Feramorz Little facts for kids

Feramorz Little (born June 14, 1820 – died August 14, 1887) was an important leader and businessman in Salt Lake City, Utah Territory. He served as the mayor of Salt Lake City from 1876 to 1882.

Early Life and Family

Feramorz Little was born in Aurelius, New York. His parents were James Little and Susan Young. Susan was the sister of Brigham Young, a well-known leader. When Feramorz was young, his mother joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and moved to Nauvoo, Illinois. Feramorz spent time learning different jobs and skills, much like his Uncle Brigham. Later, Feramorz and some friends decided to travel further west.

Starting a Business

Feramorz Little tried farming for a while. He then moved to St. Louis, Missouri, where he became a successful merchant. He had a good reputation, which allowed him to get credit to buy more goods for his store. In 1843, he visited his family in Nauvoo. He married one of the Decker sisters there and then returned to his store in St. Louis.

In 1850, Feramorz followed his family, who had moved with Brigham Young to the Salt Lake Valley. He originally planned to go to California. However, he stopped in Salt Lake City and decided to stay there. He became a successful trader in the new settlement. Besides being Brigham Young's nephew, he also became his brother-in-law.

Building Utah Territory

Feramorz Little and Brigham Young worked together on several projects in Utah Territory. They owned a gristmill, which is a mill that grinds grain into flour, in an area now known as Sugarhouse. Feramorz also partnered with others to own five lumber mills near the Wasatch Mountains in Salt Lake Valley.

He was also a subcontractor, helping to carry mail between Salt Lake City and areas west of Kansas City. Feramorz Little was the first person to build a canal in Utah. He also helped build much of the telegraph line that connected Salt Lake City to places in the east. He even built the first territorial prison, which later became the Utah State Prison. This prison was eventually torn down, and Sugarhouse Park now stands where it once was.

Feramorz Little played a big part in building the First Transcontinental Railroad. He was a major subcontractor for this huge project. After the railroad was finished, he served on the boards of various railroad companies and banks in Utah. After living in Utah Territory for a few years, Feramorz Little became a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).

Mayor of Salt Lake City

Besides his many business ventures, Feramorz Little was elected mayor of Salt Lake City three times in a row. He served from 1876 to 1882. He was elected as a member of the People's Party, which was supported by the LDS Church. In 1880, while he was mayor, Feramorz Little became a member of the LDS Church's Council of Fifty.

Travels and Missionary Work

In 1872, Feramorz Little served as a missionary for the LDS Church in New York. He visited and taught some of his relatives there. Around this time, he also traveled with a group of LDS Church leaders to New York. From there, they sailed to Europe and toured the continent. Their journey continued to Palestine, where they held a special ceremony to rededicate the land. Feramorz's oldest daughter and Eliza R. Snow, another important leader in the LDS Church, also joined this trip.

Later Life and Death

Feramorz Little passed away in Salt Lake City from typhoid fever. He was buried in the Salt Lake City Cemetery.

Images for kids

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  Feramorz Little, around the 1850s