David King Udall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids David King Udall |
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|---|---|
 |
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| Arizona Territorial Legislature | |
| In office | |
| 1899 | |
| Political party | Republican |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 7, 1851 St. Louis, Missouri, United States |
| Died | February 18, 1938 (aged 86) St. Johns, Arizona, United States |
| Resting place | Saint Johns Cemetery 34°30′52″N 109°22′19″W / 34.5144°N 109.3720°W |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Parents | David Udall Eliza King |
David King Udall, Sr. (born September 7, 1851 – died February 18, 1938) was an important American politician. He served in the Arizona Territorial Legislature. He is also known as the founder of the well-known Udall political family. Many of his descendants have become important figures in American politics.
Contents
Early Life and Moving West
David King Udall was born in St. Louis, Missouri. His parents, David Udall and Eliza King, had moved to the United States from England that same year. In 1852, when David was a baby, his family traveled along the Mormon Trail to Utah. They settled in a town called Nephi, Utah.
Childhood in Utah
David spent his childhood helping on the family farm. As a teenager, he worked for a short time building the Union Pacific Railroad. This railroad later became part of the First transcontinental railroad, which connected the eastern and western parts of the United States.
Starting a Family and Moving to Arizona
In 1875, David Udall married his first wife, Eliza Luella Stewart. Soon after, he was asked by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) to serve a mission in England. He stayed there until 1877.
Becoming a Community Leader
In 1880, while living in Nephi, Udall was asked to become a Mormon bishop in St. Johns, Arizona. At that time, St. Johns was a small town with mostly Hispanic Catholic residents. After moving his family there, Udall bought land and worked to help more Mormon families settle in the area.
Legal Challenges and Public Service
In 1882, Udall married a second wife, Ida Frances Hunt. She was the granddaughter of Jefferson Hunt. Around this time, the U.S. Congress passed a law called the Edmunds Act. This law aimed to stop certain marriage practices that were common among some Latter-day Saints at the time.
Imprisonment and Pardon
In 1884, Udall faced legal challenges related to his family life. He was not convicted at first because his second wife lived in another town. Prosecutors tried again, and in 1885, he was found guilty of making a false statement about a land claim. He spent three months in a federal prison in Detroit, Michigan. However, on December 12, 1885, President Grover Cleveland gave him a full pardon. This meant his conviction was officially forgiven.
Later Years and Political Career
In 1887, Udall was appointed to a higher leadership position in the LDS Church called a Stake president. He held this important role for 35 years. During this time, he also managed several businesses.
Serving in Government
From 1899 to 1900, David Udall represented Apache County in the Arizona Territorial Senate. He was elected as a member of the Republican Party.
Continued Family Life
In 1903, he quietly married Mary Ann Linton. She was the widow of John Hamilton Morgan, who had served in the Utah Territorial Legislature. This marriage was different from the LDS Church's new rules about marriage that were put in place in 1890. The person who performed the ceremony, Matthias F. Cowley, later lost his church position. David Udall was not punished by the church, but he had to stop living as husband and wife with Mary. However, he continued to support her and her children financially until they grew up.
In 1906, Udall and others faced more legal challenges related to their family practices. They went to Prescott, Arizona, and paid fines of $100.
Temple President
From 1927 to 1934, he served as the president of the Mesa Arizona Temple for the LDS Church.
His wives, Ida and Eliza, passed away before him in 1915 and 1937. David King Udall died in 1938 in St. Johns, Arizona.
A Political Legacy
David Udall's children and grandchildren continued his legacy of public service. His children included two state supreme court justices and a mayor of Phoenix. His grandchildren, Stewart Udall and Morris Udall, both became important members of the U.S. Congress from Arizona. Stewart Udall also served as the Secretary of Interior from 1961 to 1969. His great-grandson, Tom Udall, represented New Mexico in the United States Senate from 2009 to 2021.
Works
- Full text online.
See also
- William J. Flake
- List of people pardoned or granted clemency by the president of the United States
