Mormon settlements in Arizona collection

Collection

Identifier: MS 0034

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Mormon settlements in Arizona collection (1857-1986) is a collection of primary sources relating to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' colonization efforts along the Little Colorado River and the surrounding area. Included in the collection are diaries, journals, autobiographies, biographies, correspondence, and histories covering the earliest settlements of 1876 (Brigham City, Joseph City, Obed, and Sunset) to present-day communities. There are brief accounts of early Indian (1867-1873) and exploratory missions to Arizona. With the exception of four original account books from Joseph City, 1880-1907, the collection is made up of xerox copies of originals and typescripts. Several of the typescripts have been done by George Tanner painstakingly transcribed from faded copies and faint microfilms. A copy of "The Minutes of the Little Colorado River Stake, 1878-1887," gives a detailed account of the quarterly conferences of the Little Colorado River Mission where the problems of the United Order, dams, crops, etc., were aired. Also, there are the minutes of a special committee appointed in August of 1886 to review and disburse the property of the Sunset United Order after the Order was abandoned. This committee functioned for two years in an attempt to settle all accounts equitably. The materials have been organized by settlement with the categories (autobiography, biography, diary, etc.) arranged alphabetically and then chronologically within each category.

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Dates

1857-1986

Creator

Tanner, George S. (Person)

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

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

George S. Tanner began collecting materials on the early Arizona settlements in 1964. His first major project was the collection of the diaries of John Bushman. These diaries had been the source for John Bushman's Journal, which Bushman finished in 1918. Upon completion of the Journal, the diaries were scattered among family members in Utah, Arizona, and California. George S. Tanner began the task of gathering these diaries (more than forty in number) which he typed and bound into two large volumes. This was the beginning of a long and fruitful search for diaries, journals, correspondence, and other items relating to the history of the Mormon settlements in Arizona. George S. Tanner's interest in this subject was a personal one. He was born and raised in Joseph City, Arizona, where his parents were early Mormon pioneers--Henry Martin and Eliza Ellen Parkinson Tanner joined the settlement of Joseph City in May 1878 and spent their lives there. In 1964 George S. Tanner wrote a short biography of his father, Henry Martin Tanner, and since his father did not keep a diary or journal, it was necessary for him to gather information concerning his family from other diaries and sources. This added impetus to his collecting. Other writings to Mr. Tanner's credit are a biography of his grandfather, John Tanner, and a history of Joseph City. The latter is a complete study of the settlement and incorporates the wealth of information he has gathered.

Extent

10.25 Linear Feet (15 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The Mormon settlements in Arizona collection (1857-1986) consists of primary sources relating to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' colonization efforts along the Little Colorado River and the surrounding area. The major part of the collection consists of materials collected by George S. Tanner. Included are photocopied or transcribed diaries, histories, correspondence, financial records, biographies and autobiographies, and clippings from and about the Arizona settlements.