Dates

• Existence: 1839 - 1920

Biography

Harriet Ann Thatcher Preston (1838-1920) was an early member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was the wife of the fourth Presiding Bishop of the Church.

Harriet Ann Thatcher was born in 1838 in Springfield, Illinois. While in her teens, she and her family were converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and soon traveled to Salt Lake City, Utah, to join the Saints. Shortly after, Harriet and her family moved once again, this time to California in pursuit of financial gain during the gold rush. There Harriet and her family met the young William Bowker Preston, who later became Harriet’s husband. After William’s own conversion to the Church and a move back to Utah, he and Harriet were sealed by Brigham Young on February 24, 1858.

William and Harriet served in various positions in the Church throughout their marriage. Harriet had been serving as the Young Women’s president of Cache Valley when William was called to be the Presiding Bishop of the Church in April 1884. Harriet supported her husband throughout his many callings and assignments which often left her at home to raise the children and attend to the affairs of the household. She proved herself a competent businesswoman. William passed away in 1908, and Harriet followed him in death in December 1920.

Citation:

Harriet Ann Thatcher Preston diary, 1872-1873 (Mrs. H.A. Preston, Logan City, Utah; husband William Preston)

FamilySearch, via WWW, June 9, 2023 (Harriett Ann Thatcher; Harriet Ann Preson; born 11 February 1838 in Springfield, Illinois; emigrated to Utah in 1857; spouse William Bowker Preston; four children; died 25 December 1920 in Salt Lake City, Utah)

Findagrave.com, via WWW, March 19, 2020 (Harriet Ann Thatcher Preston; born February 1838 in Springfield, Illinois; died December 1920; married William Bowker Preston (4th Presiding Bishop of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1884 to 1907))

Utah Digital Newspapers, via WWW, June 9, 2023 (Harriet Ann Preston died December 25, 1920 in Salt Lake City; in 1847 went to California with the pioneers and later returned to Utah)

Ensign Peak Foundation, via WWW, June 9, 2023 (Harriet Ann Thatcher and family converted to gospel, traveled to Salt Lake and later California; met William B. Preston and married February 1858; called to be Young Women president in Cache Valley; William called to be Presiding Bishop; William died 1908) https://ensignpeakfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/MHS_Spring_2004-William-Bowker-Preston.pdf

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