Thomas Edwin Ricks married four more times in plural marriage, and was father of 42 children. He was the founder of Ricks College, in Rexburg, Idaho.
Ricks, Thomas Edwin, president of the Fremont Stake ofZion, was born July 21, 1828, in Trigg (now Christian) county, Kentucky, son of Joel Ricks and Elenor Martin. Whenbut two years old his parents moved to Madison county, Illinois, at which place he was baptized Feb. 14, 1845, and in the following October he was ordained an Elder. In September he moved with his parents to Nauvoo, Illinois. He worked on the Nauvoo Temple from the time he arrived there until work was stopped, and preparations commenced to move west. He crossed the Mississippi river for the west Feb. 8,1846, with part of Charles C. Rich's family, acting as teamster for them as far as Council Bluffs, where he remained with his parents until April, 1848, when he continued westward in Heber C. Kimball's company. When thec ompany arrived near Elkhorn river the Indians stole four of their oxen, and Bro. Ricks with three others were senti n pursuit of them. They came upon the Indians [p.456]about six miles from camp. The Indians at once commenced firing at them and Bro. Ricks was shot three times. It was not until the following July that he was able to leave his bed, but from that time on he continued to gain strength. He arrived in Salt Lake valley Sept. 24, 1848, locating at North Mill Creek, about twelve miles north of Salt Lake City. The following spring he moved into Centerville. In the fall of 1849 he was called to go with an eight-ox team to meet a company of emigrants in charge of Ezra T. Bensonand Geo. A. Smith, whom he met near Independence Rock on the Sweetwater, and returning with the company he arrived in Salt Lake City Oct. 23, 1849. On the 20th of November of the same year he was called to go on an exploring expedition under the charge of Parley P. Pratt—to southern Utah. He accompanied this expedition as far south as where St. George is now located, and returned March 27, 1850. He was married to Tobitha Hendricks Aug. 28, 1852. At the April conference, 1856, he was called to go south on an Indian mission with William Bringhurst and others. They went to Los Vegas (now Nevada), and there, with the others of the mission, he assisted in building a fort, and opening up farms. At the October conference, 1856, he was called togo and assist the hand-cart company through, and started out on this mission the same day he was called. He met Capt. Martin's company at Independence Rock, and arrived a tSalt Lake City with them Nov. 30th. March 10, 1858, he,with others, was called to Salmon river, Idaho, to rescueThomas S. Smith's company from the Indians, returning to Salt Lake City one month later—with the rescued—when theyfound the Saints all moving south on account of the approach of Johnston's army, in which move he participated and went as far south as Strawberry creek, a little north of where the town of Nephi is now located. In the fall of 1859 he moved to Cache valley and located at Logan, in said valley. He was for many years a member of the High Council of Cache Stake of Zion. In 1863 he crossed the plains as captain of a company of teams who went to meet theemigrants at Council Bluffs, and again in 1866 he was called to fill a similar mission, both of which he filled successfully. In 1869 he filled a mission to the States of Ohio, Illinois and Kentucky. Soon after his return from this mission he was found busy in the construction of the railroad from Ogden to Franklin, being one of the principal contractors in the building of this grade. In 1877, he, in company with Wm. D. Hendricks, contracted for the laying oft he track from Franklin, Idaho, to Butte, Montana, which work he completed by Christmas, 1880. In 1881 he was busy as a contractor of grades for the Northern Pacific railroad. In December, 1882, he was called to lead a colony in the settlement of the upper Snake River valley, Idaho,where he arrived the following February and at once went to work and laid out the city of Rexburg, and afterwards assisted in laying out nearly every settlement in what is now Fremont and Bingham counties. He built the first gristmill in the upper Snake river valley; built the first ferry across the north fork of Snake river; built the first sawmill; opened up the first mercantile store, and was ever first and foremost in every enterprise that tended to build a commonwealth. He was appointed the first Bishop in theSnake River country, then known as the Bannock Ward. When the Stake was organized Feb. 4, 1884, he was appointed its president, which position he creditably filled till hisdeath. In 1885 he was called on a mission to England, which he filled for a period of over two years. Soon after his return from this mission, while in Logan, he was placed[p.457] under arrest on the charge of unlawful cohabitation, but at his preliminary hearing on May 28,1888, he was discharged. In 1890 he was again arrested for his religion's sake, and this time appealed his case to the higher court from the decision of the trial court, which resulted in the case being again dismissed. From 1861 to 1863 he served Cache county as their sheriff, and again in the '70s he was serving the same county as their assessor and collector. He was a colonel of the Utah militia for agreat number of years. Twice he was appointed by the governor of Idaho a delegate to represent the State in the National Irrigation congress, both of which he filled with honor. In 1898 he was appointed by the governor of Idaho as a member of the board of directors of the Insane Asylum of Idaho. He was chosen chairman of the board and held that position at the time of his death. During the time he was railroad-building he accumulated considerable means, all of which he spent in building up and developing the Snakeriver country, and in assisting the poor and needy who had come to settle there. The savings and accumulations of agreat many years of industrious toil were all spent through his kindness and liberality. President Ricks died at his home in Rexburg, Bingham county, Idaho, Sept. 28, 1901, surrounded by his numerous and sorrowing family. Those who,knew him best assert that a more courageous man never livedthan Thos. E. Ricks; for fear to him was unknown. While attimes he appeared a little rough and stern in his manner and conversation, yet beneath that roughness and sternness there always beat a kindly and forgiving heart. To the kingdom of God, and the Priesthood, he was loyal to the core, ever ready and willing to go where he was called and when he was called, unflinchingly braving every danger and hardship without a murmur. His was a cheerful disposition,and he always had words of encouragement to those who were laboring to build up the new country in which he took somuch interest. He had five wives, four of whom survived him. He was the father of 42 children, 36 of whom he left to mourn his loss. At the time of his death he had 154grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren living.
