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Moses Thatcher Sr. papers

 Collection
Identifier: UUS_COLL MSS 022

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 a Church apostle in 1879, and his work concerning the opening of the Mexican Mission for the Church and the beginnings of Church 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

  • Creation: 1866-1923

Language of Materials

Collection materials are in English.

Restrictions

Open to public research.

Copyright

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances.

Permission to publish material from the Moses Thatcher Sr. papers must be obtained from the Special Collections and Archvies manuscript curator and/or the Special Collections and Archives 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 (historically 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 (1870-1877), superintendent of the Logan ZCMI (1870-1879), 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 Church 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 feet)

Abstract

Primarily diaries, including those kept as a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints missionary in Great Britain (1866-1868), during his presidency of the Cache Stake (1878-1881), his ordination as a Church apostle (1879), and his work opening the Mexican Mission for the Church (1880-1881). The other major items are two letter books (1888-1890 and 1902-1903). The former is a prime source for background on the Church's colonization of Mexico. Miscellaneous items include scrapbooks detailing his release as an 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.

Related Materials

Moses Thatcher Sr. (Coll Mss 244)

Thatcher Family PapersColl Mss 93

Thatcher Brothers Banking recordsCOLL MS 3

George W. Thatcher papersColl Mss 37

George Thatcher Business Papers (Coll Mss 135)

Thatcher Brothers Banking Company Safety Deposit boxes (Coll Mss 175)

William B. Preston Papers (Coll Mss 268)

Thatcher Family Photograph CollectionP0036

Thatcher Milling & Elevator Photograph Collection (P0169)

Thatcher Opera House Band Photograph Collection (P0195)

Thatcher Brothers Banking Company Photograph Collection (P0230)

Harriet A. Thatcher Preston Photograph Collection (P0248)

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

Contact:
Merrill-Cazier Library
Utah State University
3000 Old Main Hill
Logan Utah 84322-3000 United States
435 797-8248
435 797-2880 (Fax)