Esther Charlotte Emily Weisbrodt Francis facts for kids
Esther Charlotte Emily Weisbrodt Francis (born June 24, 1836 – died February 21, 1913) was an amazing woman from the 1800s. She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a true pioneer.
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Early Life in Europe
Esther Charlotte Emily Weisbrodt was born in Turin, Italy. Her parents, Samuel David and Emily Weisbrodt, were from Saxony, Germany. They moved to Italy because her father worked for the German Consulate. This job helped Esther get a special education and training.
She learned a lot, similar to what you'd learn in a junior college today. She even taught at a school for women in Italy. Esther was very smart; she could speak and write in four languages: German, French, Italian, and English. She was also a talented musician and an expert in mathematics.
Joining the Church and Marriage
Esther learned about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from a missionary named Samuel Francis. She decided to join the church and was baptized. Because of difficulties and challenges she faced in Turin after joining the church, she had to leave.
She moved to Geneva, Switzerland, which was the main office for the Swiss Mission at the time. There, she met Samuel Francis again, and they were married on July 1, 1857. About a year later, they moved to England, where Samuel continued his missionary work until 1861.
Moving to the United States
In May 1861, Esther and Samuel, along with their two young children, Samuel and Joseph, traveled from England to the United States. They crossed the plains and arrived in Salt Lake City in September of that year.
In 1863, the family moved to Morgan, Utah Territory. Life there was tough for early pioneers, but Esther faced these challenges while raising ten children.
A Pioneer Woman's Contributions
Esther was always very active in her community. She worked as a midwife, helping mothers with their babies. She also taught mathematics, language, and music at the first school in Morgan.
Her skills were very helpful to her neighbors and the community. She translated mail for people who didn't speak English and even acted as an interpreter for the court. Because she was so good at math, especially calculus, many people asked for her help. She could figure out how much hay was in a stack, how much grain was in a bin, or how many acres of land someone owned.
Esther also helped early surveyors by calculating the correct size for land lots and sections. She even helped plan and lay out the streets and blocks of Morgan City. Because of all her amazing contributions, a mountain peak was named in her honor!
Francis Peak
One of the highest peaks in the Wasatch Mountains, located west of Morgan Valley, is called "Francis Peak". This mountain is often covered in snow and shines brightly in the sun. At night, two lights make it glow, like a lighthouse in the sky that can be seen for many miles.
Today, Francis Peak is home to a radar station run by the National Guard. This station helps guide air traffic in the Great Basin region.
Inside the station's main building, there's a special plaque with a picture of Esther C. E. Francis. It says:
"History and local tradition during the past century verifies that Francis Peak was named in honor of Esther Charlotte Emily Weisbrodt Francis, an early pioneer woman of Morgan, Utah".
In 1995, the Morgan County Historical Society placed a granite and bronze marker outside the radar station. It reads:
"FRANCIS PEAK Elevation 9515' Named in honor of Esther Charlotte Emily Weisbrodt Francis. One of many early pioneer women who contributed to the colonization of Morgan Valley. Her expert knowledge of mathematics, especially calculus, drew many to seek her help. She assisted early surveyors and also helped lay out Morgan City into blocks, lots, and streets. Affluent (sic) in four languages, she served as a translator for immigrants and an interpreter for the court. She was a midwife and also one of Morgan's early school teachers. Esther is an example of early pioneer women in our area. ESTHER FRANCIS 1836 - 1913".
Death
Esther Francis passed away at her home in Morgan, Utah, when she was 77 years old. She was buried in the local cemetery.
