BIOGRAPHY: Zina (Young) Williams; 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 ZINA Y. WILLIAMS
DAUGHTER OF BRIGHAM YOUNG.

     It would be strange indeed, if after the life and labors of Brigham
Young, a work of this character should appear, lacking the name and record of
his descendants. The sons of noble men have greater opportunities of adding
lustre to their father's name by reason of the advantages which sons possess
over daughters; yet among our people, women have their acknowledged province
in which they may distinguish themselves, in which their position is not
borrowed from the other sex, or an infringement upon them; and yet may adorn
the memory of even Brigham Young. Such a daughter is Zina Y. Williams, the
original of this sketch. Born in plural or celestial marriage, and with an
understanding of this condition, as much as any young girl can possess, a wife
in the same order of marriage.

     Some have said, "Let us see the workings of this system, let us see bow
the next generation will receive it." The time has come when they can see, and
learn that those who understand it best fear it least. The words of the
daughter herself, it seems to me, should go farther in effect than mine could
for her. Here is a true picture in the home life of the earliest advocates of
that ancient principle, restored through Joseph Smith, the prophet. I have
known Mrs. Williams beneath her father's roof and in her own married home,
intimately, for eighteen years, and knew the union and love of the band of
sisters.

     "I was born April 3rd, 1850, in Salt Lake City. My mother, Zina H.
Young, was made glad by my presence, her only daughter. My father, President
Brigham Young, made me welcome; though he was the father of many others he was
as much pleased as many men are over their only girl. My childhood was clouded
with sickness, and one of my earliest recollections is of my loving mother
holding me in her arms, singing a sweet song; with the moonlight streaming
over me and gazing out upon the full moon I sank to sleep, soothed from
suffering by her magic care. I was the pet of my two brothers and of all my
mother's friends. I knew nothing of want or care till the year of famine,
(1856) which gave me a faint idea of what want was. (All through the Territory
families were on short rations.)

     "My father's family lived in a world of their own, there being ten girls
with not more than four years' difference in their ages. Our father
affectionately called us his 'big ten,' and nowhere on the earth could be
found a happier, merrier set of children. We attended school and were
instructed in music and dancing on our own premises. Our mothers taught us to
respect each other's rights, as they always set the example by treating one
another according to the golden rule. A person entering the room where we were
assembled would be at a loss to tell which were the own children of the
sisters present. We carried out the proverb - 'Love thy neighbor as thyself,'
literally. When the memorable exodus of 1858 took place, my mother was the
first woman who left Salt Lake City. In company with another of my father's
wives, Lucy B., (as she is called,) we started south. This was my first trip
from home, it seemed like a pleasure trip to me and it was a matter of
surprise that my dear mother and auntie were not as much delighted with the
change as we children were; but the subsequent discomforts we were subjected
to and our lonely hours spent away from our dearly loved sisters caused many a
heart pang and we began to realize something of the sacrifices made by our
people when our enemies came and invaded our homes. My mother was the last of
father's family to leave Provo, after the return of the people to their former
homes. On our arrival, after a year's absence, father asked mother to
take charge of four of his little ones whose mother was dead. She consented,
and this event entirely changed my after life; from being the pet and only
child I now had to share with these motherless children. It was a trial in
many ways, but my precious mother taught me to be unselfish and thank God for
all His blessings and not complain, and I am thankful to say, following her
advice without once alluding to the fact that my mother was not their own.
Thus it proved to be the best lesson of my life, and a great blessing.

     "My life flowed on in peaceful current, going to school, but going upon
the stage when quite young greatly impaired my health. I married when
eighteen. My husband, Thomas Williams, had been in my father's employ in his
office, for several years; then in the Theatre, where I saw him frequently,
but, as he was much older than I, it never occurred to me to fall in love with
him. 'None knew him but to love him, the bard wrote, which is true of my
husband. I was his second wife, and here let me testify that in entering into
the order of plural marriage, both my husband and myself did so from the
purest and holiest motives. For six years I was his loving wife, bearing two
sons, Sterling and Thomas Edgar. In July, 1873, my dear husband was called
home. None but those who are called upon to pass through similar circumstances
Can know the sorrow and anguish it is to part from a loving, noble husband and
father.

