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Flora Johnson LeFevre journals

 Collection
Identifier: MSS 9024

Content Description

Two manuscript boxes containing nine diaries and one autograph book documenting the years 1936-1972 of Flora Johnson LeFevre in Tropic, Utah. Journals document Flora Johnson LeFevre's family and domestic life; her involvement in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; community and school events in Tropic, Utah; and work and agricultural routines.

Dates

  • 1936-1973

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Open for public research.

Conditions Governing Use

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances. Permission to publish material from the Flora Johnson LeFevre journals must be obtained from the Supervisor of Reference Services and/or the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Coordinating Committee.

Biographical History

Flora Johnson LeFevre (1904-1990) was a Mormon wife and mother in Utah.

Flora Johnson was born March 12, 1904 to Mary Estella Ahlstrom and John Henry Johnson. She lived all her life in Tropic, Utah. She had three sisters: Zona, Sarah Irene, and Ina, and one brother, Bernard. Her parents had eleven children, six of which died at birth. Her grandfather was Joel Hills Johnson who died when Flora's father was one year old. Joel's fifth wife was Margaret Threlkeld Johnson who died December 12, 1914 in Tropic, Utah.

When Flora was 10 years old, a new family moved to Tropic. They had a big family with a boy, Leslie LeFevre, two years older than Flora. Leslie had missed a lot of school and was placed in the 5th grade, the same grade as Flora, and as classmates, they became acquainted. Flora was baptized July 7, 1912 in a pond of muddy water. When she was 12 years old, she became the ward organist and remained in the calling for 40 years.

Flora was married in the Manti Temple to Leslie LeFevre on May 30, 1923. Leslie farmed and herded sheep. They had 10 children: 6 sons (Ellis J., Lamar, John Lyle, Dale, Reed, and Russell J.) and 3 daughters (Leslie Von, Velma, and Mary who lived for only a few hours before passing away). Because Leslie worked away from home, in 1932 Flora began to record family events as well as Tropic events in 5-year journals. This became a daily event which she endeavored to record for her posterity and the people of Tropic. Flora died in Richfield, Utah, on April 11, 1990 at age 86. She is buried in the Tropic Cemetery.

Extent

2 boxes (1 linear ft.)

Language of Materials

English

Custodial History

Donated by Reed LeFevre, son of Flora Johnson LeFevre, in 2017.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Donated; Reed LeFevre; 2017.

Appraisal

Utah and the American West; LDS Cultural, Social, and Religious history (20th century Western and Mormon Manuscripts collection development policy, V.b.v.I, 2017)

LDS women's history (20th century Western and Mormon Manuscripts collection development policy, V.b.v.IV, 2017)

Condition Description

Most of the diaries are in good condition though signs of wear and tear appear on the outsides of the books. Some loose sheets of paper are not in good condition with tears and pieces missing on one.

Processing Information

Processed; Dainan M. Skeem, curator, and John M. Murphy, curator; 2017.

Title
Register of Flora Johnson LeFevre journals
Status
Completed
Author
John M. Murphy, curator, and Dainan M. Skeem, curator
Date
2017 July 20
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