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George LeRoy Dockstader photograph collection

 Collection
Identifier: P1815

Scope and Contents

The George LeRoy Dockstader photograph collection consists of two boxes. Box 1 contains photographs and negatives of Dockstader and his family and friends taken between about 1900 and the 1970s and postcards of National Parks, particularly in Utah and Nevada. Box 2 contains a photograph album of the Dockstader family from the 1920s.

Dates

  • 1900s-1970s

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.

Conditions Governing Use

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

Permission to publish material from the George LeRoy Dockstader photograph collection must be obtained from the Special Collections Manuscript Curator.

Biographical Note

George LeRoy Dockstader was born on December 18, 1880 in Kingston, Utah to George Hyrum Dockstader and Matilda Emily King. During a time of familial instability, LeRoy lived in Coyote (Antimony), Utah, and in Arizona prior to moving to Salt Lake City in 1900 when he obtained a job to work in the Temple. Dockstader attended schools in Garfield county and Provo's Brigham Young University (BYU) Academy. After leaving Provo, he was employed briefly as a sheep shearer in Bountiful after which he decided to move to Idaho in the autumn of 1902.

On October 1, 1902, LeRoy married Inez Fedelia Hendricks; together, the two had nine children. Although lacking a university degree, he was hired as an elementary teacher in Marysville, Idaho. During his residency in Idaho, Dockstader engaged in numerous occupations, including cattle rancher, homesteader, Yellowstone Park cook, grain elevator manager, welfare director, law office clerk, justice of the peace, probate judge, and real estate partner. By 1936, LeRoy had moved his family to Brigham City, Utah, where he worked in the Box Elder county recorder's office. Five years later, Dockstader's peregrinations continued as he arrived in Short Creek (Colorado City), Arizona and commenced to teach in the local school, serving as its principal for over five years. Realizing the necessity of acquiring a university teaching degree, LeRoy enrolled in undergraduate classes at Arizona State College, the University of Nevada, and the University of Utah during the years of 1945-1953.

Religious experiences and ideas played a very important part of Dockstader's life. A member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, LeRoy taught Sunday school and seminary classes in Driggs and Rupert, Idaho, and held the position as a clerk for the High Council in the Minidoka stake. In the 1930s, LeRoy became increasingly skeptical of LDS leaders and influenced by Mormon fundamentalist leader Joseph W. Musser. In 1941, Musser called Dockstader to come to Short Creek where he was appointed operational manager of the Glenn Johnson Saw Mill Company. By 1957, LeRoy had met several upper echelon members of the newly-formed Church of the Firstborn of the Fulness of Times, led by Joel LeBaron and his family, and had joined the congregation. From 1957 until 1960, Dockstader presided over the Utah Mission of the Church of the Firstborn.

George LeRoy Dockstader died on October 9, 1970. (Adapted from biography written by Roger V. Paxton in 2013)

Extent

446 Items (2 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

George LeRoy Dockstader was involved in Mormon fundamentalism in the twentieth century and was an early member of the Church of the Firstborn of the Fulness of Times, formed by Joel LeBaron and his family. The George LeRoy Dockstader photograph collection contains images of Dockstader's family and friends, and photos related to the military, farming, vacations, and Salt Lake City.

Arrangement

Arranged by subject

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Purchased from Ken Sanders Rare Books in 2013.

Separated Materials

See also the George Leroy Dockstader papers (ACCN 2714) in the Manuscripts Division of Special Collections.

Processing Information

Processed by Claire A. Kempa in 2021.
Title
Guide to the George LeRoy Dockstader photograph collection
Status
Completed
Author
Finding aid created by Claire A. Kempa.
Date
2021
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