Collection Guide
Collection Title:
Collection Number:
Get Items:
Kesler (Frederick) Papers
mssHM 63493-63537
View entire collection guide
Search this collection
Table of contents
Contributing Institution:
The Huntington Library
Title: Frederick Kesler papers
Creator:
Kesler, Frederick,
1816-1899
Identifier/Call Number: mssHM 63493-63537
Physical Description:
2 Linear Feet
(3 boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1852-1898
Abstract: A collection of correspondence and
journals of the American master millwright and Mormon Bishop, Frederick Kesler.
Language of Material: Materials are in
English.
Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at
the Huntington Library for more information.
The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from
or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The
responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining
necessary permissions rests with the researcher.
[Identification of item]. Frederick Kesler papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino,
California.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Purchased from Zion Bookstore, December 1962.
Frederick Kesler (1816-1899) was born in Meadville, Pennsylvania. At the age of 15 he was
apprenticed to Abram Clark, a master millwright and builder. When Kesler was 19 he began his
own career as a master millwright. He married Emeline Parker in 1836 and both became Mormons
in 1840. In the spring of 1851, Kesler and his family migrated to Salt Lake City, Utah.
After arriving there, Kesler was set to work by Brigham Young to build mills for the
territory. He served as bishop of the Sixteenth Ward from April 7, 1856 until his death in
1899. In addition to Emeline Parker, Kesler had two other wives: he married Jane Elizabeth
Pratt in 1854 and Abigail Dow Snow in 1857, and was the father of 30 children; in 1872, both
Emeline and Abigail divorced him.
A collection of 184 items from 1852 to 1898; it consists of correspondence and journals
relating to Frederick Kesler and his duties as a master millwright and bishop of the 16th
Ward, as well as financial papers and newspaper clippings. Correspondents in the collection
include John M. Bernhisel, George Reynolds, Joseph F. Smith, and Brigham Young. A major
portion of the correspondence and manuscripts relate to the divorce between Frederick Kesler
and Jane Elizabeth Pratt Kesler and Abigail Dow Snow Kesler. The material covers the reasons
for the divorces as well as the financial compensation they would receive from Kesler per
the instructions of Brigham Young. The 58 journals written by Frederick Kesler primarily
contain notes on mills, tithing records and receipts for expenditures in the ward. A journal
written by Alexander Ott includes the names of and provisions provided to Mormon
immigrants.
Processed by Mitchell W. K. Toda, March 2002. In 2020, Gayle Richardson created the
electronic finding aid derived from a paper finding aid.
Organized in the following manner: 1. Manuscripts and correspondence; 2. Journals; 3.
Journals, financial papers, and newspaper clippings.
Existence and Location of Originals
The Huntington Library holds a microfilm copy (Mss Film 700) of the Frederick Kesler
Diaries (1857-1899), held at the University of Utah; microfilm received on May 27, 1975.
The Frederick Kesler papers form part of the Mormon File, approximately 1805-1995.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Flour mills -- History -- 19th century
Mills and mill-work -- History -- 19th century
Millwrights -- Utah
Mormon Church -- Bishops
Mormon Church -- Finance
Mormons -- Archival resources
Mormons -- Correspondence
Mormons -- Economics
Mormons -- History -- 19th century -- Sources
Mormons -- Law and legislation
Mormons -- Social conditions
Mormons -- Social life and customs
Mormons -- Utah -- History -- 19th century
Mormons -- Utah -- Salt Lake City
Utah -- Description and travel
Clippings (information artifacts) -- West (U.S.) -- 19th
century
Journals (accounts) -- West (U.S.) -- 19th century
Letters (correspondence) -- Utah -- 19th century
Bernhisel, John M. (John
Milton), 1799-1881
Kesler, Abigail Dow Snow,
1837-1907
Pratt, Jane Elizabeth
Reynolds, George,
1842-1909
Smith, Joseph F. (Joseph
Fielding), 1838-1918