Biography
Lucy Bigelow and sister Mary Jane were both plural wives to the famous Mormon leader, Brigham Young (1801-1877). Lucy bore him three chilren.
Early Years
Her parents joined the Church in April 1838 , while she was but a child of 8 years. She was baptized and moved with her family to Hancock County, Illinois, where she passed through the mobbings, and hardships in common with the rest of the members of the Church. As a faithful member of the Church she attended the dedication of the Nauvoo Temple. The family left Nauvoo at the time of the general exodus of the people.
Exodus to Utah
When about seventeen years of age she was married to President Brigham Young in March, 1 847, and arrived in the Valley with members of the family in September, 1848.
Lucy moved into the Lion House in 1855, before it was finished and remained there until President Young moved her and her family to St. George. Lucy Bigelow Young, lived from 1870-1891 in a house purchased for her by him.
Lion House
The Lion House was the Brigham Young home in Salt Lake City for his wives and 55 children. The 2020 History of the Church - Saints Vol II gives a vivid description of family life there.
In Salt Lake City Brigham built two majestic homes just a block south from the Mormon Tabernacle, the first was called Lion House and the second was Bee Hive. In these two home would reside the vast majority of his family. The house had large social rooms downstairs to host major family communal activities.
Built in 1856 by Brigham Young, Lion House derives its name from the stone lion statue resting over the front entrance. "Lion of the Lord" was also a nickname of Brigham Young, who served as President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1847 until his death in 1877.
The solid construction of both buildings gives witness to Brigham's vast experience as a carpenter and cabinet-maker.
Today the bottom floor of the Lion House is a functional, cafeteria-style restaurant called "The Lion House Pantry" which is open to the public. It is located adjacent to the LDS church's main headquarters and heavily-visited Temple Square, and therefore serves many of the employees and visitors there each day.
Utah Temple Work
Lucy was a major figure in the dedication and opening of the St. George and Manti Temples of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A daughter and grandchildren received wide acclaim: Susa Young Gates, a close associate of Susan B. Anthony and women's rights; and, Emma Lucy Gates Bowen, a world renown opera singer, Leah D. Widtsoe, author and nutritionist; B. Cecil Gates, composer.
Marriage & Family
Lucy Bigelow (1830-1905), Her parents were earnest followers of the Mormon Church and were heavily persecuted in IL and by 1850 were established in Utah. Lucy and her older sister, Mary Jane Bigelow (1827-1868), became wives of Brigham Young. Mary Jane obtained a divorce and married again, but Lucy remained a devoted wife to Brigham. Lucy married Brigham Young, son of John and Abigail (Howe) Young, on 20 March 1847 - the same day as did her older sister. Brigham was born on 0l June 1801 at Whitingham, Windham, VT and died 29 August 1877 at Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, UT and is buried there. Brigham had been President of the Latter Day Saints (Mormon) Church and Governor of Utah Territory. Lucy died on 03 February 1905 at Salt Lake.
- Eudora Lovina Young (1852-1921) - md 1) Moreland Dunford in 1871 (then divorced), md 2) Wilford Woodruff (4th President of LDS Church (then divorced) md 3) Albert Hagan.
- Susan Amelia Young (1856-1933) - A daughter and grandchildren from this union would receive wide acclaim: Susa Young Gates, a close associate of Susan B. Anthony and women's rights; and, Emma Lucy Gates Bowen, a world renown opera singer, Leah D. Widtsoe, author and nutritionist and wife of LDS Apostle Widtsoe; B. Cecil Gates, composer.
- Rhoda Mabel Young (1863-1950) -
Children
Siblings
References
