Moses Thatcher Sr. papers
Scope and Contents
This collection contains the papers of Moses Thatcher, Sr. and his family spanning the period of 1866 to 1923. This collection contains Moses Thatcher, Sr.'s diaries (in photocopy form, original diaries are in the possession of Brigham Young University), correspondence, papers concerning his family, and other papers. His diaries document his missionary service in Great Britain from 1866 to 1868, his Presidency of the Cache Stake from 1878 to 1881, his ordination as an L.D.S. Apostle in 1879, and his work concerning the opening of the Mexican Mission for the L.D.S. Church and the beginnings of Mormon colonization in northern Mexico. Other items included are Thatcher's two correspondence letter-books (1888-1890 and 1902-1903), a Memoranda Book (1879-1880) which contains information about his work in Mexico, and a family scrapbook. This collection also contains the missionary diaries of Moses Thatcher, Jr. (in photocopy form) spanning the period of 1891-1892, Moses Thatcher, Jr.'s papers concerning his studies at the Logan Brigham Young College, various biographical sketches, and other papers concerning family affairs. The Moses Thatcher Sr. family photo album, was removed and has been reassigned as part of the Thatcher Family Photograph Collection (P0036).
Laurel Thatcher Ulrich later donated a letter from Moses Thatcher in September 2011.
Dates
- 1866-1923
Language of Materials
Collection materials are in English.
Restrictions
Open to public research.
Copyright
It is the responsibility of the user to obtain permission to publish from the owner of the copyright (the institution, the creator of the record, the author or his/her transferees, heirs, legates, or literary executors). The user agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Utah State University Libraries, its officers, employees, and agents from and against all claims made by any person asserting that he or she is an owner of copyright.
Permission to publish material from the Moses Thatcher Sr. papers must be obtained from the Special Collections Manuscript Curator and/or the Special Collections Department Head.
Biographical Note
Moses Thatcher was born February 2, 1842 in Sangamon County, Illinois the tenth child of Hezekiah Thatcher and Alley Kitchen Thatcher. As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (often referred to as Mormons), in 1847 Thatcher's family traveled westward across the plains until arrival in Salt Lake City, Utah Territory. In 1849 the Thatcher family moved to California in connection with the Gold Rush. Six years later Thatcher and some of his family returned to Utah. By 1860 Thatcher had taken up residence in the newly settled community of Logan, Utah Territory and began a career as a businessman. During the 1860/1861 year Thatcher attended the University of Deseret (now University of Utah).
From 1866 to 1868 Thatcher served as a missionary in England for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Upon completion of his missionary labors, Thatcher returned to Logan and renewed his business ventures. Some of his business endeavors and positions included; serving as the Director and Secretary of Utah Northern Railroad Company (1870-77), Superintendent of the Logan ZCMI (1870-79), co-founder of Cache County's first bank; the Thatcher Brothers Banking Company in 1883, and Trustee of the Brigham Young College in Logan (1877-97).
Thatcher was also highly involved with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In 1879 he was ordained as a Member of the Council of the Twelve Apostles. Some of his duties as an Apostle included overseeing the church's interests in northern Mexico. During the 1880s he organized, supervised, and purchased land for the Mormon colonization of northern Mexico. During the 1890s Thatcher returned to Logan and became active with the Utah Democratic Party. In 1896 Thatcher was expelled from the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles because of a ‘difference in opinions' and 'misunderstanding' between quorum members concerning his political and religious views. Thatcher died in Logan in 1909.
For further information on Moses Thatcher, Sr. see: Godfrey, Kenneth W., "Moses Thatcher in the Dock: His Trials, The Aftermath, and His Last Days," Journal of Mormon History, Vol. 24 # 1 (Spring 1998), pp. 54-88.
Extent
4 boxes (1.6 linear ft.)
Abstract
Primarily diaries, including those kept as a Mormon missionary in Great Britain (1866-1868); during his presidency of the Cache Stake (1878-1881); his ordination as an L.D.S. Apostle (1879); and his work opening the Mexican Mission for the L.D.S. Church (1880-1881). The other major items are two letterbooks (1888-1890 and 1902-1903). The former is a prime source for background on the Mormon Church's colonization of Mexico. Miscellaneous items include scrapbooks detailing his release as an L.D.S. Apostle for opposing the Church's GOP orientation. In addition, the collection includes some family papers, including an autobiography of Lucy W. Kimball, biographies of several members of the Thatcher family, the missionary journals of Aaron F. Farr (1852-1853), and diaries of Moses Thatcher, Jr.
Arrangement
Arranged topically and chronologically.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The materials that comprise this collection were donated to USU Special Collections & Archives by Leora Thatcher between the years of 1972 and 1976.
- Title
- Guide to the Moses Thatcher Sr. papers 1866-1923
- Author
- Finding aid created by Special Collections and Archives.
- Date
- ©2008
- Description rules
- Finding Aid Based On Dacs (Describing Archives: A Content Standard, 2nd Edition)
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding guide is in English in Latin script.
- Sponsor
- Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant, 2007-2008
Revision Statements
- 2009.: Template information was updated to reflect Archives West best practice guidelines.
- 2012 February 9: Box 2 Folder 6
Repository Details
Part of the Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library, Special Collections & Archives Repository
Merrill-Cazier Library
Utah State University
3000 Old Main Hill
Logan Utah 84322-3000 United States
435 797-8248
435 797-2880 (Fax)
scweb@usu.edu