Item Detail
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Hinman, Mary Jane White
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1853-1913
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MSS 8
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Biography
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Mary Jane White Hinman (Jane) was born April 5, 1853 to John Stout and Adelaide White in Farmington, Davis County, Utah as the eldest child. She did not receive much schooling because of how much she helped at home, and when young, she began work to earn extra money. As a youth, she enjoyed dances and was at one point, engaged to her childhood sweetheart, John Shelton. After various problems, however, she broke it off and later married Henry L. Hinman on November 18, 1874. Afterwards, they moved to the Blue Creek district, a desert area where they lived far away from most other people. Together, they had nine children. They later moved to Farmington and then Clearfield, though in the spring of 1890, they moved again, but this time to Canada. After having served various callings in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and having nursed her husband for several years, she passed away in Salt Lake City on April 16, 1913, following an operation.
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This nine-page typescript biography from the Margaret Steed Hess collection was written by Jane's grandchild. The biographer begins with the statement, 'It has been said that behind the success of every wonderful man is an equally splendid woman, who assists her husband in every walk of life. Such a cherished soul was my Grandmother, Mary Jane White Hinman.' The manuscript provides a brief history of Jane's father, who served as a member of the Mormon Battalion. Following, an excerpt from the recollections of Jane's younger sister is included. She describes Jane's parents as both were extremely good examples and diligent workers. Following the excerpt is a list of Jane's siblings and their birth dates. 'Uncle John' then describes an incident with Jane, when she hit him for misbehaving, and he began bleeding. She apologized and together, they prayed for forgiveness. John recounts this as being the 'only difference [they] ever had.' Another of Jane's sisters describes Jane as being like a second mother to the younger children. After her marriage, Jane lived a hard life, living in a small house far from any other people. She worked hard, but rarely complained. The same sister continues and describes an experience during which Jane gave her, Lizzie, a blessing.
Throughout the reminder of the biography are intermittent excerpts from Jane's diary. Jane describes her realization that clothing and money may be used superficially, but that 'feelings and actions' are more important. Jane also describes an instance when she aided in the healing of a mother and child. Jane appears to have been a responsible, spiritual, and humble girl who, while frequently helping others, also learned from her mistakes. She later writes about her sweetheart, John Shelton, whom despite many misgivings, she became engaged to. She broke it off after his drinking problem continued to be unresolved. Many of her diary entries also include spiritual ponderings, and she frequently writes about her spiritual progression and feelings. The last entry provided in the biography concludes, 'We should live so that we would never regret anything that we do. This requires us to live near to Our God and seek Him often. . . . I am determined to have a strong mind and heart, and be more prayerful and dutiful.'
Following, there are several more anecdotes which further tell of Jane's bravery, diligence, and faith as a wife and mother. She was later president of the Young Ladies Mutual Improvement Association (YWMIA), and in 1909, was called to be the Stake Relief Society President. The manuscript concludes with a poem read at Jane's funeral.