Thomas E. Ricks was born on the 21st of July, 1828, in Trigg county, Kentucky. His parents were Joel Ricks and Elenor Martin. They moved while he was yet an infant toMadison county, Illinois, where his boyhood was spent untilhe was eighteen years of age. His time was mostly occupiedin assisting his father, who was a hard-working and prosperous farmer. On March 27, 1844, he had a thigh brokenby being thrown from a horse, an accident that caused oneof his legs to be much shorter than the other, thus makinghim a cripple for life; but for all that he was very activeand hard-working and remained so to the end of his days. Reared on the frontiers of Western Illinois, where educational facilities were very limited, he was able to acquire but little book learning, and what he did obtain was mostly at odd times by dint of his own unaided effortsat the home fireside.
He was baptized a Latter-day Saint February 14, 1845, and in September of the same year went with his father's family to Nauvoo, where he worked on the Temple during the fall and winter. In October he was ordained an Elder under the hands of Jesse Baker. The following February, the exodus from Illinois having begun, his father sent him with a team to assist Charles C. Rich in moving West. He crossed the Mississippi on the 8th of that month, joined the camps on Sugar Creek and traveled with the family of Elder Rich to Council Bluffs. His father's family having arrived there, they went into Winter Quarters, remaining on the Missouri until the spring of 1848.
The elder Ricks being in good circumstances, they were able to fit themselves out very comfortably for the journey across the plains, and also to lead considerable aid to others. They traveled under the direction of Apostle Heber C. Kimball, with whom, as well as with other leaders of thepeople, a close intimacy was formed. On the Elk Horn rive, on the third day of June, while attempting to recover some stock driven off by the Indians, Thomas was shot by them,and for a time his life was despaired of, the doctordeclaring, while probing for the three balls that had entered his body, that he could not live three hours. He was administered to by the Elders, however, and promised that he should live. He recovered, and for fifty-two years his life continued to be active and useful.
He arrived in Salt Lake valley September 24, 1848, and settled first at Centerville in Davis county. In 1852 hemoved to Farmington, where he made his home until 1859,when he removed to Logan, Cache county. There he residedfor twenty-four years, and during this period was mostlyengaged in farming and stock-raising. In 1883 he was called by the Church authorities to lead a colony into Snake Rivervalley, Idaho, and [p.157] there, at the town of Rexburg—named in his honor after the original spelling of his family name—he resided up to the time of his death.
At various times he formed business associations and undertook enterprises which generally proved successful .For twenty years he was interested in milling at Logan,with William D. Hendricks of Richmond, and was also associated with him for several years in railroad construction. He was president of the Rexburg Milling Company and of the Rexburg Co-operative Store.
Among the missions he fulfilled was one to the Indians at Los Vegas, New Mexico, in April, 1855. He left home in May of that year, and returned in September, 1856. In 1863 and in 1866 he crossed and recrossed the plains, bringing emigrants to Utah. From October, 1869, to March, 1870, hewas on a mission to the States, and from May, 1885, to November, 1886, on a mission to Great Britain. He took active part as an officer of the Church from his earliest connection with it and was advanced step by step until hebecame the President of a Stake. He was always generous and charitable with his means, and in the days of his greatest prosperity was styled "the friend of the poor."
For many years he was a Colonel in the Utah militia, and during early troubles with the Indians was a minute man,ready to start at a moment's notice to defend the lives and property of the people. He was for several years sheriff of Cache county, and it was during his tenure of that office that the incident occurred which formed the basis of the charge upon which he was tried and acquitted, as narrate din chapter twenty-seven, volume two, of this history.
