Security Company of Salt Lake City, a reclamation project involving the expenditure of
one million dollars. He has been active in the incorporation and promotion of a num-
ber of these interests, his sound business judgment enabling him to readily discrim-
inate between the essential and the non-essential in business affairs.

In 1901 Mr. Thompson was married to Miss Lillian Miner, of Salt Lake City, a
daughter of Judge Aurelius Miner, one of the old-time representatives of the judiciary
of Utah. They have become the parents of three children. Elsa and Helen, both at-
tending Putnam Hall, at Poughkeepsie, New York, preparing for Vassar College; and
Fred, born in 1914, complete the family.

Mr. Thompson became a charter member of the Commercial Boosters Club of Logan,
an organization which is putting forth most earnest and effective effort for the de-
velopment of the business interests of the city and the public welfare along many lines.
He formerly served as one of the directors of the organization. He likewise belongs to
the Modern Woodmen of America. His political allegiance is given to the republican
party and at all times he is well informed on the questions and issues of the day but
does not seek office as a reward for party fealty. His interest in the welfare of county,
commonwealth and country, however, is deep and sincere and is manifest in many
tangible ways. During the period of the war he served as a member of the State
Council of Defense for Cache county and did most effective war work, while to every
cause he made generous contribution. It is a recognized fact that the cooperation of
Mr. Thompson may be gained in support of any plan or project that has to do with, the
welfare and upbuilding of his adopted city.



PETE,R C. LARSEN.

Peter C. Larsen, who has the management of the stables for the Utah Fuel Com-
pany at Clearcreek, a position which he has occupied for fifteen years, was born in
Spring City, Utah, March 23, 1874, his parents being Soren and Maria (Hansen) Larsen,
who in early life came to this state. They settled at Spring City but were driven out by
the Indians during the Black Hawk war and removed to Ephraim, which place was
then known as Fort Ephraim. There they lived in the fort, in which their son Hans
was born. After conditions were settled with the Indians and peace was declared
they returned to Spring City, where Soren Larsen and his wife remained until called
to their final rest. The father followed farming and lived a quiet unassuming life as
a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was a mem-
ber of the Elders Quorum and later in life was ordained a Seventy. The family num-



264 UTAH SINCE STATEHOOD

bered nine children, seven sons and two daughters: Peter C., Soren, Jr., Marinus,
Daniel, Otto and Josephine, who are yet living, and Hans, Anna and David, deceased.

Peter C. Larsen pursued his education in the common schools of Spring City and
when eighteen years of age started out independently in the business world. He took
up the occupation of farming and after his father's death his interest was given to
the welfare of the other children of the household. He still maintains his interests
in Spring City but in 1892 came to Clearcreek. For fifteen years he has had charge
of the teams and management of the stables of the Utah Fuel Company, in which
capacity he has since continued. There is considerable responsibility attached to this
position and he has proven most capable and trustworthy in the discharge of his duties.

At Manti, on the 19th of April, 1899, Mr. Larsen was married to Miss Nellie Acord,
who was born in Spring City, Utah, in 1879, a daughter of Abraham and Nancy (Frost)
Acord, who on coming to Utah settled at Spring City during the period of pioneer
development in that section of the state. Her father followed farming and stock
raising and about 1889 he was called to Mexico, where he passed away. The mother is
now living in Provo at the age of seventy-eight years and enjoys splendid health. She
has long been an active worker in the church. To Mr. and Mrs. Larsen have been born
the following named: Leslie, A., who was born May 9, 1900; Henry C., born February
18, 1902; Hugh Ernest, who was born at Clearcreek, July 7, 1908; and David Arthur,
who has passed away. Leslie A. and Henry C. Larsen are natives of Spring City.

Mr. Larsen adheres- to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and when
Clearcreek ward was organized in 1911 he was ordained a counselor to Bishop McMillan
and in 1913 was set apart as the successor of Bishop McMillan, who had moved away.
In politics Mr. Larsen is a republican and has served as chairman of the school board
but neither seeks nor desires office as a reward for party fealty. Aside from his busi-
ness, he prefers to concentrate his efforts and attention upon his church work and his
labors are proving most fruitful in this connection.



