Louie B. Felt facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Louie B. Felt |
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| 1st General President of the Primary | |
| June 19, 1880 – October 6, 1925 | |
| Called by | John Taylor |
| Successor | May Anderson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Louie Bouton May 5, 1850 South Norwalk, Connecticut, United States |
| Died | February 13, 1928 (aged 77) Salt Lake City, Utah, United States |
| Resting place | Salt Lake City Cemetery 40°46′37″N 111°51′29″W / 40.777°N 111.858°W |
| Spouse(s) | Joseph Felt |
| Parents | Joseph Bouton Mary Rebecca Barto |
Sarah Louise "Louie" Bouton Felt (born May 5, 1850 – died February 13, 1928) was a very important leader for children. She was the first general president of the Primary organization. This is a children's group of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served in this role for a very long time, from 1880 to 1925. That's longer than any other Primary president!
Louie Bouton was born in South Norwalk, Connecticut. Her family joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In 1866, they moved to Utah Territory. There, Louie met Joseph Felt, and they got married. Louie was unable to have her own children. However, she lovingly helped raise many children in her family. In 1880, Louie Felt was chosen to lead the Primary. She helped the Primary raise money for good causes. They helped publish The Children's Friend magazine. They also helped build and run the LDS Children's Convalescent Home and Day Nursery. Louie Felt learned about new ways to teach children. She used her knowledge to improve Primary lessons. She divided children into age groups. Lessons included fun stories, crafts, and games.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Louie Bouton was born on May 5, 1850. Her hometown was South Norwalk, Connecticut. She was the third child of Joseph Bouton and Mary Rebecca Barto. Her parents had become members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In 1864, her family started a journey to Utah Territory. They wanted to join other members of their church. However, their belongings were destroyed in a fire. So, they had to wait to travel.
In 1866, they finally made it to Utah. On the way, Louie met Joseph H. Felt in Omaha. They were married in Salt Lake City on December 24, 1866.
Life in Utah
In 1867, Louie and Joseph Felt were asked to move to Muddy River. They built their own home there. But the area was very remote and had harsh weather. So, they returned to Salt Lake City in 1869. In 1872, Louie used money she inherited to buy a house.
Louie became good friends with Lillie Tuckett Freeze. Lillie and Mary Ann Freeze helped Louie grow spiritually. Louie was chosen to be a leader in the young women's organization. She also became her local church's Primary president in 1878. Louie was unable to have her own children. However, she was very devoted to her husband and his children. She helped care for and raise many children in her family. Joseph Felt traveled often for his work. He was a salesman for ZCMI. Joseph Felt passed away in 1907.
Leading the Primary Association
In May 1880, Louie Felt was asked to be the first general president of the Primary. This request came from important church leaders like Eliza R. Snow. She was officially appointed in June 1880. This happened at a special celebration. At first, Louie was not very involved in leading the Primary. But after Eliza R. Snow died in 1887, Louie took a more active role. She led the first Primary general conference in 1889.
Growing the Primary
Not all church areas had Primary classes. Those that did sometimes had low attendance. Louie Felt visited Primaries when she was invited. She used her husband's money to pay for her travel. In 1888, Louie Felt was officially supported as the General Primary President. Lillie Tuckett Freeze became her first helper.
Louie Felt and May Anderson learned about a new way of teaching called kindergarten in 1895. They used this knowledge to teach a special class. They divided children into three age groups. This helped more children attend and behave better. Louie suggested other Primaries do the same. The Primary leaders made this a recommendation in 1898. Later, Louie made even more divisions. Lessons included fun stories, crafts, and games.
Louie was often not in good health. Traveling was hard for her. May Anderson often helped care for Louie when she was sick. Louie later made May Anderson the secretary for the Primary board. May was very good at organizing things. Louie was a wonderful and inspiring leader. In 1889, Louie held the first meeting to train Primary leaders.
The Children's Friend Magazine
The church leaders first said no to a Primary magazine. They thought it would be too expensive. Louie Felt asked a children's book writer to publish a magazine. But it only lasted for a few issues. In 1901, church president Joseph F. Smith approved a Primary magazine. He said it could be published if it didn't create debt. Louie borrowed money to publish the first issues. She even used her home as a guarantee for the loan. Louie went ahead with the magazine. The Children's Friend magazine was a success. It helped teachers with information and lessons. The magazine earned enough money to pay for itself in the first year.
Helping Children and Communities
In 1902, the Primary leaders held a conference. It was for local Primary officers. They started holding these conferences every year. In 1913, they held a six-week training for 130 women. These women learned about games, dances, and health lessons for children.
In 1917, the Primary worked with the Red Cross. They helped with the war effort. They provided supplies like linens. Primary classes stopped meeting during the 1918 flu pandemic. When they started meeting again, they raised over $4,000. This money helped people in Armenia, Syria, and Europe.
In 1921, May Anderson and Louie Felt visited hospitals. They wanted to learn the best ways to care for children. They were in charge of the LDS Children's Convalescent Home and Day Nursery. It opened on May 11, 1922. Louie also started annual reports from local groups. She created the Primary Annual Fund in 1902. She helped spread Primary groups to many areas of the church.
On October 6, 1925, Louie Felt stepped down as Primary president. Her health was failing. Her close friend, May Anderson, took her place. Louie Felt passed away in Salt Lake City in 1928.
Images for kids
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Louise Felt (right), and fellow church leader May Anderson (left), who were dedicated friends and companions. Anderson served on the Primary Board with Felt was her caregiver during times of ill health.
See also
- Clara W. Beebe
- Matilda M. Barratt
