Truman Osborn Angell

Wikipedia Biographical Summary:

"...Truman Osborn Angell (June 5, 1810 – October 16, 1887) served many years as Church Architect for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and was a member of the vanguard company of Mormon pioneers, entering the Salt Lake Valley on July 24, 1847. He designed the Salt Lake Temple, the Lion House, the Beehive House, the Utah Territorial Statehouse, the St. George Utah Temple, and many other important public buildings. His modifications to the Salt Lake Tabernacle are credited with perfecting the acoustics for which the building is famous.

Angell was born on June 5, 1810 in Providence, Rhode Island, the third son of seven children born to James W. Angell and Phebe Morton. Between the ages of 17 and 19, he learned the carpenter and joiner's trade from a man in the neighborhood of his family home. However, due to problems that his mother had with his father, at age 21 he moved with his mother to China, New York (near her family), where he met and married Polly Johnson...."

SOURCE: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Truman_Angell

Truman O. Angell Journal:

"...I, Truman O. Angell, am the third son of James W. Angell, who was the son of Solomon Angell; all natives of the state of Rhode Island. My mother's name is Phebe, who was the daughter of Abraham Morton. I was born on the 5th day of June, 1810, in the town of North Providence, state of Rhode Island; and lived in the vicinity of my birthplace until I arrived at the age of twenty-one.

While yet but a stripling of 5 or 6 years, family difficulties occurred, which caused a separation of my parents; and thus having no father to restrain me, I pleased myself; and did many things I ought not. My mother having seven children to support, and nothing but her hands for her fortune, it can readily be seen that means of commencing an education were very limited; what I have received was gotten in winter schools, and very little at that.

When I was about 9 years old, my father returned to his family; but I was shortly after sent from home, and returned only at distant intervals. At the age of 17, I commenced learning the carpenter and joiner's trade under the instruction of a man in the neighborhood of my father's residence; and continued with him until I was 19. About this time I first felt an earnest desire to become a subject of Christianity, and for some months made an earnest supplication before the Lord; and from then on, my mischievous life and shortcomings were laid aside; and I have ever since tried to do what was right; feeling that God required it. I joined the Freewill-Baptist Church, and always retained a good standing while among them.

Sympathy for my mother's sufferings, in consequence of the conduct of my father toward her, caused me at the age of 21 to remove her to myself among her friends. Her trials were truly great; she almost sank under them; but my sympathies were with her. The following fall I journeyed, taking my mother with me to her kinfolks, brothers and sisters who resided at China, Genesee County, New York State, where I settled, and soon after I married Polly Johnson. The following January, being nearly 23 years old, I, with my mother and wife embraced the Gospel of Jesus Christ as taught by the Latter-day Saints, through instrumentality of Elders Aaron Lyons and Leonard Rich. And five weeks thereafter, I was ordained an Elder under the hands of Elder Lyons. The spring following I went on a mission in company with Elder Joseph Holbrook; we were absent about 9 weeks; traveled about five hundred miles, preaching daily; and went as far east as Rhode Island. In the month of July following, I, in company with my wife, moved to a place about 45 miles eastward called Lima; my mother preferred to stay behind. At this last place our first child was born, being a daughter; and but a short time after, the mournful intelligence burnt upon us of the persecutions against the brethren in the state of Missouri; and their extermination from Jackson County of that state..."

"...My hope and faith were in a future state. I was one of the Pioneers in coming to and making a home for the Saints in Utah in 1847, and returned to Winter Quarters. The following winter I made a fitout and took my family, in the spring, and started for our new home, arriving in Utah in the fall with an ox team, a distance of over 1000 miles, moving my sick wife on her back every rod of the way, having two children with us, having buried three in Winter Quarters. Soon after my arrival I was chosen architect for the Church--the former architect, William Weeks, having deserted and left for the east, thereby taking himself from the duties of the said office--which position I hold to this day. (1883)

Previous to my mission to Europe, Susan Eliza Savage and Mary Ann Johnson were sealed to me. I had been absent about 13 months when I was called home; my presence being needed upon the temple..."

SOURCE: Truman O. Angell Journal. Retrieved from http://www.boap.org/LDS/Early-Saints/TAngell.html

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Truman_O._Angell

• Residence: Great Salt Lake county, Great Salt Lake, Utah Territory - 1850
• Residence: 13th Ward Of Great Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, United States - 1860
• Residence: 13th Ward Of Great Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah Territory, United States - 1860
• Residence: Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, United States - 1880