1832. She is the eldest daughter of Spencer Clawson, A. B., and
Catherine Curtis, and grand daughter of Daniel Spencer, who fought
in the Revolutionary War. Her father graduated at Union College,
Schenectady, New York, and also at the Theological College at Hamilton,
as a minister of the Baptist denomination. He received the gospel when
his daughter was seven years old. He immediately sold his effects and
went to Nauvoo, where he became intimately associated with the Prophet
Joseph. At the age of nine years, she was baptized in the Mississippi
river. During the exodus from Nauvoo her mother died from exposure
and exhaustion, through leaving a comfortable house to camp out in
mid-winter. Six months later her father was sent to Great Britain to
take charge of the mission there. It was there he wrote the celebrated
"Spencer's Letters," a little volume well known among the church works.
He also became editor of the _Millennial Star_, which position he held
for three years. He was obliged to leave his five remaining children
in Ellen's care, she being now only thirteen years of age. During
his absence the little family crossed the plains with ox teams, in
President Brigham Young's company, taking five months to complete the
journey, and suffering all the privations and hardships with the rest
of the Saints.
Miss Ellen C. Spencer was married in March 1850, by President Brigham
Young, to Hiram B. Clawson, who soon after became to President
Young, business manager, a position he held for a number of years;
subsequently superintendent of the Z. C. M. I., and is at present
Bishop of the Twelfth Ward, Salt Lake City. Mrs. Clawson is the mother
of fourteen children, four sons and ten daughters, seven daughters
and two sons of whom are now living. In April, 1879, Mrs. Clawson was
called to preside over the Primary Association of the Twelfth Ward,
Salt Lake City, and later was ordained to preside over all the Primary
Associations of the Salt Lake Stake of Zion.
Think of this noble girl, hardly more than a child, taking upon her
young life the duties and cares of a loved and lost, a martyred mother!
Surely she was precious in God's sight; and his arm must have sustained
her through that long and lonely journey through the wilderness. That
same strength of character, that same sweet patience of spirit, gentle
manner, have upborne her through later eventful periods. A prominent
and beautiful feature in her life, one that has won to her the truest
respect, the unperishable love of her friends is the position she has
maintained amid her husband's family, like a loving queen mother, in
his home circle.
Mrs. Clawson's two sons, H. B. and Spencer Clawson, are in the
mercantile business, the latter a wholesale merchant, both men of high
social and business standing, and an honor to their parents.
EMMELINE B. WELLS.
EDITOR OF "WOMAN'S EXPONENT."
This lady, like most of our representative women, was born in
New England, February 29, 1828, at Petersham, Worcester County,
Massachusetts. Her maiden name was Woodward. The forefathers of
her family came in 1830, settled in and around Boston, were large
landowners, and by profession were mathematicians, surveyors, etc. Mrs.
Wells' ancestry, both on the father and mother's side, were purely of
English extraction, and fought for freedom in the Revolutionary War,
as well as that of 1812, some of them being officers of high rank.
Her brothers and other relations fought in the late Civil War also.
Mrs. Wells has had an eventful history in many respects, and somewhat
romantic; were it to be published as a story and strictly true, it
would be stranger than fiction.
In her early life she gave promise of unusual talent, her memory was
quite wonderful, storing up the many incidents and points of beauty
around her to be brought forth in after years in faithful portraiture
amid far off valleys and places then unbuilt and undiscovered. It was
the expectation of her family and friends that she would make a mark
in the world and do them honor; this was to be verified, but in a way
undreamed of by them. The place and work God had chosen for her had
not in her childhood, even a name. The child of destiny, straying
alone yet not lonely, with her busy fancies finding companionship
in fields, woods and brooks, the haunts of nature in their rudest,
wildest form; listening to the songs of birds and sighing of the forest
leaves, touching with caressing hand the flowers and moss-grown rocks,
searching through shrubbery and tangled vines, or looking up through
alcoves green and dim, feasted her eyes upon the wondrous sky where
moving clouds passed on in endless changes 'neath that world, where she
was taught the home and throne of God forever are. These surroundings
and influences developed and moulded that individuality of character
during her childhood to the degree, that at eight years of age she
commenced composing in rhyme, choosing instinctively the beautiful and
harmonious method of expression which is poetry. This element cannot
be possessed by anyone, old or young, but that it casts an influence
recognized at once, and men and women gray haired now, say, that
watching the thoughtful child they knew there was a special destiny for
her, undefined, but nevertheless felt as something grand and great. So,
hovered the spirit of her mission around her through her childhood, and
at ten years of age she became a member of the church choir, happy in
lifting her full heart in hymns of worship and of praise.
How many have found sweet joy in singing; that expression of
supplication, faith and gratitude, which in any and every religion is,
we feel, true and acceptable adoration.
