 19
2
1
Discussing the need and approval to repaint the woodwork on the outside of the Temple
Letter from Lorenzo Snow, then President of the Salt Lake Temple
Item 34
1894 August
2
1
Explaining that a circular had been mailed to each of the bishops in the Cache Stake
Note from L. John Nuttall to Orson Smith
Item 35
1894 August 28
2
1
Explaining that the semi-annual meeting of the Directors of the Ecclesiastical Corporations had a specific date on which they were directed to meet
Letter from Matthias F. Cowley
Item 36
1895 September 21
2
1
In regards to repayment of a loan to President Smith
Letter from Abraham H. Cannon, a member of the Council of Twelve Apostles
Item 37
1895 November 15
2
1
Passing on information from the Presidency to sell some privately owned property
Letter from Abraham H. Cannon, a member of the Council of Twelve Apostles
Item 38
1895 November 15
2
1
Passing on information from the Presidency to sell some privately owned property
Outgoing Correspondence
1891-1896
Announcement signed by Orson Smith, S.M. Molen, and Isaac Smith indicating their support of a local newspaper
Item 1
1891 September 25
2
2
Letter from Orson Smith
Item 2
1892 February 25
2
2
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
Letter from Orson Smith and his counselors
Item 3
1892 December 29
2
2
Discussing the upcoming ward conferences
Letter from Abraham H. Cannon, a member of the Council of Twelve Apostles
Item 4
1895 November 15
2
2
Passing on information from the Presidency to sell some privately owned property
Form letter from the Cache Stake presidency to the bishops of the stake
Item 5
1895 November 15 - 1896
2
2
Explaining information that had been sent out from the First Presidency
Third Party Correspondence
1889-1896
Letter from M. W. Merrill of the Logan Temple Presidency
Item 1
1889 December 17
2
3
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
Letter from Edward Kingsford to George Q. Cannon
Item 2
1892 January 27
2
3
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
Letter from A. H. Bissegger to President Wilford Woodruff
Item 3
1892 May 30
2
3
Discussing the events surrounding his wife petitioning for a divorce
Letter from Alexander M. Ledingham to President Wilford Woodruff
Item 4
1892 June 19
2
3
Discussing his displeasure at the prospect of a military drill being performed at the upcoming Fourth of July Celebration
Letter from Moses Thatcher to Isaac Smith
Item 5
1892 December 13
2
3
Asking for help in mediating a dispute between members of the church
Letter from H.A. Lewis to M.W. Merrill
Item 6
1893 March 10
2
3
Discussing a member of Lewis' local ward attending the temple without a proper recommend
Letter to W.B. Preston
Item 7
1893 May 12
2
3
Inquiring about the prospect of using a portion of the Tabernacle block for parties and celebrations
Letter to W.B. Preston
Item 8
1893 May 18
2
3
Giving answers to the questions about use of the Tabernacle block for parties and celebrations
Letter between Wilhil Fogelberg and his wife Anna
Item 9
1893 September 3
2
3
Discussing their marriage and daughter, and Anna's desire to move to Logan with him. Original in Swedish and English translation
Letter from Christian Nielsen Lund to Thomas X. Smith
Item 10
1893 September 14
2
3
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
Letter from William Mackey to J.E. Langford
Item 11
1894 February 20
2
3
Discussing Mackey's desire to sell some gold mines to Langford and Orson Smith
Letter from Christian Larsen to Presidents L. M. Molen and Isaac Smith
Item 12
1896 February 3
2
3
Asking forgiveness for his conduct during a previous Priesthood meeting
Undated list of propositions made by the Providence Ward
Item 13
undated
2
3
Regarding lumber rights signed by the bishop Samuel Oldham
Cache Stake High Council Papers
1889-1891
(1 folder, 5 items)
Statement of High Council Funds
Item 1
1890-1891 January 24
2
4
Memo to Joseph Ellis Wilson, the clerk of the Cache Stake
Item 2
1890 February 4
2
4
High Council Missionary Appointments
Item 3
1890-1891
2
4
Schedules of High Council Visits throughout the Stake
Item 4
undated
2
4
Schedule of Ward Conferences
Item 5
undated
2
4
Priesthood Ordinations
1892-1896
(1 folder, 6 items)
Letter from Samuel Oldham
Item 1
1892 January 11
2
5
Recommending C.C. Housley to be ordained to the office of High Priest
Letter from John M. Whitaker, General Secretary and treasurer of the First Council of Seventies
Item 2
1894 February 8
2
5
Explaining that no longer would men be ordained to the office of Seventy without special permission of the First Presidency
Letter from C. J. Larsen
Item 3
1895 April 28
2
5
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
Certification of Charles Clemson's ordination to the office of Elder
Item 4
1896 March 2
2
5
Certification of Alberth Johersen's ordination to the office of Elder
Item 5
1896 March 7
2
5
