R is for Richards

Nancy Eliza Richards (see N is for Nancy), is my dear husband's great great grandmother.  Nancy was the daughter of Franklin Dewey Richards, an Apostle of the LDS Church, and his wife, Susan Sanford Pierson Richards.   Nancy's  early years were spent in Salt Lake City, close to many family and relatives, but before 1864 the family moved to the new settlement of Wanship in northeastern Utah.  Nancy and her younger brothers Albert Damon Richards and William Pierson Richards  helped glean in the fields there so the family could have food and clothing.   Their mother Susan taught them at home, and they labored early and late to obtain the comforts and necessities of life.  Nancy learned to cook, sew, knit, tat, and crochet, all necessary skills to help provide for the family.  Nancy's mother died three months before Nancy's marriage to Marion Frazier.  They later bought nearly 400 acres of land in the nearby area of Oakley where they were among the early settlers of this small town. That first winter, Nancy was the only white woman in the area.  It was very lonesome for her.  Her father occasionally was  able to come and visit with them, and meetings were usually held so the other settlers could hear the Apostle speak.  Marion and Nancy raised a large family of 10 children, and many grandchildren.  They were prominent in the community and the church.   She lost much of her eyesight in her later years, but continued to keep a nice home and produced much lace with her tatting, which was often given away to others.  She died of pneumonia on October 18, 1935.

Franklin Dewey Richards (source)

Franklin Dewey Richards, my dear husband's great, great, great grandfather, was born April 2, 1821 at Richmond, Berkshire, Massachusetts to Phinehas and Wealthy Dewey Richards.  He and his family were introduced to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints by his cousins Joseph Young and Brigham Young.  His parents were devout and respected Congregationalists and trained their children to believe in God.  Franklin's views on religion and the scriptures were different than most of those he associated with, and he turned down the opportunity to be educated for the ministry in a leading New England College.   In 1836 Franklin's father Phinehas and his brothers Willard, Levi, and George all traveled to Kirtland, Ohio to learn more about this new faith.  When they returned in 1836, Franklin was ready to join the church, and was baptized by his father Phinehas.  That same year he traveled to Missouri and then to Quincy, Illinois where he met the prophet, Joseph Smith.   Franklin was a faithful follower and leader in the church for the remainder of his life, serving many missions throughout the world, to Indiana, Michigan, Europe, England, and Scotland.  In 1848 he traveled with the Latter Day Saints to Utah, where he was ordained an Apostle of the Lord in 1849.  He served as a member of the legislature, was a regent at the University of Deseret, was commissioned as a Brigadier General of the Nauvoo Legion and served as such for about 13 years.  He served as President of the Weber Stake and as Probate Judge and County Judge for Weber County for 14 years. He served as Church Historian and Church Recorder.   He was the first president of the Utah Genealogical Society and served in that position until his death.  In 1898 Franklin D Richards was sustained as President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.  He died December 9, 1999, and was buried in Ogden, Utah.   The town of Franklin, Idaho was named after him.  A more detailed history of his life can be found Familysearch.org.