FREDERICK AUGUSTUS HERMAN FRANK MITCHELL.

Frederick Augustus Herman Frank Mitchell, now past eighty-four years of
age, was born at Sheffield, Yorkshire, England, July 14, 1835. His parents, Hezekiah
and Sarah (Mallinson) Mitchell, came to Utah with their family, numbering eight,
in the James S. Brown company, arriving September 29, 1854. The father was a
prominent churchman, becoming a high priest and counselor in the bishopric of
the first ward of Salt Lake City, thus serving at the time of his demise. By trade
he was a machinist and also gave his attention to farming. He died September
25, 1872, in Salt Lake City.

F. A. H. F. Mitchell entered upon his business career as a clerk for the firm
of Hooper, Williams & Company, with whom he remained for eighteen months.
On the 15th of November, 1855, he was married to Miss Margaret Thompson, a
daughter of Ralph and Ann (Bentley) Thompson, and a native of Alstone, West-
moreland, England, where she was born January 31, 1840. In the latter part
of that year her parents came with their family to the United States and resided
at Nauvoo, Illinois, until they were expelled by mob violence in the last week of
September, 1846. As best they could they made their way to St. Louis, Missouri,
having relatives there, and during their sojourn in that city were the victims
of that pestilential epidemic cholera which caused the death of the mother and
three of their children. In 1852 Mr. Thompson and the remainder of the children
crossed the plains to Utah with ox teams. He died February 8, 1872, and thus
passed away a worthy follower. of the Lord Jesus Christ. In the month of April,
1856, F. A. H. F. Mitchell was called at the general conference of the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to take a mission to the Hawaiian islands. It
was at a time when the most severe conditions existed regarding lack of food
in the history of the early experiences of the Utah pioneers. In the previous
harvest there had not been over ten per cent of the amount of the seed harvested
that was sown in the spring, and the harvests of the preceding years were also
very seriously diminished by the ravages of the grasshoppers and crickets, so that
there were few and limited stores to relieve the scarcity. Mr. Mitchell had not
been able to lay up any part of his earnings. The necessities of his parents' family



UTAH SINCE STATEHOOD 267

required all he could apply to their sustenance. When flour could be obtained
it was sold at twenty-five dollars per hundred weight. There were a large number
of families called to settle Carson valley, at that time a part of the territory of
Utah. Many of these families had cattle and Mr. Mitchell obtained employment,
to drive loose stock to their destination, for which he was to receive his board.
He made the entire journey on foot, tramping the trail over the Sierra Nevada
mountains to Placerville, California. Unable to obtain employment in Sacramento,
he went to San Jose, near San Francisco, and obtained work in the harvest fields
in that district for a time. He had a letter from Captain William H. Hooper to
his friend, the Hon. C. K. Garrison, who was the president of the New York &
San Francisco Steamship Company. Mr. Garrison was absent in New York and
the son voluntarily secured passage for Mr. Mitchell to Honolulu. He sailed about
the 3d or 4th of September, 1856, on the Frances Palmer, arriving at Honolulu
on the 18th of September, and on the 22d of the same month took a schooner
for the island of Maui, to attend the church conference at Wailuku. He was
appointed to labor for the first six months on the island of Molokai and assiduously
applied himself to the study of the Hawaiian language. In three months' time
from the date of his arrival at Honolulu he addressed the Hawaiians in their own
language and from that on had no difficulty in communicating with them in their
own tongue. From that beginning he labored on the islands of Hawaii, Maui
and Oahu and previously upon the island of Molokai, being soon able to use the
island language as readily as his native English.

After a sojourn of about eighteen months all the missionaries of the Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were called home owing to the fact that the
United States government was sending its Johnston's army to mob the Mormons
of Utah. He obtained passage on the brig Fannie Major to San Francisco by
shipping as painter and paying twenty-five dollars painting the vessel from stem
to stern, from the bulwarks to the water's edge before she left port, also doing
what work there was to do on the voyage besides, for steerage fare. He arrived
at San Francisco, April 6, 1858, and in May and June made two trips from
Petaluma to the northern boundary of the state on horseback, visiting the membera
of the church to learn if any desired to go to Utah. He succeeded in finding about
twelve families having that many horse teams, and piloted them from Marysville by
way of Placerville and the Humboldt route to Ogden, Utah, arriving there October
27, 1858.