Undated list of the Seventies from the 32nd Quorum
Item 6
undated
2
5
Temple Statistic
1890-1891
(1 folder, 2 items)
Register of Logan Temple Ordinance Work for the year ending December 1890
Item 1
1890
2
6
Register of Ordinance Work performed during the year ending Dec 31, 1891 at the Logan, Manti, and St. George Temples
Item 2
1891
2
6
Foreign Born and Home Mission Callings
1891-1893
(1 folder, 8 items)
Letter from Robert Daines in answer to a letter from Orson Smith about nationalities in the Elder's quorums
Item 1
1891 December 4
2
7
Note from John Cardon with names and ages of individuals from foreign countries
Item 2
1891 December 17
2
7
List of Foreign Born individuals from George L. Farrell
Item 3
1891 December 17
2
7
List of Foreign Born individuals in Richmond Ward from Bishop William Kidmorr
Item 4
1891 December 19
2
7
Letter from the Lewiston Ward
Item 5
1891 December 20
2
7
Explaining there are no foreign nationalities called for. Signed by W.H. Lewis
Letter from Hyrum, Utah listing foreign born members of the ward, signed J.F. Wright
Item 6
1891 December 25
2
7
Letter from Bishop H.W. Jackson
Item 7
1892 January 11
2
7
Explaining that there is a desire to serve missions in the Avon Ward, but that they are not financially able
Letter to the presidency of the Cache Stake from the Presidency of the 40th Quorum of the Seventies
Item 8
1893 April 24
2
7
Indicating individuals submitted to be home missionaries
Tithing Records
1889-1892
(1 folder, 7 items)
List of Total Tithes of Cache Stake of Zion
Item 1
1889-1890
1
8
Aid to the poor for Cache Stake
Item 2
1891
1
8
Calculations about funds given to the poor in 1891
Item 3
undated
1
8
Cache Stake Tithes of 1891 and 1892 Compared
Item 4
1892
1
8
Telegraph from R.S. Campbell to William B. Preston
Item 5
1892 March 17
1
8
Discussing the number of stock on hand at the end of the year
Tithing Store House record of materials distributed to Orson Smith
Item 6
1894 June 18
1
8
Funds paid and tithing received for the year 1891
Item 7
1891
1
8
Business and Real Estate
1886-1895
(1 folder, 27 items)
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
Item 1
1886 February 27
2
9
A sworn affidavit of Orson Smith that Katie Carpenter is the daughter of Ezra D. Carpenter
Item 2
1886 February 27
2
9
Letter from James C. Turner
Item 3
1892 February 29
2
9
A man interested in purchasing some cattle from Orson Smith, inquiring about the price of yearling steers and two year olds
A deed of sale for land in Logan City between Nils Rosengreen and William J. Kerr, notarized by Elias Kimball
Item 4
1892 March 9
2
9
Letter from John Spencer
Item 5
1892 March 10
2
9
Inquiring about the price of cattle that Orson Smith was selling
Letter from W. J. Kerr
Item 6
1892 June 2
2
9
Discussing the property purchased by from Mr. Rosengreen as well as repayment plans
Letter from Nils Rosengreen to Orson Smith
Item 7
1892 June 6
2
9
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
Letter from Orson Smith to Nils Rosengreen
Item 8
1892 June 8
2
9
Instructing him to contact Smith to open a lane to Rosengreen's property
Telegram to Orson Smith from the Western Loan Savings Company
Item 9
1892 October 24
2
9
Explaining when a loan would be paid
From Orson Smith to Edwin Summers
Item 10
1892 October 29
2
9
Request for payment and signature of receipt for $12.50
Letter from Western Loan and Savings Company
Item 11
1892 November 7
2
9
Explaining that the loan to Orson Smith had been forwarded to Thatcher Bros. Banking Company
Bill and receipt of payment between Orson Smith and Thomas Goodwin for real estate purchasing costs, totaling $42.35
Item 12
1892 November 9
2
9
Letter from W. J. Kerr
Item 13
1892 November 11
2
9
Requesting payment of funds by Orson Smith so that Kerr could use the same money to pay back his own loan at a bank
Letter from W. J. Kerr
Item 14
1892 November 16
2
9
Acknowledging receipt of money from Orson Smith
Letter from the Western Loan and Savings Company
Item 15
1892 December 29
2
9
Inquiring about the cancellation of an insurance policy
Letter from the Western Loan and Savings Company
Item 16
1893 January 5
2
9
Explaining the costs for cancelling the insurance policy
Letter signed by Jacob Spare in the witness of a Notary Public
Item 17
1893 April 26
2
9
Signing over his property rights to Orson Smith in the instance of Spare not paying back his debt to Smith
Letter from W. J. Kerr
Item 18
1893 November 9
2
9
Discussing financial stresses throughout the territory and the repayment Orson Smith owed
Letter from William M. Mackey
Item 19
1894 January 11
2
9
Inviting Orson Smith to come to the mines in Nevada to make his fortune
Letter from F. S. Richards
Item 20
1894 March 19
2
9
Regarding the establishment of a corporation being created in Logan
Telegram From Hugh J. Cannon
Item 21
1894 August 25
2
9
Regarding cars passing through Milford
Telegram from Consolidated Imp. Co.
