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Broaddus, J. E. (John Eugene), 1882-1954

 Person

Biographical History

J. E. Broaddus (1882-1954) was a Utah optometrist, photographer, and national parks enthusiast.

John Eugene Broaddus was born January 17, 1882 in Plano, Illinois to Henry Arthur Broaddus and Viola Hail Broaddus. He moved to Salt Lake City, Utah in 1900 where he apprenticed himself to the Columbia Optical Company. He learned to make glass lenses and then became one of the leading optometrists in Utah. He married Clara Louise Deighton in 1906 and they had one daughter, Viola Louise.

Sometime before 1916, he was introduced to both the natural wonders in Utah and photography. He helped to publicize many of these landscapes and campaign for them to secure national park and national monument status, including Bryce Canyon, Zion, Capitol Reef, and the future Dinosaur National Monument. He took photographs and created brochures for these and other sites to publicize them.

He died in Salt Lake City on April 16, 1954.

Citation:
UPB files, Oct. 31 2014, (born January 17, 1882 in Plano, Illinois to Henry Arthur Broaddus and Viola Hail Broaddus; moved to Salt Lake City, Utah in 1900; apprenticed himself to the Columbia Optical Company; learned to make glass lenses and then became one of the leading optometrists in Utah; married Clara Louise Deighton in 1906; they had one daughter, Viola Louise; sometime before 1916, he was introduced to both the natural wonders in Utah and photography; helped to publicize many of these landscapes and campaign for them to secure national park and national monument status, including Bryce Canyon, Zion, Capitol Reef, and the future Dinosaur National Monument; took photographs and created brochures for these and other sites to publicize them.) He died in Salt Lake City on April 16, 1954.

Found in 1 Collection or Record:

J. E. Broaddus collection of extracts on Mormon history, approximately 1900-1954

 Sub-Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 8608 Series 2 Sub-Series Sub-series 5
Scope and Contents

Materials include J. E. Broaddus's notes from his research. Materials also include excerpts from books or articles that J. E. Broaddus used in his research. Materials dated approximately 1900-1954.

Dates: approximately 1900-1954

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  • Subject: Research X