     "My time now was given principally to my Church duties and to the
support of my dear children. In all my trials my dear mother was my comfort
and support. By the advice of my father, I went to Sevier County and took up a
quarter section of land. I went to St. George at the completion of the Temple,
and met many dear friends and relatives; my father was there, and those who
were present, will, I believe, never forget the heavenly intercourse enjoyed
by the Saints while thus convened. Shortly after our return to the city, our
honored father was stricken down with his last sickness. Never was there a
more solemn scene than that witnessed at his death, his family were there,
also the head men of the Church. Physicians with their futile skill were
standing round, the faith and anxiety of the whole Church were centered around
that dying form and departing soul of God's Prophet at that trying hour. His
body unconscious now to pain, was there before us, but his noble spirit
already saw behind the veil which screens from us the immortal spheres.
'Joseph! Joseph!' were his last words, and when he breathed his last his face
became radiant as if molten sunbeams had been poured into his veins, giving
him an unearthly and celestial appearance never to be forgotten by those who
surrounded his dying cough. After a settlement of our father's estate I
removed to Provo in order to give my dear children and myself the advantages
of attending the Brigham Young Academy. In January of this same year,
President Taylor sent me, in company with Sister Emmeline B. Wells, to visit
the Woman's Suffrage Convention held in Washington. After my return I began
teaching in the Brigham Young Academy, taking charge of the young ladies and
organizing a work class; also the primary department in which position I have
been actively engaged ever since. The Brigham Young Academy was endowed by
inspiration by him whose name it bears. Professor Karl G. Maeser was called to
act as principal at the commencement, and when he asked for instruction from
its noble founder, he received only this: 'Ask God to guide you in all things
and carry it on under His directions; this is all I have to say.'

     "From that time Professor Maeser has faithfully lived to fulfill the
wishes of its founder. How he has succeeded is demonstrated every year by the
hundreds of young men and women who there receive for the first time a
knowledge and testimony of this Gospel. Too much praise cannot be bestowed
upon the Honorable Board: President A. 0. Smoot, Harvey Cluff, Wilson H.
Dusenberry, Bishop Myron Tanner, Bishop Harrington, Bishop Bringhurst and
Sister Coray for their energy and labor to make this school all that Brigham
Young intended it should be.

     "In the deeds bestowing a grant upon this institution it is plainly
stated that the young men be taught mechanism, and the young ladies domestic
duties. In accordance with this a young ladies' department has been organized
and we have endeavored to carry out this peculiar feature desired by President
Young, my beloved father.

     "I have occupied the position. of advisor and director to the young
ladies for the past four years. I have now the advantage of a fine large room
built expressly for this branch of education. Was called to preside over the
Primary Associations of Provo, am a Counselor to the President of the Young
Ladies' Mutual Improvement Association also; and an officer in the Provo Silk
Association."

     While living in Salt Lake City, Mrs. Zina Y. Williams was one of the
committee superintending the decoration of the great Tabernacle. Large classes
were taught artificial flower making, and thousands of yards of festoons and
hanging baskets, interspersed with appropriate mottoes and flags made the vast
ceiling a bower of beauty for many months. She has taught decorative work of
different kinds in several towns of our Territory, possessing a special gift
in this direction.

     An energetic spiritual laborer, a loving daughter and faithful wife and
mother, she has also a wide circle of sincere friends. She was the first of
President Young's daughters to manifest prominently in the face of opposition,
her willingness to. unite with the associations organized for the repression
of extravagance in dress, table expenditure and frivolity, and for the
cultivation of spiritual knowledge, and mutual improvement. These meetings
were regarded with aversion and even ridicule, by many, as tending to bring
women into too great publicity. This proved to be an incorrect idea. Sister
Williams was one of the earliest spiritual laborers and has never faltered or
deviated from her line of duty. President Young has other daughters also, who
have later become officers and actively interested in the Women's
Organizations among this people; and they will without doubt, develop many of
those abilities, which, combined and made subservient to the will of God made
the name of Brigham Young immortal in history.