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Hampton C. Godbe papers

 Collection
Identifier: MS 0664

Scope and Contents

The Hampton C. Godbe papers (1864-1990) consist of materials collected by Godbe documenting the life of his grandfather, William S. Godbe, in preparation for a proposed biography. Included are correspondence, notes, articles, and memorabilia. Principal subjects discussed in the collection are Hiram B. Clawson and his family, the Godbeite movement, Brigham Young, mining and business affairs in Utah Territory, polygamy, and early Utah newspapers. Also included are additional research notes of Hampton Godbe on other topics, as well as personal papers, memorabilia, and news clippings. Some materials relate to Hampton Godbe's dispute with Salt Lake City mayor J. Bracken Lee over the operation of the Metropolitan Water District (1961-1965).

Dates

  • 1864-1990

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.

Two original items located in box 5, folder 3 have been removed and placed in Reserve. Access must be given by the Manuscripts Curator and by appointment. An archivist must remain with the item/items if being used. For further information, please review the information provided in the folder level description.

Conditions Governing Use

The library does not claim to control copyright for all materials in the collection. An individual depicted in a reproduction has privacy rights as outlined in Title 45 CFR, part 46 (Protection of Human Subjects). For further information, please review the J. Willard Marriott Library’s Use Agreement and Reproduction Request forms.

Biographical Sketch

Born 21 May 1906 in Salt Lake City, Hampton Clawson Godbe was the son of Anthony Hampton Godbe and Ruby Clawson Godbe. His genealogy is one that contains many influential and colorful early Utahns: William S. Godbe was his paternal grandfather, and Hiram B. Clawson was his maternal grandfather. The life of William S. Godbe, founder of the Godbeite Movement, intrigued Hampton Godbe and he intended to write a book about it. He made it his project in his retirement years to collect information about his grandfather, and trace his many relatives. The book was never published, but much information was compiled. Hampton Godbe attended East High School, where he served as editor of the student newspaper. He went on to work for the Salt Lake Telegram and the Salt Lake Tribune. He was in the Army Enlisted Reserve Corps from 1928 to 1930. In 1938, Godbe became the first management officer of the Metropolitan Water District of Salt Lake City. After thirty years with the water district, he worked for the State Highway Department until his retirement in 1972, when he began working on his research project full-time. Godbe was a member of the Utah State Historical Society, Friends of the Marriott Library, Colorado River Water Users Association and the Provo River Distribution System. Hampton Godbe died 25 June 1991.

Extent

5 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

The Hampton C. Godbe papers (1864-1990) consist of materials collected by Godbe documenting the life of his grandfather, William S. Godbe, in preparation for a proposed biography. Included are correspondence, notes, articles, and memorabilia. Also included are additional research notes of Hampton Godbe on other topics, as well as personal papers, memorabilia, and news clippings. Hampton Godbe was a Utah newspaper reporter and, later, the manager of Salt Lake City's Metropolitan Water District. His grandfather, William S. Godbe, was the leader of a group of Salt Lake City LDS Church members opposed to the leadership of Brigham Young, later known as the Godbeites or the Church of Zion.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Boxes 1-10 were donated in 1993 (4 linear feet).

Boxes 11-12 were donated in 1996 (circa 1 linear feet).

Separated Materials

Photographs were transferred to the Multimedia Division of Special Collections (P0113).

Processing Information

Processed by Jennifer Breaden in 1993.

Addendum processed by Heather Harkness in 1999.
Title
Inventory of the Hampton C. Godbe papers
Author
Finding aid prepared by Jennifer Breaden.
Date
1993 (last modified: 1999 and 2019)
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English.

Repository Details

Part of the J. Willard Marriott Library Special Collections Repository

Contact:
295 South 1500 East
Salt Lake City Utah 84112 United States
801-581-8863