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Smith, Joseph West, 1859-1944

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1859 - 1944

Biographical History

Joseph West Smith (1859-1944) was a pioneer who helped to settle the Snowflake, Arizona area.

Joseph West Smith was born on September 6, 1859, in Minersville, Utah, to parents Jesse Nathaniel and Margaret Fletcher West Smith. He married Sarah Ellen (Nellie) Marsden (1860-1924) on November 5, 1879, in St. George, Utah, and together they had twelve children. He also married Della Fish (1864-1934) on October 29, 1886, in St. George, Utah, and together they had eight children.

Smith and his new wife Sarah left for the Territory of Arizona soon after getting married. There, he helped settle Snowflake and the surrounding area as one of the founding pioneers to that area. He served the community, state, and federal government in areas of the Irrigation Congress, the Arizona Counsel of Defence, the Kansas City International Congress, and delegations to Washington and New York City.

Smith worked as a home builder, farmer, teacher, mail man, banker, mayor, insurance salesman, dairy man, and cash store (grocery, etc) owner. He was highly involved in church work also, and served as missionary, Superintendant of YMMIA, patriarch, and temple worker.

Smith died on December 22, 1944, in Snowflake, Arizona.

Citation:
Journal of Joseph West Smith, 1969?: t.p. (b. 1859, d. 1944)

UPB files, January 21, 2015 (Joseph West Smith; b. Sept. 6, 1859, in Minersville, Utah, to parents Jesse Nathaniel and Margaret Fletcher West Smith; m. Sarah Ellen (Nellie) Marsden (1860-1924) on Nov. 5, 1879, in St. George, Utah, twelve children; also m. Della Fish (1864-1934) on Oct. 29, 1886, in St. George, Utah, eight children; left for the Territory of Arizona soon after getting married; helped settle Snowflake and the surrounding area as one of the founding pioneers to that area; served the community, state, and federal government in areas of the Irrigation Congress, the Arizona Counsel of Defence, the Kansas City International Congress, and delegations to Washington and New York City; worked as a home builder, farmer, teacher, mail man, banker, mayor, insurance salesman, dairy man, and cash store (grocery, etc) owner; church work served as missionary, Superintendant of YMMIA, patriarch, and temple worker; d. Dec. 22, 1944, in Snowflake, Ariz.)

Found in 1 Collection or Record:

Joseph West Smith autobiography and genealogies

 Collection — Box 1: [Barcode: 31197231062768]
Identifier: MSS 1467
Scope and Contents

Bound autobiography and "Book of Remembrance" which includes family genealogies. Smith writes about his life in Snowflake, Arizona, his banking career, his family, missionary experiences, and relationships with his plural wives.

Dates: approximately 1930
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Joseph West Smith autobiography and genealogies

Filtered By

  • Subject: Autobiographies X

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