Elvira Eliza Strang

Elvira Eliza Field was born to Reuben Field and Eliza Granger She was married to James Strang and became is first Plural Wife..She traveled with James Strang as his nephew and private secretary under the name Charlie J Douglass. She bore 4 children in this union (Charlie J(1851), Clement J(1854), Eva(1853), and James J(1857)) She resided on Beaver Island until the Assassination of James J Strang from thence she was forced to leave with her 3 small children in 1856 and gave birth to James J in 1957. In 1860 Elvira was stricken with a supposedly fatal illness and gave her 4 children to firends to care for...The youngest was adopted by David Grier in Charlotte and his name was changed to Charlie J Grier, however the oldest 3 were returned to her after she recovered. In 1865 Elvira met a widower with 5 children by the name of John Baker and they were married on Nov 26, 1865. she bore 2 daughters with him named Emma and May....She lived as the wife of John Baker for 45 yrs and was mother to 5 children, 21 grandchildren and 12 great grand children...

James J. Strang's second wife, a school teacher named Elvira Field, was a national advocate for the rights of women, and founder of the earliest female sororities. She even implemented a style of pants that preceded the liberating Amelia Bloomer pants, consistent with Mormon beliefs to have "plainness in dress" and avoid the "fashion of the world" (Evening and Morning Star, June 1832; and Elders' Journal, August 1838). Latter Day Saint scriptures say not to have "fine clothing" or "costly apparel", but to "let all thy garments be plain." (2 Nephi 28:13, Alma 5:53, and D&C 42:40).* Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Nov 12 2021, 17:23:22 UTC