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Joel Ricks Family Organization research collection

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 6113

Scope and Contents note

Collection contains research, including correspondence, on Joel Ricks, his life, his family lines, and a two-volume history entitled "Joel Ricks (1804-1888) & His Family (Six Generations plus Ancestry)". The six generations referred to are traced through the Ricks, Smith, Hinckley, Nibley, and Wilson families.

Dates

  • 1829-2007

Creator

Conditions Governing Access note

All rights, title, interest, and possession in and to the materials, including trademarks, copyrights, etc., are transferred to Special Collections, except in the case of any information pertaining to living individuals.

Conditions Governing Use note

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances. Permission to publish material from the Joel Ricks Family Organization research collection must be obtained from the Supervisor of Reference Services and/or the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Board of Curators.

Biographical History

Joel Ricks, 1804-1888, was the fourth child and second son born to Jonathan and Temperance Edwards Ricks, cotton farmers of Donaldson Creek, Christian (now Trigg) County, Kentucky. Ricks was hard-working, resourceful, and courageous; during his lifetime, he worked as a farmer and stocksman, a tanner, builder of homes, schools, and temples, businessman (treasurer, stockholder, etc.), ferryman, miller, etc. Ricks married Eleanor Martin on May 17, 1827, and 11 children were born to the couple, who later moved to Madison County, Illinois: Thomas Edwin (1828-1901), Lewis 1830-1894), Sally (Sarah) Ann (1832-1864), Clarinda(1835-1864), Temperance(1837-1916), William (1839 -1900), Jonathan (1841- 1925), Mary Elizabeth (1843-1929), Josiah (1845-1916), Joel Martin (1850-1850), and Nathan (1853-1929). The Ricks built a school and a religion there before bumping into LDS missionaries. Joel, Eleanor, and their older children were baptized, and Joel received the Priesthood and became a High Priest. They moved to Nauvoo a few years later, helped to finish and received their endowments in the Nauvoo Temple, and trekked across the plains with a contingent of Saints in 1848. Joel and Eleanor were sealed for time and all eternity on February 10, 1852, in Salt Lake City. On October 26, 1852, while settled in Centerville, Joel took as a second wife the widow of his friend Ezra Allen. Sarah Beriah Fiske Allen, who already had two small children (and had buried two more), gave Joel six more: Ezra Varnum(1853-1933, md. Lois Julia Clark and Flavilla Leavitt Adams), Sarah Beriah (1855-1869), Ellen Jane (1856-1935, md. Charles Wilson Nibley), Joel Jr. (1858-1944, md. Susette Cardon and Mary J. Sermett), Adelia (1860-1863), and Esther (1862-1949, md. Joseph Ellis Senior Wilson). In 1860, the families moved to Wellsville, Cache Valley, where Joel served in the bishopric. While in Logan, Joel established a few businesses: the ‘Hyde & Ricks’ carding mill, the ‘Hyde, Ricks, & Company’ flour mill, a joint tannery with Thomas Weir, and the Joel Ricks and Company ferry, in addition to his own farming and herding. He held stock in the Cooperative Institution of 1868, the Deseret Telegraph Company, and the Logan Canyon Road Company, and was Treasurer for Cache County. He and his family helped to build the Logan Temple. In late February 1882, Joel lost Eleanor; he followed her in death on December 15, 1888, and Sarah passed away in mid-June of 1891.

Extent

2 boxes (1 linear ft.)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

31 files containing research on Joel Ricks, his life, his family lines, and a 2-volume history entitled "Joel Ricks (1804-1888) & His Family (Six Generations plus Ancestry)". The six generations referred to are traced through the Ricks, Smith, Hinckley, Nibley, and Wilson families.

Other Finding Aids note

Finding aid available at repository.

Custodial History note

Materials were donated by Carma M. G. LeCheminant, Ricks' great-great-granddaughter, who collected the research and wrote the 2-volume family history in 2008.

Immediate Source of Acquisition note

Donated; Carma M. G. LeCheminant; 2008.

Appraisal note

19th Century Western and Mormon Americana; collection details the personal and family history of a Utah dweller and convert to the LDS Church.

Related Archival Materials note

See also MSS Film 920 no. 91.

Processing Information note

Processed; John M. Murphy, 19th and 20th century Western and Mormon Americana, and Amanda C. Clark, student processor; 2008.

Title
Register of the Joel Ricks Family Organization research collection
Status
Completed
Author
Amanda C. Clark
Date
2008
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English in Latin script.

Repository Details

Part of the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Repository

Contact:
1130 HBLL
Brigham Young University
Provo Utah 84602 United States