S. George Ellsworth

Samuel George Ellsworth(1916–1997) was an Americanhistorianspecializing inWestern United Stateshistory and the history ofthe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.He was a founding editor of theWestern Political Quarterly.

Biography

Early life and education

Ellsworth was born inSafford, Arizonabut was raised inCalifornia,UtahandMissourias well as Arizona. He graduated fromKansas CityHigh School and began his college studies atKansas City Junior College.He then served a mission for theLDS Churchin the North Central States Mission, headquartered inMinneapolis.

After his mission Ellsworth went toLogan, Utahwhere he studied at what is nowUtah State Universityearning a bachelor's degree in history and math. He was appointed principal of the LDS Seminary inBunkerville, Nevadaas well as working as a teacher at Virgin Valley High School. In October 1942 Ellsworth married Maria Smith, a daughter of Asahel H. Smith and his wife Pauline Udall, in theMesa Arizona Temple.

Military service

In late 1942 Ellsworth joined theUnited States Army Air Corps.He served much of the war atHammer FieldinCalifornia,but from January 1945 until June 1946 was a chaplain stationed in thePhilippines.

Post-graduate education

After World War II Ellsworth pursued further studies at theUniversity of California, Berkeley.He earned an MA and Ph. D. both in American history with his thesis and dissertation topics being about missionary work of the LDS Church in the United States andCanadaduring parts of the 19th Century.

Academic career

Ellsworth spent his career from 1951-1983 as a professor of history atUtah State University.From 1966-1969 he was chair of the USU History Department. During this time he served one year as a visiting professor atWest Virginia Universityand later one year as a visiting professor atBrigham Young University.

Among major works Ellsworth edited the journals ofAddison Pratt,the autobiography ofLouisa Barnes PrattandDear Ellen: Two Mormon Women and Their Letters.Ellsworth's wife was descended from Addison and Louisa Barnes Pratt.

Ellsworth also wrote the biography ofSamuel ClaridgeentitledSamuel Claridge: Pioneering the Outposts of Zion.Ellsworth also wrote a Sesquecentennial History of the LDS Church inFrench Polynesiawith Kathleen C. Perrin and a history of the early LDS settlement in the area ofLogandale, Nevada.

Sources

• BYU Studies.Vol. 38, no. 4 review ofAutobiographyof Louisa Barnes Pratt
• USU Library Archives collection bio