Thomas E. Ricks was always looked upon as a proper man to take charge of public enterprises, such as the constructionof canyon roads, irrigation canals and ditches, especially in times when all was done by donation. Should his Bishopor the President of his Stake ask him to superintend such alabor, he would never shrink nor shirk, whatever sacrificeit entailed. He was always on hand to do his duty, and always respectful and obedient to his superiors in authority. He was President of Bannock Stake for many years, and after it was divided he continued to be President of Fremont Stake, holding that position until his death. He was married August 18, 1852, to Tabitha Hendricks; March 27, 1857 to Tamar Loader and Jane Shupe;December 6, 1863, to Ruth C. Dilley; and November 29, 1866,to Ellen Maria Yallop. His children number forty-three. President Ricks died at his home in Rexburg, September 28,1901.
History of Utah by Orson F. Whitney
Volume 2
Chapter XXVII 1873–1875
One of these prisoners was Colonel Thomas E. Ricks, ex-Sheriff of Cache County, who, at the time that Judge Emerson began holding court at Salt Lake City, had been lying in prison for six months, awaiting trial on a trumped up charge of murder, alleged to have been committed about fifteen years previously. During his imprisonment he had had opportunities to join two successful escape parties,but had preferred to remain in durance and have his case come to trial, feeling confident that he would be acquitted and desiring to clear his name of the stigma placed upon itby the grand, jury which had indicted him.
The facts relating to the alleged crime are these. About the last of June or the beginning of July, 1860, Colonel Ricks, who was then Sheriff of Cache County, arrested one David Skeene for horse-stealing, and had him in custody at Logan. The place of his temporary confinement was an old log school-house in that town. Skeene was a confirmed horse-thief and a dangerous and desperate character. He had formerly been under arrest in Utah County, but had succeeded in escaping after being hotly pursued and shot at by the officers. During the night following the day of his arrest in Cache County—July 2nd—the inhabitants of Logan were startled by the report of several pistol shots in the vicinity of the log schoolhouse in which Skeene had been placed, with Sheriff Ricks and others on guard over him.Several citizens, hastening to the spot, found the body oft he horse-thief lying dead outside the building, and were informed by the Sheriff and his men that he had been shot while attempting to escape. Colonel Ricks stated tha tSkeene had come at him as if to snatch his revolver,whereupon he, the Sheriff, threw up his arms to ward him off and at the same time discharged his pistol, the ball taking effect in the floor. Again the prisoner rushed upon him and the officer then fired at him repeatedly till he fell. This statement was confirmed by William Chambers, one of the guards, who, at the inquest held over the dead bodyof the prisoner, testified that he was guarding Skeene at the time and that the latter thought he (the witness) was asleep when he "made a grab" for Sheriff Ricks.
The inquest referred to was held at Logan on July 3rd,1860, before Justice of the Peace, E. Landers, and a jury composed of Messrs. William B. Steele, William B. Preston,D. B. Dille, John Nelson and Cyrus W. Card. The witnesses examined were Thomas E. Ricks, who gave his account of the attempted escape and killing; William Chambers, who confirmed that account and testified to other particulars;James Denning, who stated that he had heard the shooting and, rushing to the spot as soon as possible, had found Skeene lying dead; James Pierson, who had seen men lurking about town whom he believed to be planning the escape oft he prisoner; N. W. Birdno, who had seen a man running from the vicinity of the school-house immediately after the shooting, and David B. Dille, surgeon, who with the assistance of the jury examined the body and found five bullet holes, three in and about the breast and two in the loins. The verdict of the jury was to the effect that the deceased, Elisha David Skeene, came to his death in attempting to make his escape from the officers and guard who had him in custody.
Such were the facts relating to the killing, and it was out of these and other materials that District Attorney Carey,assisted by Mr. R. N. Baskin, proposed to construct a case of murder. They claimed to have been informed—and it was upon this information that Colonel Ricks had been indicted,arrested and imprisoned—that when he shot the prisoner Skeene, the latter was asleep, and that consequently the killing was unjustifiable. The main reliance of the prosecution, in their futile effort to prove the truth of this theory, was no other than the man William Chambers,one of the witnesses who had testified at the Logan inquest, and who had then and there corroborated the statement made by Colonel Ricks.
The trial of the case against the ex-Sheriff began on the18th of March, 1875, the very day that Judge Emerson too khis seat upon the bench of the Third District. The prosecution, as stated, was conducted by U. S. District Attorney Carey, assisted by Mr. Baskin. The defense was represented by Messrs. Sutherland, Bates and Snow. Two days were occupied in empaneling the jury, which, being completed, stood as follows: De Witt C. Thompson, John S.Barnes, Alex. J. Daft, Frank Cisler, James Johnson, JosephPeck, Ezra Foss, Stephen Hunter, Thomas H. Woodbury, Jr.,William Irvin, William C. Morris and Joseph Weiler. Several of these were non-Mormons.
