Harriet Amelia Folsom Young, Plural-Wife of Mormon Leader Brigham Young

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Brigham_Young%27s_wives

Considered to be Brigham's favorite wife. They would sit by themselves at dinner, while the rest of his wives and children would eat together

Harriet Amelia Folsom Young, daughter of William H. and Zerviah Clark Folsom, was born August 23, 1838, in Buffalo, New York. Her father and family embraced the Mormon doctrine in 1841, and removed to Nauvoo, Illinois soon afterwards. In the year 1846, when the Saints were d riven from that state, they moved to Keokuk, Iowa, and afterwards went to Council Bluffs. Early in 1860 they started across the plains for the Valley of the Great Salt Lake arriving in October of that year. Amelia was then twenty-two years of age, tall and queenly in appearance . She was of fair complexion. She became acquainted with President Brigham Young in 1860, bu t was not married to him until January 24, 1863.

Shortly before President Young's death he decided to erect an official residence w here he could entertain people who came to see him. The family understood that Amelia would l ive there and was happy that President Young had chosen her to assume the responsibilities o f all social affairs. Before the residence was completed President Young passed away. It was finished by President John Taylor and named the Gardo House. Harriet Amelia Folsom Young passed away December 11, 1910.

In the Brigham Young room in the Pioneer Memorial Museum hangs a beautifully tinted likeness of Amelia Folsom Young. There is also a case in which are displayed some of her personal belongings. She was a woman of exquisite taste. Among these articles are five lovely's hawl's; a large black lace, a red silk embroidered and fringed; a white silk, also embroidered , and two small lace shawls. There are collars of intricate lace and bead work; elegant fan s and other accessories. Several dresses which belonged to her are on display, notably a light blue taffeta trimmed with cream colored lace which was worn by her at the Inaugural Ball honoring President Ulysses S. Grant in 1869. The dress contains 16 yards of silk, bought in France, and 125 yards of lace at $5.00 a yard. Cost of dress approximately $700. Another lovely dress is a two-piece black silk brocade with pink silk lining, trimmed with black beads. Th e silk was manufactured in Utah.

BIOGRAPHY: Our Pioneer Heritage, Volume 1, Brigham Young His Wives and Family

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http://brighamyoungfamily.org/descendants/b290.htm