Item Detail
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Preece, Florence Smith
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1850-1932
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MSS 8
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Biography
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Florence Smith Preece was born November 5, 1850 in Pleasant Ridge, Lee County, Iowa to Elkanih Andrew and Harriet Elizabeth Card Smith. In the spring of 1862, she and her family and grandmother began the trek for Utah. They arrived there on August 25, 1862, and the family soon after moved to Farmington. Florence later met John Preece, whom she married in 1867. They had twelve children, though only six survived to adulthood. Florence died December 4, 1932 at age 82.
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This is a two-page typescript biography and two-page recollection of Florence Smith Preece, as written by her daughters, Lucy Preece Stewart and Violet Preece Richard. It is included in the Margaret Steed Hess collection, MSS 8. Included in the biography is a description of Florence's home in Pleasant Ridge. Lucy writes of the beauty of Iowa and describes the walnut trees that lined the house, and the large forest that was near their home, where they collected nuts and berries. In the trek across the plains, there is a brief description of some of the hardships, such as the Black Hawk Indians that occasionally troubled the pioneers. She describes the activities in the evenings, as they would circle the wagons with the livestock in the center. They would then sing songs, dance, and tell stories. After arriving in Utah, Florence learned how to cut and dry peaches, preserve with molasses, make candles and soap, and glean wheat. The biography closes with Florence's testimony in which she states that 'faith in God is the highest and strongest assurance that can come to mankind.' Although the biography does not offer many personal details of Florence's life, the recollection following is a basic description of Florence as a mother and woman. Lucy writes her memories of her mother always serving food and always giving. Despite the liveliness of her home, her house was consistently clean, and Florence was always willing to help others in need. She recounts one incident, however, in which Florence'distraught after the death of three of her children'took up a shawl and went out into the night. She was found nearly frozen to death, but was nursed back to health. Following Lucy's memories is a short recollection from another daughter, Violet. Violet states, 'I feel grateful for her [Florence's] teachings and her dear memory.'
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1868-1961