Mr. Mitchell then entered the employ of William S. Godbe, a druggist, with
whom he continued for several years, when an opportunity developed to embark
In a commission purchasing enterprise, taking orders for dry goods, groceries,
hardware, machinery, farm implements, etc., at a rate of from five to ten per
cent commission and a uniform rate of freight from place of purchase by teams
from the Missouri river. The custom in those days was a round one hundred
per cent advance on cost and freight, which was a great tax on the industrial
efforts of the early pioneers. Mr. Mitchell, having acquired a general acquaintance
with the personnel of the pioneers throughout the territory, had no difficulty in
obtaining their patronage and formed a partnership with the aforesaid Mr. Godbe.
Under the proposition previously indicated, in the season of 1864, they purchased
sixty-five thousand dollars worth of goods, which they delivered to their patrons
on an average of seven and a half per cent on cost and twenty-five cents per pound
freight. In the seasons of 1865 and 1866 their purchases amounted to one hundred
and fifty thousand dollars each year. In the two following seasons the business
shrank very materially for the reason that the Union Pacific Railroad was nearing
completion, which had the effect of revolutionizing the old trade theory, hence
they retired. At that time Zion's Cooperative Mercantile Institution was inaugur-
ated and this proved a marked factor in emancipating the public from the lion
propensity of high profits demanded by alien merchants. Mr. Mitchell then entered
into the business of manufacturing tin and sheet ironware and for several years
supplied Zion's Cooperative Mercantile Institution with its supply of those com-
modities, at prices no higher than if purchased in the city of Chicago, with freight
added. During this latter period Mr. Mitchell was for eight years a member of
the Deseret Agricultural and Manufacturing Society board.

For several years Mr. Mitchell acted as counselor to the late Bishop Edwin
D. Wooley of the thirteenth ward of Salt Lake City. In 1873 he was called by



268 UTAH SINCE STATEHOOD

the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on a second mission to the Hawaiian
islands, Mrs. M. T. Mitchell and their family of five children accompanying him.
The church labors assigned to him on that mission were to preside over the church
on those islands. While there a very interesting event transpired which gave the
church much greater influence and prestige than it had obtained before with the
government. The newly elected king, Kalakaua, honored Mr. Mitchell and his
fellow churchmen with a visit while making an official tour of all communities on
his capital island, Oahu. They extended to him the largest reception he received
in any of his outlying communities, entertaining his majesty by assembling six
or seven hundred of his subjects to hear him deliver an address. Two hundred
Sunday school children sang for him and the king with thirty-five of his official
retinue was entertained at the mission residence and two hundred of his native
followers were sumptuously fed at the meeting house. The barriers to all future
cordiality were removed and an invitation was given to visit the king at his palace
in Honolulu at any time they might desire. The king was so impressed with what
they were doing for his people that when Mr. Mitchell was returning home and
desired to take with him an adult native the. king responded to the request, saying
that if for every ten persons we might desire to go to our country to be taught our
customs only one should return, that one would be of far greater value to his
country than the ten remaining at home. The missionaries of the church hereto-
fore were not allowed to solemnize marriages, but afterward the privilege was
granted to the elders. Mr. Mitchell returned from this mission in February, 1875.

