Richard Slater

Richard Slater (1849 - 1909), son of Richard Slater (1811 - 1893) and Ann Corbridge (1812 - 1902), was born 12 October 1849 at Winter Quarters, Douglas County, Nebraska Territory. He died at the age of 59 on 27 May 1909 at Slaterville, Weber County, Utah. He married Sarah Allen (1864 - 1945) on 13 May 1885.

Children of Richard and Sarah Slater

1. Phillip Allen Slater (1886 - 1945)
2. Eugene Slater (1888 - 1971)
3. Lola Slater (1891 - 1979)
4. Beulah Florence Slater (1897 - 1993)

Biographical Sketch

Richard Slater was two years old when his family came to the Salt Lake Valley with the Thomas C.D. Howell Company arriving in September 1852. They were a prominent family of Slaterville, Utah. It was named for his father.

Richard was married to Sarah Jane Allen, daughter of Joseph Smith and Elizabeth Hodson Allen. Richard filed for a divorce in 1901 complaining that his wife "has transferred her affections to one Walter Clark, formerly and employee on the Slater farm.."

After the divorce he was never quite the same. On 27 May 1909 he was found hanging by a rope from a rafter in the barn on the family farm. Despondency and ill health due to his continued brooding over family affairs are said to be the cause of the suicide.

Sources

• "Slaterville Citizen Takes His Own Life"
• "Mr. Slater Now Sues"
• "Sensational Divorce Suit'