In November, 1841, the Gospel was preached in her native village; and
her mother believed and was baptized. Immediately a branch of the
Church was organized and some excitement in regard to Mormonism sprang
up among the worldly-wise and learned. Mrs. Wells' mother persuaded her
to go and hear the Mormon elders, and told her she knew it was the true
Gospel that the ancient Apostles taught, and that she had been looking
forward to such a dispensation. She was a woman of very strong mind, of
practical capabilities, yet withal very spiritual in her nature, had
been for many years a staunch Congregationalist, and had her children
brought up in that church. Ministers, lawyers, judges and influential
men came with their profound learning and logic to convince Mrs. Wells'
mother that Mormonism was a delusion, but all in vain. On the young and
inexperienced daughter they expected to be able to make an impression,
and no means was left untried. Everything that could be said or done
was brought to bear, and when she had decided to receive the ordinance
of baptism all the powers of darkness seemed to conspire to hinder it.
She affirms that a power she had no knowledge of heretofore, seemed
to possess her at this momentous time to help her to withstand the
intercessions and pleadings of those who had been her friends, and who
now so vigorously sought to keep her from going down into the waters of
baptism.
On the 1st day of March, 1842, when a little group of Latter-Day Saints
was assembled to perform the ordinance of baptism on her mother's own
ground, just near her home, zealous friends sent messengers down to ask
her if she was _sure_ she was acting of her own free will and choice,
otherwise they would take her by force and she should never lack for
means of a higher education, but if she accepted the Mormon faith and
gathered at Nauvoo she _must_ renounce not only her friends but also
all the advantages of literary culture she had so ardently hoped to
attain, and be forever disgraced. Not knowing but that it was true that
her hopes for further advancement must be resigned, she laid them on
the altar of her faith, willing to yield up her future entirely to the
will and care of her Creator. Some power potent indeed buoyed her up
and she went through this trying ordeal and though her delicate nerves
were somewhat shaken yet she told her mother and friends then what
proved true afterwards, that the crisis was past, she had renounced all
she had before looked forward to, henceforth she desired to dedicate
herself entirely to the work in which she had enlisted.
During the year after her coming into the Church she pursued her
studies at the same school, yet she had to endure a great deal of
ridicule on account of being a Mormon, and her teacher never wearied
of persuading and entreating her to give up such foolish ideas, and
resume her place among her associates. But though she was as one alone,
for there was not another in the school that believed in the peculiar
faith she had embraced, and she understood very little herself, still
she had an innate conception of the entire consecration necessary for a
Latter-Day Saint. The next year she taught a country school, receiving
her certificate as readily as any of the other young ladies; and early
in the spring of 1844, in the month of April, she went up to Nauvoo,
where she had the privilege of hearing Joseph Smith preach his last
discourses. After reaching Nauvoo she received strong testimony, not by
any spiritual manifestations, but that which convinced her reason and
intelligence.
We cannot attempt to give in detail the changes and trials of Nauvoo,
but suffice it to say that through sickness, sorrow and severe trial
she kept the faith.
In the winter of 1844-45, she was taught the principle of celestial
marriage by Bishop Newel K. Whitney and his wife, whose acquaintance
she had formed through having been introduced to the family by a cousin
of Sister Whitney's. This cousin was one of the company in which she
had traveled to Nauvoo, and who because of her delicate health, her
youth and inexperience, had been attracted towards her.
She accepted the principle in its sacred phase and entered into the
order or covenant of celestial marriage with the same purity of motive
that had influenced her in going down into the waters of baptism. The
ceremony was performed by Brigham Young in one of the upper rooms
of the Bishop's house in Nauvoo, in the evening of the 14th day of
February, 1845, the only witness being the Bishop's first wife, who
not only had consented but actually urged the matter, and gave her to
her husband; and the most sincere friendship existed forever afterward
between the two, who really lived like mother and daughter, and though
so intimately associated in the same family, and sometimes under
circumstances the most trying, yet no jar or contention ever marred
their true friendship for each other. To those who doubt the fact of
women living happily together no better illustration can be given
than such practical ones as these. Here were two refined, sensitive
natures in harmony with that condition of marriage, but it was from
the fact that they accepted it from divine authority as a part of
their religion, and a higher law which would secure to them a future
exaltation; never losing sight of the exalted nature of their mission,
having undertaken to live lives of self-sacrifice and purity. The
false assertion made by the world that women of marked character and
attainments would never submit to live in the order of plural marriage
is disproved by such instances as this one. Both were women of high
social attainments, and possessing superior qualities of mind and heart.
It is the higher nature that must be aroused to inspire women to carry
out practically this exalting, refining principle, and through this
crucible many have come forth like gold seven times purified, tried as
by fire yet without the smell upon their garments.