Disposing of the tin and ironware business, Mr. Mitchell entered the employ of
Zion's Cooperative Mercantile Institution and made two commercial trips to Rich-
mond in the north and to all settlements south to St. George and Pioche on the
west, adjusting much unsettled business with the branch stores. He afterward
held a position in the dry goods department for more than five years, when he
left that position to develop an interest in coal mining property in Summit county,
Utah, obtained in 1865. The mine was reopened by digging a vertical shaft one
hundred feet in depth to the main body of the coal. At this time the Utah Eastern
Railroad Company was building a road from Coalville to Park City and to Salt
Lake City and had induced the Ontario Silver Mining Company to subscribe liberally
to that enterprise, and as an adjunct thereto had induced the said company to
desire an interest in the coal company and was willing to purchase thirteen-twenty-
nfths of the stock. Mr. Mitchell, who owned more than ninety per cent of the
stock of the Wasatch Coal Mining Company, sold to the Ontario Silver Mining
Company the said amount of thirteen-twenty-fifths of the capital stock of the
Wasatch Coal Mining Company and at the same time a new corporation was made
of that interest under the title of the Home Coal Company, of which Mr. Mitchell
was elected a director, and also became the secretary and manager, acting in that
capacity for fourteen years. In the meantime the developments were such that
an output of one thousand tons per day was obtained. However, the Utah Eastern
Railroad was built only to Park City, therefore the market that was to be obtained
by that road to Salt Lake City failed N of accomplishment, producing a curtailment
to the productive profits, resulting in the freezing out of the minority shareholders.
To liquidate the expense of the extended improvements a heavy assessment of
fifty-five per cent on the stock was levied. Mr. Mitchell, failing to pay, his interest
in that property was absorbed.

At that time he changed his residence to Cache county, Utah. From 1888
Mr. Mitchell held an appointment under the United States government as deputy
mineral surveyor. Under a call of the presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints he ( was appointed to take a mission to Great Britain, on which
he departed in October, 1899, sailing from Philadelphia in October and arriving
at Liverpool, on the 1st of Nbvember. He was appointed to labor in ,the New-
castle-on-Tyne conference and the December following received the appointment
to preside over that conference, continuing in that position until released to return
home in February, 1902. While in Great Britain he had the privilege of visiting
Scotland, Ireland and London.

Prior to the admission of Utah into the Union, Mr. Mitchell was elected three
consecutive terms, or for a period of six years, a member of the board of com-
missioners to locate university lands and during the last term acted as chairman
of the board. During that period he had charge of reviewing a large number of the



UTAH SINCE STATEHOOD 269

lands located upon, for the reason that his predecessors had filed on an excess
of acreage over that awarded by act of congress. Therefore the commission visited
many of the locations to learn the least desirable of the lands located and thus
produced the least amount of trouble possible at the time locations were allowed
coincidental with the acquiring of statehood. This review enabled the board to
relinquish through its records the excessive acreage and bring the total amount
equal to the net amount granted by act of congress. Mr. Mitchell also acted as
superintendent of the twentieth ward Sunday school in Salt Lake City for several
years, being relieved of that responsibility on moving from the ward. He was
a home missionary in the Salt Lake stake for a period of nine years, ending in
1893. He acted as agent for the Deseret News Company in Logan during the years
1905, 1906 and 1907. From April, 1905, until June 21, 1909, he was secretary
and manager of the Cache Commercial Club in Logan, retiring when that organiza-
tion was given over to the Boosters Club. Mr. Mitchell is now the representative
of the Genealogical Society of Utah and first counselor to the president of the
High Priests' Quorum of the Cache stake. He is also an ordained patriarch in
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.



JAMES A. McKEEN.

James A. McKeen, filling the position of fire boss with the United States Fuel Com-
pany at Heiner, was born in Nova Scotia, September 6, 1864, and pursued his education
in the public schools of his native land. On attaining his majority he came to the west,
making his way first to Leadville, Colorado, where he engaged in mining, maintaining
a home there for thirty-three years. During that long period, however, he engaged in
mining in Arizona as foreman of the Arizona Copper Company. In 1896 he was sent
by a Leadville Company to do some development work in Utah, where he remained
for five months. Eventually he settled at Heiner, Carbon county, and accepted the
position of fire boss with the United States Fuel Company, in which capacity he has
since served. This is a position of the gravest responsibility, for inefficiency might
cause the greatest loss of life and property in the mines, where there is always danger
of fire. Mr. McKeen, however, is most careful and systematic in his work and his
efficiency is recognized by all.