Mr. Carey briefly stated the case to the jury, giving first the view taken by the prosecution and afterwards the known plea of the defense. Various witnesses were then examined,among them William Chambers, upon whose testimony, asstated, the prosecution mainly relied. The substance of hisstory was as follows. He had been for several years a resident of Harrison County, Iowa, but in July, 1860, was living in Cache County, Utah. He was one of the men placed to guard Skeene on the night of July 2nd, and he claimed that he saw the defendant and others whom he did not know shoot and kill the prisoner, and that the first shots were fired while the latter was asleep. The memory of the witness was very faulty in places. He remembered that there was an inquest held on the body and that he was present,but he did not know anything about a justice of the peace named Landers. He did not recollect being sworn as a witness at the inquest, but admitted that he was there asked if Mr. Ricks' statement was true, and had answered that he believed it was. He did not recall having testified that Skeene rushed upon Ricks and seized him as if to snatch his revolver, nor that he, the witness, had feigned sleep when in the school-house on guard. The reason he did not testify at the inquest as he did now was because he thought another inquest would be held. Being asked by Mr.Baskin why he did not tell the truth at the inquest,Chambers replied that it was "because of past experience,"though he stated in the next breath that no one there had intimidated him.
The defense, in rebuttal, introduced in evidence the duly attested minutes of the inquest held before Justice Landerson July 3rd, 1860. Therein it was recorded that Sheriff Ricks testified that he had shot the prisoner while in the act of rushing upon him as if to snatch his revolver and effect an escape; and that William Chambers, being sworn, corroborated the Sheriff's statement, and added that he had long watched Skeene and that the latter thought he (thewitness) was asleep when he "made a grab at Thomas Ricks."By numerous witnesses it was proven that Skeene was a bad character, a horse-thief and an abuser of women; that shortly before his death he had declared his intention to escape, and had boasted that if he got one foot the start of the officers they would not be able to overtake him. It was likewise shown that it was generally believed at the time that some of his confederates were plotting for his liberation. Charles Shumway testified that Judge Peter Maughan had informed him that he had heard of such a plot,and that the Judge requested him to go and warn Sheriff Ricks of the rumor. The witness stated that he went from Wellsville to Logan for that purpose and was with the Sheriff on the night of the killing. He was outside the house most of the time, but was inside once or twice, and saw Skeene lying upon the floor. Some knocks were given on the rear end of the building, and he went out to ascertain the cause, when two or three men ran rapidly away from the house. Hearing some shooting, Mr. Shumway returned to the front of the school-house and saw Skeene's body lying upon the ground. Several witnesses, among them William B.Preston, David B. Dille and Charles O. Card, testified tha tWilliam Chambers, at the inquest held the day after the shooting, corroborated the Sheriff's account of the killing.
The examination of witnesses having concluded, arguments of counsel began, U. S. District Attorney Carey opening for the prosecution. He was followed by Judge J. G. Sutherlandin behalf of the defendant. His colleague, Mr. George C.Bates, was the next speaker, and Mr. Baskin then closed for the prosecution. The jury, after receiving the Judge's charge, retired for a short time and returned into court the same evening with a verdict of not guilty. This was on Tuesday, the 23rd of March.
General Thomas Edwin Ricks Sr. was born on 21. Jul. 1828 at Donaldson Creek, Rigg County, Kentucky. He was the son of
Joel Ricks and
Eleanor Martin. General Thomas Edwin Ricks Sr. married
Tabitha Hendricks, daughter of
Samuel Hendricks and
Rebecca Dorris, on 18. Aug. 1852 at Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Utah. General Thomas Edwin Ricks Sr. married
Elizabeth Jane Shupe, daughter of
John Witstein Shupe and
Martha Ann Thomas, on 27. Mar. 1857 at Endowment House, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Utah. General Thomas Edwin Ricks Sr. married
Tamar Loader, daughter of
James Loader and
Amy Britnell, on 27. Mar. 1857 at Endowment House, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Utah. General Thomas Edwin Ricks Sr. married
Ruth Caroline Dillie, daughter of
David Buel Dilley and
Harriet Lucrettia Welch, on 24. Dec. 1864 at Endowment House, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Utah. General Thomas Edwin Ricks Sr. married
Ellen Maria Yallop, daughter of
Ephriam Yallop and
Mary Ann West, on 29. Nov. 1866 at Endowment House, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Utah. General Thomas Edwin Ricks Sr. died on 28. Sep. 1901 at Rexburg, Madison County, Idaho, at age 73.