David K. Udall papers
David Udall family tree
Collection area: Political Affairs
Collection dates: 1847-1988
The strengths of this collection consists of the rich family correspondence, especially with Pearl Udall Nelson; biographical and genealogical information about the Udalls; and the Mormon settlement of Saint Johns, Arizona. David K. Udall is substantially portrayed in his mission diaries, in his trial and imprisonment, and in his business activities.
There is less documentation on his life before 1880 and after 1930, on his roles as President of the Arizona Temple, as developer of schools and roads, as legislator, and as voice for his autobiography. There is little information on the endeavors of Ella and Ida Udall, and on the lives of many family members. There are few photographs of either family gatherings or of scenes from Apache County.
David King Udall was born on September 7, 1851 in Saint Louis, Missouri, as his parents emigrated to Utah from their native England. He grew up in Nephi, and married Eliza Luella Stewart (1855-1937, known as Ella) of Kanab. He then took up his first mission for the Mormon Church by laboring in England from 1875 to 1877. Returning to Utah, he moved to Kanab in 1878 where he engaged in business with his wife's family.
Ordained a Bishop in June 1880, he was called to lead a colony of Mormons to Saint Johns, a small settlement of Americans and New Mexican Hispanics in northeastern Arizona Territory. There he engaged in a wide variety of activities to provide for the development of the community and his homestead. He married his plural wife, Ida Hunt (1858-1915), in 1882.
Jailed on a sham perjury charge in 1885, he returned to serve his community by developing better roads, contracting mail service, establishing a local school, and representing the area as a member of the 20th territorial legislature. Until his death in 1938, David K. Udall, together with Ella, served his church in Arizona in many capacities, as president of Saint Johns Stake and as President of the Arizona Temple in Mesa.
His children by Ella were Stewart, Pearl, Erma, Mary, Luella, David, Levi, Paul, and Rebecca. His children with Ida were Pauline, Grover, John, Jesse, Gilbert and Don. For additional information on his life see
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