Mr. McKeen was first married in Leadville, Colorado, in 1898, to Miss Jennie French,
who passed away leaving two children: Edith, born October 1, 1899; and Clara, on the
9th of October, 1901. In 1911 Mr. McKeen was again married at Leadville, his second
union being with Myrtle Draper, and they have two children: James A., born July 31,
1912; and Alice, born March 14, 1914. Mr. McKeen is a very progressive man and is
giving his elder children the advantages of college training. His home surroundings
are most attractive and he is in every way a desirable resident of the community. All
who know him speak of him in terms of high regard, and his sterling worth is attested
by all who have been associated with him.



GEORGE WILLIAM LINDQUIST.

George William Lindquist, who is engaged in the undertaking business in Logan,
was born September 29, 1871, in the city which is still his home. His parents were Niels
and Josephine (Hogland) Lindquist, both of whom were natives of Sweden and have
now passed away. The father was a cabinetmaker by trade, learning the business in
his native country, and in the early '60s he left Sweden for the United States, making
Utah his destination. He first went to Salt Lake City and thence to Logan, where he
conducted a furniture store for a time. His death occurred in 1896.

George William Lindquist acquired a public school education at Logan and before
putting aside his textbooks made his initial step into the business world. He was em-
ployed during vacation periods and after leaving school he followed the trade of paint-
ing until 1892. He was then sent on a mission to Sweden, where he labored in behalf
of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints most successfully until 1894, baptiz-
ing nine while away. He has always remained an active and consistent member of
and worker in the church and in July, 1917, was ordained bishop of the fourth ward ,



270 UTAH SINCE STATEHOOD

of Logan. He learned the embalming business in Philadelphia and Salt Lake City and
entered upon the undertaking business which had been established by his father and
which has since greatly developed, being recognized today as the leading concern of the
kind in Logan and the Cache valley. The business has reached extensive proportions,
owing to the thorough reliability,* the honorable methods and the tact and kindliness
which Mr. Lindquist uniformly displays.

In 1890 Mr. Lindquist was united in marriage to Miss Mettina Olsen, who was born
in Logan and is of Danish descent, her father being Christian L. Olsen. Mr. and Mrs.
Lindquist have become parents of nine children. Alonzo George, twenty-five years of
age and now engaged in business with his father, married Louella Rigby, and they have
three children. Verna Mae is the second of the family. Charles Ariel a graduate of
the Agricultural College of Utah, served with the American army during the World
war and has recently been discharged. Wesley has passed away. Gladys, Josephine,
Kenneth, Irvine and Mabel are the remaining members of the family.

Mr. Lindquist heartily cooperates in all interests of public benefit and to this end
holds membership in the Commercial Boosters' Club. His political allegiance is given
to the republican party and for four years he was president of the city council. Prior
to that time he had served two years as a member of the council. He was also city
commissioner for four years, 1912-1916, but whether in office or out of it, his aid and
support can always be counted upon to promote the public welfare. Logan has indeed
found in him a valued and representative citizen one who has closely studied its needs
and opportunities and who in its behalf has acted wisely and well.



WALTER WILLIAM MORRISON.

Walter William Morrison, postmaster of Richfield, In which city he was born,
February 3, 1874, is a son of William and Christina (Iverson) Morrison, who
were early settlers of southern Utah and suffered all the trials and tribulations
of pioneer days in Sanpete and Sevier counties. William Morrison was an educated
Scot who became a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in
his native country, and later, in 1851, came to America, locating in St. Louis. In
1856 he came to Utah, settling first at Salt Lake and later at Mount Pleasant. In
1864 he took up his residence in Richfield, the county seat of Sevier county, and
wrote his name high upon its records by reason of his loyalty in citizenship and his
support of progressive public measures. He was one of the best Indian fighters
in the early days. He was also the first probate judge of the county and the first
county clerk and he represented the county in the territorial legislature of 1874.
As a surveyor he laid out Richfield, Elsinore, Monroe and many of the other towns
of the county and in every way made Sevier county a better place In which to live
by reason of the fact that he was connected with its development and improvement.

His son, Walter William Morrison, has endeavored to hold up the honored
name of the family and to assist in the work of public improvement according to
changed conditions. He was educated in the common schools of the county and
in the University of Utah and for eight years after his graduation devoted his