Item Detail
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Merkley, Jehzeel Gibb
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1874-1955
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MSS SC 1081
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Biography
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On April 11, 1874 Jehzeel Gibb was born in Massycumer, Monmouthshire, England. She was the daughter of John Lye and Sarah Gibb. Her parents met at meetings held by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints whole each was investigating the Church. They joined the LDS Church shortly before they were married on October 13, 1867. Soon thereafter they moved to Ireland. They stayed there until 1875 when they sailed to America with a company of Saints settling in Lehi, Utah, where Jehzeel grew up. Her father was called by Church authorities to move to Alberta, Canada. Jehzeel met Alva Marion Merkley while clerking at a store in Cardston, Canada and they were married on June 22, 1900 in Salt Lake City. They moved to Magrath, Alberta, Canada soon after. They bought a large amount of land to farm and became quite prosperous. While there, Jehzeel taught in Relief Society and the Young Women's organization. She was made the director of the United Farm Women of Alberta and served for two years. Jehzeel and Alva stayed in Canada, though they took many trips to Utah to visit their children who had settled there. Alva died in 1950. Jehzeel stayed on at the house in Canada. She passed away five years later on May 27, 1955. She was the mother of nine children.
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This typed, 38-page biography is missing pages 3-8. Pages 1-23 of the biography were written by Rissa M. Clark, pages 23-26 are various letters between family members typed out, pages 27-29 are Jehzeel's testimony and patriarchal blessing, and pages 30-37 are various short life sketches of Jehzeel by other family members. The last page is a letter from Alva's father to Alva. This biography also includes a family tree with the descendants of Alva Marion and Jehzeel Gibb Merkley down to great-great grandchildren. There is also a family portrait chart of Alva and Jehzeel and their children and their spouses. Jehzeel's biography contains some on the lives and conversion of her parents, John and Sarah. John's father was angry that John joined the church, so soon after they were married they moved to Ireland and opened a shoe shop. There are also stories of Jehzeel's childhood, though with the missing pages a lot is left out. One story that is included is about Jehzeel and her brother John running away from home, staying away the whole day, but coming back once it got dark. There is a bit about her involvement in the Relief Society organization. She conceived of the idea of having an organized lesson plan for all of the women in the church so those who had not had formal schooling could study the classics and bring culture into their homes. This became a Church-wide program. Descriptions of Jehzeel's love of people and entertaining them are included. She is described as 'an excellent conversationalist with a quick wit and keen sense of humor.'
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