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William Derby Johnson diary

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 1506

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of photocopied diaries. The initial thirty-two pages are autobiographical and tell of the first twenty-one years of the author's life. The journal entries are from December 2, 1871 to January 24, 1894. The years 1873 to 1876 are summarized. Johnson attended Deseret University and later taught there. He married Lucy A. Salisbury on November 29, 1869. He taught school in Washington and Kanab, Utah. Johnson served as a territorial legislator 1878-1882 from Kane and Washington counties and also went with the Utah delegation to Washington, D.C. in 1882 to apply for statehood. Johnson went to Mexico in 1885 to escape arrest for bigamy and helped lay out the town of Diaz, Chihuahua, Mexico 1886. He was set apart as Superintendent of Church schools in the Mexican Mission in 1892.

Dates

  • 1871-1894

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Open for public research.

Conditions Governing Use

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances. Permission to publish material from William Derby Johnson diary must be obtained from the Supervisor of Reference Services and/or the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Board of Curators.

Biographical History

Johnson was an educator, legislator, and held a number of positions in the Mormon Church. He served as bishop of the Kanab Ward, Utah (1877-1884), as a member of the Kanab Stake presidency (1884-1885), and as bishop of the Diaz Ward, Juarez Stake, Mexico (1886-1910).

Extent

11 boxes (5.5 linear feet) : photocopies.

Language of Materials

English

Other Finding Aids

Original diaries are owned by Beth Simper of Holbrook, Arizona.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Donated; Leona Simper; 1975.

Appraisal

19th Century Western and Mormon Manuscripts.

Existence and Location of Copies

Transcriptions of diaries available in Box 6-11.

Title
Register of William Derby Johnson diary
Status
Completed
Author
Garrett Schroath
Date
2011 March 11
Description rules
Appm
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English in Latin script.

Repository Details

Part of the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Repository

Contact:
1130 HBLL
Brigham Young University
Provo Utah 84602 United States