Dates

• Existence: 1884 - 1973

Biographical History

Estelle Spilsbury Ellis (1884-1973) was the wife of Franklin S. Harris, and served as First Lady of Brigham Young University while her husband acted as president.

"Frankie" Estelle Spilsbury Ellis was born in Toquerville, Utah on February 17, 1884 to George Moroni and Roselia Haight Spilsbury. She grew up on a pioneer ranch with eleven siblings, participating in family chores and activities each day. She began school in Toquerville and was allowed to live with her sister in Sandy, Utah to attend seventh grade. She graduated as valedictorian of her eighth grade class.

After graduating from primary school, she attended Branch Normal School in Cedar City, which is now the Colege of Southern Utah. After recovering from typhoid fever and the death of two siblings from the same disease, she began attending Brigham Young University. She graduated in 1907 with a Kindergarten Normal Diploma, and began teaching in Price, Utah.

On June 18, 1908, she married Franklin Stewart Harris in the Salt Lake Temple. They had six children, two sons and four daughters. Each child graduated from Brigham Young University.

Ellis was highly involved in academics throughout her life, along with traveling with her husband for his work and supporting her children in their education. From 1921-1945, she helped alongside her husband in his duties as president of Brigham Young University.

Ellis was president of the Utah State University Faculty Women’s League, Brigham Young University Faculty Women, A.C. Woman’s Club, and the A.L.R. Friendly Circle. She was a member of Cleofan, Bryan S. Hinckley History Group. In addition, she had a number of Church callings, including serving as a member of the Stake Board of Relief Society and the Young Women's Mutual Improvement Association. She served as an officer in the Primary and the Relief Society.

She died on December 2, 1973 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Citation:

HarrisFamilyHistory.blogspot.com, September 23, 2013 (full name "Frankie Estelle Spilsbury Ellis; wife of Franklin S. Harris; First Lady of Brigham Young University; born in Toquerville, Utah on February 17, 1884; father George Moroni Spilsbury; mother Roselia Haight Spilsbury; grew up on pioneer ranch; eleven siblings; family chores and activities; began school in Toquerville; lived with sister in Sandy, Utah for seventh grade; graduated as valedictorian of eighth grade class; attended Branch Normal School in Cedar City; recovered from typhoid fever and siblings' deaths; attended Brigham Young University; graduated in 1907 with Kindergarten Normal Diploma; began teaching in Price, Utah; married Franklin Stewart Harris on June 18, 1908; Salt Lake Temple; six children; two sons; four daughters; each child graduated from Brigham Young University; highly involved in academics; traveled with husband for work; supported children in their education; helped husband from 1821-1945 while he was president of Brigham Young University; president of Utah State University Faculty Women’s League; president of Brigham Young University Faculty Women; president of A.C. Woman’s Club; president of A.L.R. Friendly Circle; member of Stake Board of Relief Society; member of Young Women's Mutual Improvement Association; served as officer in Primary and Relief Society)

FindaGrave.com, September 23, 2013 (died December 2, 1973 in Salt Lake City, Utah)

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