David Horton Elton journals
Scope and Contents note
Collection includes four numbered and consecutive mission journals, from March 1898 to March 1900, and one additional journal dated from January 1905 to April 1905. The four missionary journals provide a detailed account of Elton's missionary experiences and travels in Florida, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia. The 1905 Elton journal includes descriptions of his family and professional life. Collection also contains preservation photocopies of all collection diaries, and typewritten transcripts of all collection materials.
Dates
- Creation: 1898-1905
Creator
- Elton, David Horton, 1877-1963 (Person)
Conditions Governing Access note
Condition resticted; permission to use materials must be obtained from the Supervisor of Reference Services. Patrons should use photocopies or digital images.
Conditions Governing Use note
It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances. Permission to publish material from the David Horton Elton journals must be obtained from the Supervisor of Reference Services and/or the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Board of Curators.
Biographical History
David Horton Elton (1877-1963) was an English lawyer, politician, and missionary in the United States and Canada.
Born January 12, 1877 in Worcester, England, David Horton Elton, immigrated, in August of 1890, to Salt Lake City, Utah, to join his widowed mother. Seven years later, in the spring of 1898, David was asked to serve a two-year mission to the Southern States for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. During his mission, David served in Florida, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia. He also edited and wrote for the mission newspaper, The Latter Day Saints Southern Star.
Following his mission, David married Nora Afton Hauser on April 3, 1901 in the Salt Lake City Temple. In August 1901, the young couple moved to Canada, where David worked as an editor for the Cardston Star, in Cardston, Alberta. He became a barrister and solicitor, and eventually was elected mayor of Lethbridge, Alberta, a position he held from 1935 to 1943. In addition to his professional and political activities, David was a well known poet, author, and public speaker.
Active in the ecclesiastical organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, David served in a variety of LDS church ward and stake callings, including president of the Lethbridge Stake's Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association. Known as "wise and gentle" parents, David and Nora had five children. David Horton Elton died August 19, 1963 and Nora Hauser Elton died sixteen months later on December 13, 1964.
Extent
2 boxes (1 linear ft.)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
The papers of David Horton Elton contain David Horton Elton’s LDS Church mission diaries, 1898 – 1900, and one additional diary, 1905.
Arrangement
Series 1, "Diaries," includes three sub-series. Sub-Series 1 contains four numbered and consecutive mission journals, March 1898 - March 1900, and one additional journal dated January 1905 - April 1905. The four missionary journals are fascinating for their detailed descriptions of Elder David Horton Elton's missionary experiences and travels in Florida, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia. The 1905 Elton journal is interesting for his descriptions of his family and professional life. Sub-Series 2 Contains preservation photocopies of all collection diaries, and Sub-Series 3 Contains typewritten transcripts of all collection materials.
Other Finding Aids
File-level inventory available online. http://files.lib.byu.edu/ead/XML/MSS2050.xml
Custodial History note
Donated by John D. Elton in 1998.
Immediate Source of Acquisition note
Donated; John D. Elton; 1998.
Appraisal note
19th Century Western and Mormon Manuscripts.
Existence and Location of Copies
Photocopies of originals available in Box 2. Transcriptions available in Box 2.
Processing Information note
Processed; John Murphy; March 9, 2004.
Subject
- Title
- Register of David Horton Elton journals
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Karen Glenn, student processors and John Murphy, curator
- Date
- 2009
- 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
1130 HBLL
Brigham Young University
Provo Utah 84602 United States