History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

774
COMMERCE AND COMMUNICATION.
remained in that territory as presiding apostle at various settlements, maintaining
robust health until about his 70th year, and continuing to labor in
the ministry until his decease in November 187S. For further details, see
Autobiog. of Mrs M. A. P. Hyde, MS., 4; Hyde's Travels and Ministry,
passim; Tullidge's Life of Brig'ham Young, 69-71; Millennial Star, v. 163;
Deseret News, May 5, 12, 1858, March 25, 1874, Dec. 4, 11, 1878; Smucker's
Jlist. Mormons, 297; S. L. Herald, Nov. 30, 1878; Prescott Miner, Dec. 13,
1878.
Edward Hunter, a native of Newtown, Pa, was descended on the father's
side from John Hunter, who served as lieutenant of cavalry under William III.
at the battle of the Boyne, his mother's lineage being traced back to one Robert
Owen, a Welsh quaker, who, refusing to take the oath of allegiance after
the restoration in 1685, was imprisoned, and afterward emigrating to America,
purchased an estate near Philadelphia. On his father's death, Edward, who
was then only 22 years of age, was offered his position as justice of the peace,
but refused it on account of his youth. A few years afterward he purchased
a farm in Chester co., Pa, where he was visited by three Mormon elders, who
were invited to make his house their home, though he had not yet joined the
faith. In 1S39 he entertained as his guest the prophet Joseph, who was then
returning from his errand to Washington. In the following year he was baptized
by Orson Hyde, then on his way to Jerusalem. In the summer of 1S41
he proceeded to Nauvoo and purchased a farm from the prophet, contributing
the first year no less than $15,000 to the church. In 1847 he entered the
valley of Great Halt Lake with the first companies that followed the pioneers,
and on the death of Newel K. Whitney was appointed presiding bishop of
the church.
Of the early career of Franklin D. Richards mention has already been
made in these pages. In March 1869 he was appointed probate judge of
Weber co., and removed with his family to Ogden, his sous Franklin »S. and
Charles being in 1885 prosecuting attorney, and county clerk and recorder.
With the advent of the railroad Ogden was clearly destined to become a city
second in importance only to the capital, and one that must soon contain a
large gentile element, whereby the commercial and political control of northern
Utah would be imperilled. At this juncture, also, it became advisable
that the Weber stake should be raised to the dignity of an apostolic see, and
for the purpose no better selection could have been made than that of Franklin
D. Richards. Brought into contact with the business world during the
many years when he directed the immense European migration to Utah, a
man without political ambition, kindly, placable, and tolerant, his administration
was no less acceptable to the gentile than to the Mormon community.
At the close of 18S5, though at that date in his 65th year, he still discharged
his manifold duties with all the vigor of a man yet in the prime of life, and
throughout his long career he has made not a single enemy. As I have already
stated, I am under deep obligations to Mr Richards for his kindness
in furnishing much valuable material for this volume that would else have
been inaccessible.
Lorenzo Snow, a native of Mantua, Ohio, but of New England parentage,
first made the acquaintance of the Latter-day Saints while visiting his sisters
at Kirtland, Lorenzo having just completed his course at Oberlin college.
Convinced of the truth of their doctrines, he was baptized, ordained an elder,
and sent forth to preach. As a missionary, none remained longer in the field,
or travelled more, his journeys between 1836 and 1872 extending over 150,000
miles. In Feb. 1846 he crossed the Mississippi in company with the twelve,
being himself ordained an apostle some three years later. When Box Elder
co. was organized, he was made president of the stake at Brigham City, and
afterward member of the council for Box Elder and Weber, both of which
positions he held for many years. He was an active promoter of the cooperative
movement, establishing in 1863-4 a cooperative store, and afterward
a tannery, a woollen factory, and several cooperative farms, the employes
having the privilege of counting the value of their labor as so much capital