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Thomas D. and Florence T. Rees papers

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 8851

Content Description

Collection contains materials relating to the lives of Thomas D. Rees and Florence T. Rees, especially their missionary service for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Australia. Includes four mission journals, photographs of family, friends, and missionaries, correspondence, typescripts of blessings, and certificates. Dates approximately 1904 to 1965.

Dates

  • approximately 1904-1965

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 Thomas D. and Florence T. Rees papers must be obtained from the Supervisor of Reference Services and/or the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Coordinating Committee.

Biographical History

Thomas D. Rees (1877-1952) was a doctor in Utah, Colorado, and Idaho.

Thomas David Rees was born on September 11, 1877 in Wales, Utah Territory to Thomas Davis Rees and Elizabeth Rees. He attended school in Wales, at Snow Academy, and Brigham Young University, graduating in 1900. He then attended the school of medicine at the University of Utah from 1908 to 1910. In 1912 he received his M.D. degree from Rush Medical College in Chicago, Illinois and in 1925 he received a doctoral degree in St. Louis and Los Angeles.

Throughout his life Thomas practiced medicine in Utah, Colorado, and Idaho, was a superintendant over schools in Fillmore, Utah, and was a sheep rancher in Salt Creek Canyon, Utah. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints he served a mission for the Church in Germany from 1904 to 1906 and helped establish the Church's San Luis Stake Academy in Colorado. He also served as President of the Church's Australian Mission from 1935 to 1938 and 1945 to 1948. Thomas also served in many other capacities within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

On September 5, 1900 Thomas married Florence Thompson in the Manti Utah Temple. Together they had five children.

Thomas died on November 3, 1952 in Idaho Falls, Idaho.

Biographical History

Florence T. Rees (1880-1971) was a school teacher and homemaker in Utah, Colorado, and Idaho.

Florence Thompson Rees was born on March 15, 1880 in Scipio, Utah Territory to Daniel Thompson and Lydia Ann Ivie. She attended Brigham Young Academy and Brigham Young University where she met her husband, Thomas David Rees. On September 5, 1900, Florence married Thomas David Rees in the Manti Utah Temple and together they had five children. Florence taught school in Scipio, Fillmore, and Elsinore, Utah. She also taught at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint's San Luis Stake Academy in Manassa, Colorado. Following her husband for school, she lived in Chicago, Illinois for a short time. Florence also lived in Australia from 1935 to 1938 and 1945 to 1948 as a missionary mom while her husband was the President of the Church's Australia Mission. Following her husband again, she moved to Idaho Falls where he practiced medicine. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Florence served in many callings with her last calling as a temple worker lasting thirteen years. Florence died on March 11, 1971 in Idaho Falls, Idaho.

Extent

2 boxes (1 linear ft.)

Language of Materials

English

Custodial History

Donated by Sydney Smith Reynolds who inherited most of the papers from Marguerite Rees Smith, daughter of Thomas D. and Florence T. Rees. Sydney also received some papers on Florence Rees from Shawna E. Strobel, Florence's granddaughter. Donated in 2016.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Donated; Sydney Smith Reynolds; March 23, 2016.

Appraisal

LDS cultural, social, and religious history (20th Century Western and Mormon Manuscripts collection policy 5.V, August 2007.)

Processing Information

Processed; Sadie Julian; 2016.

Title
Register of Thomas D. and Florence T. Rees papers
Status
Completed
Author
Sadie Julian
Date
2016 August 18
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