Item 22
1894 September 9
2
9
About wagons that had been loaded
Letter discussing a Bill of Sale and note with directions to see a Notary Public and Justice of the Peace
Item 23
1894 December 28
2
9
Letter from Sterling Williams
Item 24
1895 January 30
2
9
Discussing the sale of some stock held by Mary Smith in Cardston, Alberta, Canada
Note indicating a cashiers check had come from Sterling Williams
Item 25
1895 August 10
2
9
Letter from the Western Loan and Savings Company
Item 26
1895 November 30
2
9
Discussing payment of fines for delinquency on installment payments
Receipt from State Irrigation Association for Utah for paying $1.00 for membership fee and literature
Item 27
undated
2
9
Discussing payment of fines for delinquency on installment payments
Union Gas Engine Company Correspondence
1895
(1 folder, 15 items)
Letter from John Daly, President of the Union Gas Engine Company, regarding purchase and payment of an engine and hoist for mining
Item 1
1895 May 31
2
10
Letter from John Daly
Item 2
1895 June 18
2
10
Inquiring as to why the Union Gas Engine Company had not yet received information from the mine
Letter from John Daly
Item 3
1895 June 25
2
10
Explaining that there was, as of yet, still no word from the mine
Letter from John Daly
Item 4
1895 June 27
2
10
Explaining that it was near impossible to contact the mine, and asking for an advance of payment
Letter from John Daly
Item 5
1895 September 17
2
10
Acknowledging receipt of an order for a 12 HP engine, and payment had been arranged
Shipping receipt from the Union Gas Engine Company to Orson Smith for an engine.
Item 6
1895 September 28
2
10
Letter from the Union Gas Engine Company
Item 7
1895 October 1
2
10
Explaining invoice for the 12 HP engine and bill for payment
Letter from the Union Gas Engine Company
Item 8
1895 October 21
2
10
Discussing receipt of payment, and a new form of guarantee which had been signed by other individuals and sent to Orson Smith
Letter from the Union Gas Engine Company
Item 9
1895 October 29
2
10
Full of answers to questions that had been previously asked by Orson Smith
Letter from the Union Gas Engine Company
Item 10
1895 November 5
2
10
Answer questions proposed by Orson Smith in a previous letter
Letter from the Union Gas Engine Company
Item 11
1895 November 11
2
10
Explaining possible reasons for a part breaking on Orson Smith's engine, and that a replacement part was being delivered
Letter from the Union Gas Engine Company
Item 12
1895 November 15
2
10
Discussing Smith's use of the engine
Letter from the Union Gas Engine Company
Item 13
1895 November 15
2
10
Discussing repairs Smith had made on his engine
Letter from the Union Gas Engine Company
Item 14
1895 November 25
2
10
In response to a letter sent from Smith on November 23
Letter from the Union Gas Engine Company to F.J. Hammerland
Item 15
1895 December 2
2
10
Discussing mailing of a catalogue and advising Hammerland to talk with Orson Smith about an engine Hammerland was interested in
Business Receipts
undated
(4 folders)
Receipts
undated
2
11
Receipts not on company letterhead
undated
2
12
Handwritten receipts
undated
2
13
Promise to Pay
undated
2
14
Check
undated
(1 folder)
2
15
Check from Orson Smith to Commercial National Bank
Deseret News Flyer
1891 October 31
(1 folder)
2
16
Flyer explaining that the Deseret News was not funded by the LDS Church and requesting leaders of the church to subscribe
Viavi Correspondence and Related Material
1894-1921
(1 folder, 7 items)
Letter from Joseph F. Smith to Orson F. Smith
Item 1
1894 January 30
2
17
About LDS church leadership concerns with the company Viavi being a fraudulent money scheme
Viavi advertisement, Salt Lake Herald (2 copies)
Item 2
1892 January 28
2
17
Viavi article/advertisement, Utah Journal
Item 3
1893 December 30
2
17
Viavi advertisement, Utah Journal
Item 4
1893 December 30
2
17
Newspaper report on Viavi health lecture by Dr. V.L.Halliday, Davis County Clipper
Item 5
1897 February 12
2
17
Viavi newspaper advertisement
Item 6
1909 May 7
2
17
Newspaper announcement of beauty parlor opening which specialized in Viavi massage treatments, Box Elder Newspaper
Item 7
1921 June 21
2
17