BIOGRAPHY: Emeline B. (Woodward) Wells; state of Utah

Transcribed by W. David Samuelsen
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EXPIRED COPYRIGHT (1884)

REPRESENTATIVE WOMEN OF DESERET

A BOOK OF BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES TO ACCOMPANY THE PICTURE BEARING THE SAME
TITLE.

COMPILED AND WRITTEN BY AUGUSTA JOYCE CROCHERON
EMELINE B. WELLS
EDITOR OF "WOMAN'S EXPONENT."

     This lady, like most of our representative women, was born in New
England, February 29, 1828, at Petersham, Worcester County, Massachusetts. Her
maiden name was Woodward. The forefathers of her family came in 1830, settled
in and around Boston, were large landowners, and by profession were
mathematicians, surveyors, etc. Mrs. Wells' ancestry, both on the father and
mother's side, were purely of English extraction, and fought for freedom in
the Revolutionary War, as well as that of 1812, some of them being officers of
high rank. Her brothers and other relations fought in the late Civil War also.
Mrs. Wells has had an eventful history in many respects, and somewhat
romantic; were it to be published as a story and strictly true, it would be
stranger than fiction.

     In her early life she gave promise of unusual talent, her memory was
quite wonderful, storing up the many incidents and points of beauty around her
to be brought forth in after years in faithful portraiture amid far off
valleys and places then unbuilt and undiscovered. It was the expectation of
her family and friends that she would make a mark in the world and do them
honor; this was to be verified, but in a way undreamed of by them. The place
and work God had chosen for her had not in her childhood, even a name. The
child of destiny, straying alone yet not lonely, with her busy fancies finding
companionship in fields, woods and brooks, the haunts of nature in their
rudest, wildest form; listening to the songs of birds and sighing of the
forest leaves, touching with caressing hand the flowers and moss-grown rocks,
searching through shrubbery and tangled vines, or looking up through alcoves
green and dim, feasted her eyes upon the wondrous
sky where moving clouds passed on in endless changes 'neath that world, where
she was taught the home and throne of God forever are. These surroundings and
influences developed and moulded that individuality of character during her
childhood to the degree, that at eight years of age she commenced composing in
rhyme, choosing instinctively the beautiful and harmonious method of
expression which is poetry. This element cannot be possessed by anyone, old or
young, but that it casts an influence recognized at once, and men and women
gray haired now, say, that watching the thoughtful child they knew there was a
special destiny for her, undefined, but nevertheless felt as something grand
and great. So, hovered the spirit of her mission around her through her
childhood, and at ten years of age she became a member of the church choir,
happy in lifting her full heart in hymns of worship and of praise.

     How many have found sweet joy in singing; that expression of
supplication, faith and gratitude, which in any and every religion is, we
feel, true and acceptable adoration.

     In November, 1841, the Gospel was preached in her native village; and
her, mother believed and was baptized. Immediately a branch of the Church was
organized and some excitement in regard to Mormonism sprang up among the
worldly-wise and learned. Mrs. Wells' mother persuaded her to go and hear the
Mormon elders, and told her she knew it was the true Gospel that the ancient
Apostles taught, and that she had been looking forward to such a dispensation.
She was a woman of very strong mind, of practical capabilities, yet withal
very spiritual in her nature, had been for many years a staunch
Congregationalist, and had her children brought up in that church. Ministers,
lawyers, judges and influential men came with their profound learning and
logic to convince Mrs. Wells' mother that Mormonism was a delusion, but all in
vain. On the young and inexperienced daughter they expected to be able to make
an impression, and no means was left untried. Everything that could be said or
done was brought to bear, and when she had decided to receive the
ordinance of baptism all the powers of darkness seemed to conspire to hinder
it. She affirms that a power she had no knowledge of heretofore, seemed to
possess her at this momentous time to help her to withstand the intercessions
and pleadings of those who had been her friends, and who now so vigorously
sought to keep her from going down into the waters of baptism.

     On the 1st day of March, 1842, when a little group of Latter-Day Saints
was assembled to perform the ordinance of baptism on her mother's own ground,
just near her home, zealous friends sent messengers down to ask her if she was
sure she was acting of her own free will and choice, otherwise they would take
her by force and she should never lack for means of a higher education, but if
she accepted the Mormon faith and gathered at Nauvoo she must renounce not
only her friends but also all the advantages of literary culture she had so
ardently hoped to attain, and be forever disgraced. Not knowing but that it
was true that her hopes for further advancement must be resigned, she laid
them on the altar of her faith, willing to yield up her future entirely to the
will and care of her Creator. Some power potent indeed buoyed her up and she
went through this trying ordeal and though her delicate nerves were somewhat
shaken yet she told her mother and friends then what proved true afterwards,
that the crisis was past, she had renounced all she had before looked forward
to, henceforth she desired to dedicate herself entirely to the work in which
she had enlisted.