Mrs. Wells received the ordinances and the blessings of the Temple with
her husband in Nauvoo, and came out in the month of February, crossing
the Mississippi River on the ice. Her mother, who had been a staunch
Latter-Day Saint from her first hearing the Gospel preached, died of
hardships and fatigue when the Saints were driven from Nauvoo.
In Winter Quarters she taught school and came with the Bishop and his
family to the valley, leaving the Missouri River towards the last of
May, 1845, and arrived in the valley early in October. On the 2nd day
of November, after, her eldest daughter was born in a wagon, during one
of those cold piercing wind and sleet storms that often occur at that
season. September 23, 1850, Bishop Whitney died, leaving her a widow at
twenty-two with two children, the eldest not then two years of age, the
youngest a babe five weeks old. Many of her friends feared she would
sink beneath her trials, but she rallied those forces of her nature,
which under a husband's care had never been called into requisition,
and turned to the ways and means of providing for her little ones. Left
as it were alone, bereft and so helpless, the young mother was like one
in a dream, she had trusted to her husband so entirely, and knew so
little herself of the practical realities of life; she had not thought
he could die. He was one to lean upon, and she had looked up to him as
a little child looks up to a true loving parent with a reverence almost
more than human. To her he had shown the utmost tenderness, helping
and encouraging in times of severe trial, making every burden lighter
because of the intense sympathy of his spiritual nature. This was one
of the eventful epochs of her life. She awakened to know that for her,
duty must be first, and she became in course of time accustomed to
acting for herself instead of leaning upon another.
It was a hard lesson, but she studied it carefully, and sought
earnestly for divine help upon her efforts; but we are simply giving
a few facts and not minute details, therefore suffice it to say after
something more than two years of widowhood she married again.
During the Bishop's life, he frequently prophesied to her of the future
and what her work would yet be, and although she could not then imagine
how such changes could possibly be wrought, (as much on account of the
condition of the country and the circumstances of the people,) yet
looking back over it now, she realizes how prophetic his words were,
and the promises made concerning her future have many of them been
fulfilled.
Mrs. Wells often says she was born a woman's rights advocate,
inheriting it from her mother, who was a staunch advocate for woman's
emancipation, and when left a widow with a large family, realized more
fully the injustice of the laws in regard to women, their property
rights and guardianship of children. Mrs. Wells has been the mother of
six children, one son and five daughters, and during their childhood
devoted herself almost exclusively to their care and education.
Mrs. Wells has always had a great desire to see others advance, and in
her home before she entered upon public duties ever sought to stimulate
those around her to efforts of development of the higher nature. She
has given much genuine encouragement to those who would shrink from
criticism and would consequently, unless aroused, bury their talents or
fold them away in a napkin. She is exceedingly frank in her nature and
generous to a fault, and possesses an admirable faculty of entertaining
those with whom she is from time to time associated. She has drawn
around her people of taste, ability and culture; the secret of her
winning friends is perhaps in her almost total forgetfulness of self,
and her intense wish to make others happy. Perhaps, among her friends,
few are fonder or more sincere than those who have received both
sympathy, encouragement and advice from her who has not feared that
other lights might dim her own, she has rejoiced in the progress and
victories of others as though they were her own achievements.
It is truly wonderful to contemplate the public work accomplished by
Mrs. Wells in the comparatively brief opportunity of time since her
labors began. In the Eastern States prominent women have pursued these
objects for nearly fifty years, but the women of Utah have stood afar
and alone with no part in matters of a political nature until about
thirteen years ago. They have exercised their privileges with respect,
caution and wisdom, holding neither lightly or boastfully the freedom
of the ballot. Many have read law and studied parliamentary rules,
and have on occasions of public character endeavored to profit by
observation in the presentation and discussion of such matters.
Mrs. Wells has traveled much among our people, speaking and assisting
in organizing. She has good executive ability and is well adapted to
this kind of work.
In political matters she takes great interest, and since the women
of Utah have had the ballot she has taken a prominent part in that
direction and done much active work.
Mrs. Wells went to Washington as a delegate from the women of Utah in
January, 1879, to attend the Convention of the National Woman Suffrage
Association, accompanied by Mrs. Zina Young Williams and while there
they had the opportunity of speaking before committees of House and
Senate, and also had an audience with President Hayes and several
of the leading men of the nation on the Mormon question. They also
prepared a memorial to Congress and succeeded in getting it presented.
In November, 1874, Mrs. Wells went into the office of the _Woman's
Exponent_ to assist the editor, Mrs. Lula Greene Richards, a little
in her labors, and gradually grew interested in the work, and in May,
1875, her labors became regular and constant, continuing so until in
July, 1877, when she assumed the entire responsibility, Mrs. Richards
withdrawing on account of increased domestic cares. Mrs. Wells never
seems to tire of journalistic duty.
