Whitney, Orson F. (Orson Ferguson), 1855-1931
Dates
- Existence: 1855 - 1931
Biographical History
Orson F. Whitney (1855-1931) was an apostle in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a writer, poet, and editor.
Orson F. Whitney was born on July 1, 1855, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Horace K. Whitney and Helen Mar Kimball Whitney. As a young man, Whitney wanted to be an actor and he spent many hours preparing for the stage by studying elocution, fencing, and grammar. However, during General Conference in 1876, Whitney was called to serve in the Eastern States Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His mother sold her land and used the money to fund Whitney's mission. While on his mission, Whitney discovered his interest in the Gospel as well as in writing and speaking. He started a regular column of his missionary experiences in the "Salt Lake Herald" under the pen name Iago. In 1878, twenty-three-year-old Whitney was called to serve as the bishop of the Eighteenth Ward, a calling he held for 28 years. In 1906, Whitney was called to be an Apostle in the Church. He also completed three more missions for the Church, including being the president of the European Mission in 1921.
In 1879, Whitney married Zina Beal Smoot and they had nine children together. Whitney also had two more wives: Mary Minerva Wells and Emma Whitney Wells. During his life, Whitney edited the "Salt Lake Herald," served on the city council, participated in the Home Dramatic Club, engaged in politics, and wrote poetry and books. In 1890, he published his first book, a biography of his grandfather Heber C. Kimball. That same year, Wildford Woodruff and John O. Williams commissioned Whitney to write "History of Utah"; he produced two volumes of the work by 1894 and the third in 1898. He also published a biography of Lorenzo Snow, an autobiography, and several books of poetry including his lengthy epic poem "Elias: An Epic of the Ages."
Whitney died on May 16, 1931, in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Citation:
nuc86-87404: His The Mormon prophet's tragedy, 1905 (hdg. on CU-BANC rept.: Whitney, Orson F. (Orson Ferguson), 1855-1931; usage: Orson F. Whitney)Wikipedia, viewed 12 January 2012 (Orson F. Whitney; Orson Ferguson Whitney; b.1 July 1855, Salt Lake City, Utah Territory; member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1906-1931; author; politician; journalist; historian; academic; began career writing for the Deseret News; editor of the Millennial Star; taught English and Theology at Brigham Young College in Logan, Utah; Assistant Church Historian of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; served on the Salt Lake City Council in 1880; Salt Lake City Treasurer, 1884-1890; Utah State Senator, 1898 and 1901; d. May 16, 1931 in Salt Lake City, Utah)
General Authority Pages, via WWW, 2008 (wanted to be an actor and he spent many hours preparing for the stage by studying elocution, fencing, and grammar; during General Conference in 1876, called to serve in the Eastern States Mission for The Church; His mother sold her land almost immediately after his acceptance of the call and used the money to fund Whitney's mission; discovered his interest in writing and speaking; started a regular column of his missionary experiences in the "Salt Lake Herald"; pen name Iago; 1878, twenty-three-year-old Whitney bishop of the Eighteenth Ward; held for 28 years; In 1906, called to be an apostle; three missions for the Church; president of the European Mission in 1921; married Zina Beal Smoot and they had 9 children together; two more wives: Mary Minerva Wells and Emma Whitney Wells; edited the "Salt Lake Herald," served on the city council, participated in the Home Dramatic Club, engaged in politics, and wrote poetry and books; In 1890, he published his first book, a biography of his grandfather Heber C. Kimball; Church commisioned Whitney to write "History of Utah"; produced two volumes of the work by 1894 and the third in 1898; published a biography of Lorenzo Snow, an autobiography, and several books of poetry including his lengthy epic poem, "Elias, An Epic of the Ages")
Family Search, via WWW, April 18, 2014 (born on July 1, 1855, in Salt lake City, Utah, to Horace Whitney and Helen Mar Kimball; married Zina Beal Smoot and they had 9 children together. Whitney also had two more wives: mary Minerva Wells and Emma Whitney Wells; died on May 16, 1931, in Salt Lake City, Utah)
Found in 13 Collections and/or Records:
David O. McKay letter to Orson F. Whitney, 1922
Materials include an original letter from David O. McKay to Orson F. Whitney written on October 30, 1922. In the letter, McKay congratulates Whitney on recovering from surgery he had while president of the European mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He also informs Whitney about his travel arrangements to come from Canada to England. Dated 1922.
Heber M. Wells letters to Orson F. Whitney, 1926-1930
Materials include correspondence sent to Orson F. Whitney from Heber M. Wells, who was the governor of Utah at the time. The letters say that Whitney and Wells had been friends since childhood and they contain discussions of poetry, writing, and family matters as well as general friendly banter. Dated 1926-1930.
Horace K. and Helen Mar Whitney papers, 1847-1866
Materials include keepsakes, letters, and poems collected by Horace K. Whitney and Helen Mar Kimball. Includes cards and a woven envelope that were made by or given to Helen. There is also a letter from Helen to Horace. Materials also include an envelope that belonged to Louisa Beaman, the first plural wife sealed to Joseph Smith. Dated 1847-1866.
John A. Widtsoe letters to Orson F. Whitney, 1916-1930
Materials include correspondence sent to Orson F. Whitney from John A. Widtsoe, an apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Widtsoe compliments Whitney on his series of books about Utah history, his book "Saturday Evening Thoughts", and his tract collection "The Way, The Truth, The Light". He also informs him that his only son will be serving in the British Mission while Whitney is the mission president there. Dated 1916-1930.
Orson F. Whitney correspondence, 1873-1931
Orson F. Whitney correspondence with family, 1873-1883
Materials include originals and transcriptions of correspondence between Orson F. Whitney and various members of his family, mostly his parents, Horace K. Whitney and Helen Mar Kimball Whitney. They contain inquiries about his family's health, information about travels, writings, daily life, missions, Church service, health, and work. Dated 1873-1883.
Orson F. Whitney family papers, approximately 1847-1993
Materials include documents relating to the family and descendants of Orson F. Whitney. Materials include pedigree charts from the Whitney and Smoot families, Zina B. Smoot papers, items collected by Horace K. and Helen Mar Kimball, family writings, correspondence, blessings, Church documents, poems, and photographs. Dated approximately 1847-1900.
Orson F. Whitney general correspondence, 1880-1931
Materials include general correspondence written by Orson F. Whitney as well as his various friends, family, Church acquaintances, and fans of his writing. There is information about his missions to Europe, time as mission president of the European Mission, writing and published works, personal family concerns, financial issues, Church matters, and his work as a teacher. Dated 1880-1931.
Samuel Russell, Jr. mission letters, 1898 November 11-1900 June 4
Contains mission correspondence of Samuel Russell [Jr.], including with B.H. Roberts, J. Golden Kimball, Lorenzo Snow, James D. Sterling, Richard R. Lyman, Orson F. Whitney, and George Reynolds. 11 items, dated November 11, 1898 to June 4, 1900.
Sarah Taylor autograph album
Autograph book which contains the signatures of many prominent Mormons with person remarks and poems addressed to Sarah Taylor.