     During the year after her coming into the Church she pursued her studies
at the same school, yet she had to endure a great deal of ridicule on account
of being a Mormon, and her teacher never wearied of persuading and entreating
her to give up such foolish ideas, and resume her place among her associates.
But though she was as one alone, for there was not another in the school that
believed in the peculiar faith she had embraced, and she understood very
little herself, still she had an innate conception of the entire consecration
necessary for a Latter-Day Saint. The next year she taught a country school,
receiving her certificate as readily as any of the other young ladies; and
early in the spring of 1844, in the month of April, she went up to Nauvoo,
where she had the privilege of hearing Joseph Smith preach his last
discourses. After reaching Nauvoo she received strong testimony, not by any
spiritual manifestations, but that which convinced her reason and
intelligence.

     We cannot attempt to give in detail the changes and trials of Nauvoo,
but suffice it to say that through sickness, sorrow and severe trial she kept
the faith.

     In the winter of 1844-45, she was taught the principle of celestial
marriage by Bishop Newel K. Whitney and his wife, whose acquaintance she had
formed through having been introduced to the family by a cousin of Sister
Whitney's. This cousin was one of the company in which she had traveled to
Nauvoo, and who because of her delicate health, her youth and inexperience,
had been attracted towards her.

     She accepted the principle in its sacred phase and entered into the
order or covenant of celestial marriage with the same, purity of motive that
had influenced her in going down into the waters of baptism. The ceremony was
performed by Brigham Young in one of the upper rooms of the Bishop's house in
Nauvoo, in the evening of the 14th day of February, 1845, the only witness
being the Bishop's first wife, who not only had consented but actually urged
the matter, and gave her to her husband; and the most sincere friendship
existed forever afterward between the two, who really lived like mother and
daughter, and though so intimately associated in the same family, and
sometimes under circumstances the most trying, yet no jar or contention ever
marred their true friendship for each other. To those who doubt the fact of
women living happily together no better illustration can be given than such
practical ones as these. Here were two refined, sensitive natures in harmony
with that condition of marriage, but it was from the fact that they accepted
it from divine authority as a part of their religion, and a higher law which
would secure to them a future exaltation; never losing sight of the exalted
nature of their mission, having undertaken
to live lives of self-sacrifice and purity. The false assertion made by the
world that women of marked character and attainments would never submit to
live in the order of plural marriage is disproved by such instances as this
one. Both were women of high social attainments, and possessing superior
qualities of mind and heart.
     It is the higher nature that must be aroused to inspire women to carry
out practically this exalting, refining principle, and through this crucible
many have come forth like gold seven times purified, tried as by fire yet
without the smell upon their garments.

     Mrs. Wells received the ordinances and the blessings of the Temple with
her husband in Nauvoo, and came out in the month of February, crossing the
Mississippi River on the ice. Her mother, who had been a staunch Latter-Day
Saint from her first hearing the Gospel preached, died of hardships and
fatigue when the Saints were driven from Nauvoo.

     In Winter Quarters she taught school and came with the Bishop and his
family to the valley, leaving the Missouri River towards the last of May,
1845, and arrived in the valley early in October. On the 2nd day of November,
after, her eldest daughter was born in a wagon, during one of those cold
piercing wind and sleet storms that often occur at that season. September 23,
1850, Bishop Whitney died, leaving her a widow at twenty-two with two
children, the eldest not then two years of age, the youngest a babe five weeks
old. Many of her friends feared she would sink beneath her trials, but she
rallied those forces of her nature, which under a husband's care had never
been called into requisition, and turned to the ways and means of providing
for her little ones. Left as it were. alone, bereft and so helpless, the young
mother was like one in a dream, she had trusted to her husband so entirely,
and knew so little herself of the practical realities of life; she had not
thought he could die. He was one to lean upon, and she had looked up to him as
a little child looks up to a true loving parent with a reverence almost more
than human. To her he had shown the utmost tenderness, helping and encouraging
in times of severe trial, making every burden lighter because of the intense
sympathy of his spiritual nature. This was one of the eventful epochs of her
life. She awakened to know that for her duty must be first, and she became in
course of time accustomed to acting for herself instead of leaning upon
another.

     It was a hard lesson, but she studied it carefully, and sought earnestly
for divine help upon her efforts ; but we are simply giving a few facts and
not minute details, therefore suffice it to say after something more than two
years of widowhood she married again.

     During the Bishop's life, he frequently prophesied to her of the future
and what her work would yet be, and although she could not then imagine how
such changes could possibly be wrought, (as much on account of the condition
of the country and the circumstances of the people,) yet looking back over it
now, she realizes how prophetic his words were, arid the promises made
concerning her future have many of them been fulfilled.