In November, 1876, she was chosen President of the Central Grain
Committee for the storing of grain by women, against a day of famine.
At the Mass Meeting in the Theatre to protest against the Woman's
Anti-Polygamic Association she took an active part in the proceedings.
In September, 1882, Mrs. Wells went to Omaha with Mrs. Zina D. H.
Young, to attend the convention of the National Woman's Suffrage
Association again. Mrs. Wells was appointed Secretary of the Deseret
Hospital Association; in fact her time is almost constantly employed in
the performance of public duties and benevolent work.
Looking retrospectively upon the life of Emmeline B. Wells and
noting the constant upward progress she has made through the adverse
circumstances common to a pioneer life, and the establishing of a new
order of religion and social life amid the opposition and persecution
of our own nation; the result is calculated to testify strongly
against the assertions made that, in our isolation and subservience
to religious authority, woman is repressed in her abilities and
privileges; for it is in that mental atmosphere which is the very
essence of Mormonism, that hers have been developed and brought into
prominence as an exemplar to the young. If in the very stronghold of
Mormonism the standard of progress is upheld by woman's hand as well
as man's, the inference is that the next generation will show a marked
advance. Knowledge is power, and this with virtue and wisdom united,
guided by inspiration, ignorance and tyranny will alike be impotent
against the growing hosts of Israel. And, knowing this, all excellences
of acquirements and attainments are stimulated and promoted among
the old and young by our leaders, misrepresentation to the contrary
notwithstanding.
The quality of statesmanship is of high order and rare among women, but
it has been declared by the lips of prophecy that positions of power
would await the women of Zion faster than they would be qualified for
them. Mrs. Wells is by nature one of those prepared for the advent of
such an era.
And still, the songs whispered from nature to the heart of the child
chime on, and the woman repeats them in clear, sweet utterances to the
world; the intuitions of the Deity and his work she may now declare
in knowledge, and the maiden that with timid feet went down at the
Gospel's call into the waters of baptism, has become a strength, an
inspiration and a guide to women in the same path.
President Young gave Mrs. Wells a mission to record in brief the
biographies of the most prominent women of our Church, in the _Woman's
Exponent_. A part of this work has already been performed, which is an
important addition to our home literature.
I give below one selection from the lady's many beautiful poems:
REAL AND IDEAL.
At times, sweet visions float across my mind,
And glimpses of the unknown bright and fair,
Where all the objects seem so well defined--
Tasteful in color, and in beauty rare,
That I must pause and think if they be real,
Or only what the poets call ideal.
I well remember when a little child,
I had these same strange, wand'ring fancies;
And I was told my thoughts were running wild,
That I must not indulge in such romances.
Wasting in idle dreams the precious hours,
Building air castles and gazing from the towers.
E'en then I seemed to see familiar friends,
Pertaining to a dim, uncertain past;
And to my recollection faintly clings,
A sense of something which the shadows cast,
That showed me what my future life would be,
A prophecy, as 'twere, of destiny.
There was an intuition in my heart,
An innate consciousness of right and wrong,
That bade me choose a wiser, better part,
Which, in rough places helped to make me strong:
And though my path was oft bereft of beauty,
Still urged me on to fulfill ev'ry duty.
O, happy childhood, bright with faith and hope;
Enchantment dwells within thy rosy bowers,
And rainbow tints gild all within thy scope;
And youth sits lightly on a bed of flowers,
His cup of happiness just brimming o'er,
Unconscious of what life has yet in store.
What glowing aspirations fill the mind--
Of noble work designed for man to do!
What purity of purpose here we find--
What longing for the beautiful and true;
Ere know we of the toil, and grief and woe;
Or dream that men and women suffer so.
Though all along life's toilsome, weary way,
We meet with disappointments hard to bear;
Yet strength is given equal to our day,
And joy is of'nest mixed with pain or care;
But let us not grow weary in well-doing,
Still persevere, the upward path pursuing.
Thus ever struggle on, 'mid doubts and fears;
While changing scenes before our gaze unfold,
Till, through the vista of long weary years,
We see Heaven's sunshine thro' its gates of gold;
And feel assured it is an answering token,
Aye! though our earthly idols have been broken.
Tho' those we've cherished most have been untrue,
And fond and faithful ones have gone before,
Still let us keep the promises in view,
Of those who're pleading on "the other shore,"
Whose tender messages are with us yet,
The words of love, we never can forget.
And while we muse and ponder, shadows fall,
And a sweet spirit whispers, "Peace, be still;"
What of the past--'tis now beyond recall:
The future, we with usefulness may fill.
Yet sometime we shall find in regions real
Those dreams fulfilled we only term ideal.
MRS. ROMANIA B. PRATT, M. D.