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Daniels, Thomas E. (Thomas English), 1829-1906

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1829 - 1906

Biographical History

Thomas English Daniels (1829-1906) was a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and pioneer of Payson, Utah.

Thomas Daniels was born September 29, 1829, in Manchester, Lancashire, England. He was the sixth child of nine children born to James Ephraim and Elizabeth Salthouse Daniels. James was the Methodist parish minister; consequently, Thomas was raised in a religious environment. Thomas was nine years old when his father died. His family had been introduced to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints shortly before this occurred and after James’ death the entire family was baptized and began planning to immigrate to the United States. The family left England in 1842 on the ship Medford and arrived in New Orleans in the fall. They then traveled up the Mississippi to St Louis, where they stayed the winter.

Thomas worked on the freight boats going up and down the Mississippi River. The other workers gave him the middle name of "English" to differentiate him from another Thomas Daniels who worked on the same boats. Thomas kept that middle name and used it on all his signatures for the rest of his life.

The Daniels family lived in Quincy, Illinois, in 1844, but moved to Nauvoo to help work on the temple. When the saints were driven from Nauvoo, Thomas then moved to Mt. Pisgah, Iowa. He traveled to Utah with the Milo Andrus Company and arrived in September 1850. In December 1850, Thomas and his family moved to Payson, Utah, and they built a homestead three blocks north of the town center. On November 25, 1855, Thomas married Jane Ann Sheffield, and built a two-story adobe house where the couple lived for more than fifty years. Ten children were born to them in this same house. In June 1864, Thomas took a second wife, Annie Olson.

Thomas was very active in the settlement of Payson. He served as ward chorister for forty years and was the city sexton, watermaster, and town councilman. He was also a member of the first dramatic association in the city. During the winters, Thomas would make brooms from the corn husks raised on the family farm, and then take them to Provo to sell.

From 1869-1871, when his children were small, Thomas served eighteen months in the Eastern and Southern States Mission. He was called at the October 1869 general conference by President Brigham Young along with about 200 other missionaries. His daughter Lucia was born while he was away on his mission. Thomas Jr. and James, his eldest sons, took care of the farm with the help of Jane. Thomas was ordained a high priest in May of 1893, by his brother James Daniels.

Thomas English and Jane Ann celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary in November 1905. Before a year had passed, they were both called to the other side. Thomas related how one night shortly before Jane’s death, a vision came to their bed. First, it appeared on his side and then went around the bed to the other side where Jane was sleeping. The angel said, "I want her first, you may wait a short time." Before a week had gone by, Jane had pneumonia and died quickly on October 18, 1906. On November 6, 1906, at seventy-eight years of age, Thomas passed away as well. They are both buried in the Payson City Cemetery

Citation:
Ancestry.com, via WWW, Sept. 12, 2014 (Thomas E. Daniels; Thomas "English" Daniels; b. Sept. 29, 1829 in Manchester, England; parents: Joseph Ephraim Daniels and Elizabeth Salthouse; m. Nov. 25, 1855 in Payson, Utah to Jane Ann Sheffield, 10 children; m. June 4, 1864 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Annie Olsen; d. Nov. 6, 1906 in Payson, Utah; farmer)

UPB files, March 20, 2020 (family immigrated to the United States after the death of father; arrived in New Orleans and traveled to Illinois; early history of Payson)

Church History Missionary Database, via WWW, March 20, 2020 (called in 1868; called to Southern States mission 1871-1872; called to Great Britain May 1887)

Found in 1 Collection or Record:

Thomas English Daniels journal and patriarchal blessings

 File — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS SC 2056
Scope and Contents

Handwritten journal, patriarchal blessings, miscellaneous items, and photocopies of the materials. Daniel's journal describes his spiritual life and daily activities relating to Payson, Utah, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Dated 1854 to 1877.

Dates: 1854-1877