     Mrs. Wells often says she was born a womans' rights advocate, inheriting
it from her mother, who was a staunch advocate for woman's emancipation, and
when left a widow with a large family, realized more fully the injustice of
the laws in regard to women, their property rights and guardianship of
children. Mrs. Wells has been the mother of six children, one son and five
daughters, and during their childhood devoted herself almost exclusively to
their care and education.

     Mrs. Wells has always had a great desire to see others' advance, and in
her home before she entered upon public duties ever sought to stimulate those
around her to efforts of development of the higher nature. She has given much
genuine encouragement to those who would shrink from criticism and would
consequently, unless aroused, bury their talents or fold them away in a
napkin. She is exceedingly frank in her nature and generous to a fault, and
possesses an admirable faculty of entertaining those with whom she is from
time to time associated. She has drawn around her people of taste,
ability and culture; the secret of her winning friends is perhaps in her
almost total forgetfulness of self, and her intense wish to make others happy.
Perhaps, among her friends few are fonder or more sincere than those who have
received both sympathy, encouragement and advice from her who has not feared
that other lights might dim her own, she has rejoiced in the progress and
victories of others as though they were her own achievements.

     It is truly wonderful to contemplate the public work accomplished by
Mrs. Wells in the comparatively brief opportunity of time since her labors
began. In the Eastern States prominent women have pursued these objects for
nearly fifty years, but the women of Utah have stood afar and alone with no
part in matters of a political nature until about thirteen years ago. They
have exercised their privileges with respect, caution and wisdom, holding
neither lightly or boastfully the freedom of the ballot. Many have read law
and studied parliamentary rules, and have on occasions of public character
endeavored to profit by observation in the presentation and discussion of such
matters.

     Mrs. Wells has traveled much among our people, speaking and assisting in
organizing, She has good executive ability and is well adapted to this kind of
work.

     In political matters she, takes great interest, and since the women of
Utah have had the ballot she has taken a prominent part in that direction and
done much active work.

     Mrs. Wells went to Washington as a delegate from the women of Utah in
January, 1879, to attend the Convention of the National Woman Suffrage
Association, accompanied by Mrs. Zina Young Williams and while there they had
the opportunity of speaking before committees of House and Senate, and also
had an audience with President Hayes and several of the leading men of the
nation on the Mormon question. They also prepared a memorial to Congress and
succeeded in getting it presented.

     In November, 1874, Mrs. Wells went into the office of the Woman's
Exponent to assist the editor, Mrs. Lula Greene Richards, a little in her
labors, and gradually grew interested in the work, and in May, 1875, her
labors became regular and constant, continuing so until in July, 1877, when
she assumed the entire responsibility, Mrs. Richards withdrawing on account of
increased domestic cares. Mrs. Wells never seems to tire of journalistic duty.

     In November, 1876, she was chosen President of the Central Grain
Committee for the storing of grain by women, against a day of famine. At the
Mass Meeting in the Theatre to protest against the Woman's Anti-Polygamic
Association she took an active part in the proceedings. In September, 1882,
Mrs. Wells went to Omaha with Mrs. Zina D. H. Young, to attend the convention
of the National Womans' Suffrage Association again. Mrs. Wells was appointed
Secretary of the Deseret Hospital Association; in fact her time is almost
constantly employed in the performance of public duties and benevolent work.
     Looking retrospectively upon the life of Emmeline B. Wells and noting
the constant upward progress she has made through the adverse circumstances
common to a pioneer life, and the establishing of a new order of religion and
social life amid the opposition and persecution of our own nation; the result
is calculated to testify strongly against the assertions made that, in our
isolation and subservience to religious authority, woman is repressed in her
abilities and privileges; for it is in that mental atmosphere which is the
very essence of Mormonism, that her's have been developed and brought into
prominence as an exemplar to the young. If in the very stronghold of Mormonism
the standard of progress is upheld by woman's hand as well as man's, the
inference is that the next generation will show a marked advance. Knowledge is
power, arid this with virtue and wisdom united, guided by inspiration,
ignorance and tyranny will alike be impotent against the growing hosts of
Israel. And, knowing this, all excellences of acquirements and attainments are
stimulated and promoted among the old and young by our leaders,
misrepresentation to the contrary notwithstanding.

     The quality of statesmanship is of high order and rare among women, but
it has been declared by the lips of prophecy that positions of power would
await the women of Zion faster than they would be qualified for them. Mrs.
Wells is by nature one of those prepared for the advent of such an era.

     And still, the songs whispered from nature to the heart of the child
chime on, and the woman repeats them in clear, sweet utterances to the world;
the intuitions of the Deity and his work she may now declare in knowledge, and
the maiden that with timid feet went down at the Gospel's call into the waters
of baptism, has become a strength, an inspiration and a guide to women in the
same path.

     President Young gave Mrs. Wells a mission to record in brief the
biographies of the most prominent women of our Church, in the Woman's
Exponent. A part of this work has already been performed, which is an
important addition to our home literature.