Porter, Abinadi Wesley
Abinadi Wesley Porter (1865-1932) served in the Southern States Mission and Middle States Mission from 1901 to 1902. In his mission acceptance letter to Lorenzo Snow, he wrote: “My call for a mission to the Southern States is accepted.” At that time, he already had six children at home and was working on the railroad to save money for his mission. He married in the St. George Temple in 1885. He and his wife had ten children of their own and raised another five after the death of his son. Elder Porter kept a detailed journal during mission mentioning many first members by name. He served in the bishopric for most of his life and was called the “walking Bible” while serving in East Tennessee. Elder Porter baptized Sealy Caroline Garland and confirmed Joseph Franklin Harmon a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in 1902.
Miller, Melvin Parley
Melvin Parley Miller (1882-1927) served in the Southern States Mission from 1901 to 1902 before being transferred to the Middle States Mission at the time the mission split in September 1902. He returned home and married Cora Brugger in Utah, in 1910. They raised seven children together. Elder Abinadi Porter documented a baptism and other efforts in Blount County in his mission journal serving with Elder Miller. Elder Miller administered to Eliza Nelson shortly after her husband, Alexander Garland, unexpectedly passed away. He confirmed Sealy Garland a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Warren, David Samuel
David Samuel Warren (1882-1965) served in the Middle States Mission and Southern States Mission from 1902 to 1904. In his mission acceptance letter to Joseph F. Smith, he wrote: “I will say that with the help of god i (sic) will be ready to start.” He married in the Salt Lake Temple in 1906. They raised four children together in Utah while he worked as a deputy sheriff for Davis County. He served two stake missions. In 1904, Elder Warren baptized General Washington Harmon, in Cades Cove, David Lafayette Whitehead, in Happy Valley, and confirmed the first named and Lucinda Josephine Burchfield, in Walland, as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Roundy, Othello
Othello Roundy (1875-1957) served in the Southern States Mission from 1902 to 1904. In his mission acceptance letter to George Reynolds, he wrote: “I received your letter last knight (sic) and in reply will say I am ready and willing at any date to fill a mission.” Elder Abinadi Porter documented his labors in Blount County with Elder Othello Roundy in his transcribed mission journal. He was one of 13 children in his family. He married in the Logan Temple, at the age of 37. They raised one daughter together. He spent his career working for the United States Postal Service. Elder Roundy baptized George Woody, Robert Filmore Garland, Joseph Franklin Harmon and Laura Bell Harmon, and confirmed the first named and William Council Harmon as member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Millers Cove, in 1902.
Freeman, Wilford Woodruff
Wilford Woodruff Freeman (1880-1939) served in the Middle States Mission and Southern States Mission from 1903 to 1905. When he was called to serve, he had already been married eight years and had three children. Elder Freeman returned home early due to a family illness and wrote a letter to Joseph F. Smith to report on his labors in East Tennessee: “The people of East Tennessee are very hospitable and in the main (sic) I received very kind treatment. The work is progressing nicely in that section.” He and his wife had ten children together. Elder Freeman baptized Lucinda Josephine Burchfield and Pearl Woody in Tuckaleechee Cove, whom he also confirmed – as well as David Lafayette Whitehead in Happy Valley – as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Hobson, George Leonard
George Leonard Hobson (1882-1957) served in the Southern States Mission from 1905 to 1907. In his mission acceptance letter to George Reynolds, he wrote: “I am willing to take the mission required of me and will be ready to go…” While serving in Tennessee, he published an article in the Deseret Evening News: “There is a great demand for Elders in the South, as in other parts, and work is fast bearing fruit. There is much religious confusion existing among the religious denominations of the state.” He married in the Salt Lake Temple in 1912. They raised seven children together in the mountains of Summit, Utah. Elder Hobson baptized Lillie Hayes Garland, Olive Retta Harmon, Milburn Asher Harris, and Champion Burke Harris, and confirmed the first and last named as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, all in Millers Cove, in 1907.
Meacham, Arnold Rose
Arnold Rose Meacham (1884-1959) served in the Southern States Mission from 1905 to 1908. In his mission acceptance letter to George Reynolds, he wrote: “While I have not any habits, I can’t say that I have entirely kept the Word of Wisdom [but] I am willing to go to any country where you wish to call me.” In 1908, he married in Logan, Utah. They raised two children together. Elder Meacham confirmed Olive Retta Harmon and Milburn Asher Harris as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Millers Cove, in 1907.
Callis, Charles Albert
Charles Albert Callis (1865-1947) served in the British Mission from 1893 to 1895. In 1875, he emigrated from Dublin, Ireland to Coalville, Utah, where he worked long days in the coal mines to support his family. He introduced the missionaries to his family when he was eight years old in Ireland. They found him wandering outside after dark and walked him home. All members of his family were baptized shortly thereafter. He began studying law when he was called to serve in the Southern States Mission from 1906 to 1908. In 1902, he married Grace Pack – in the Salt Lake Temple – who also served a proselyting mission in the Southern States from 1906 to 1908. In 1908, Elder Callis was called to serve as President of the Southern States Mission, serving from 1908 to 1934, during which time he was admitted to the Florida bar to defend legal cases against the missionaries. He obtained a reputation as a powerful defender of the faith and disciplined leader. After Elder James E. Talmage passed away, President Callis was called to serve in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Charles and Grace raised eight children together while serving in the Southern States Mission. In 1947, Elder Callis attended the meeting to organize the first stake in the Southern States Mission. He called this moment the “crowning achievement” of his life. He died the next day at the age of 81. President Callis told his story of the “dirty little Irish kid” which was retold by James E. Talmage in his General Conference talk titled “Them That Honour Me I Will Honour.” In 1917, he officiated the wedding for his “dear friend,” JC Garland and Hattie Gentry – who are from Millers Cove. In 1927, Elder Callis traveled from Chattanooga to Millers Cove to confirm JC’s son, Paul Ezekiel Garland, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Jensen, Joseph Franklin
Joseph Franklin Jensen (1880-1958) served in the Northern States Mission from 1906 to 1908. He then served in the Southern States Mission from 1917 to 1918. He wrote a detailed history from his journal about his time in the East Tennessee Conference available on Family Search titled “Part 2 of Life History…” and as an individual record of his three days and two baptisms in Maryville. According to his summarized journal, he labored only three days in Maryville. He married in the Salt Lake Temple in 1908. They already had three children when he left to serve in Tennessee. He and his wife raised eight children together in Utah. Elder Jensen baptized and confirmed James Oliver Smith and another unidentified individual as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Later-day Saints in Maryville, in 1918.
Williams, Gustavious
Gustavious Williams (1880-1940) served in the Southern States Mission from 1906 to 1908 and the Western States Mission from 1925 to 1926. In his first mission acceptance letter to Joseph F. Smith, he wrote: “I will be on hand at the time specified by you.” He married in the Salt Lake Temple in 1909. They raised six children together in Teasdale, Utah. He became Bishop of the Teasdale Ward, ordained a High Priest by David O. McKay and Bishop by Joseph F. Smith. While serving in the East Tennessee Conference, the Walland School was going to be shut down in the winter of 1906 due to the absence of any teachers, so Elder Williams volunteered and taught at the school to keep it open all winter. He wanted it to be known in his last writing before he passed away that he never used tobacco or tasted alcohol. He baptized and confirmed Luther Howard Davis and William Houston Davis, in Walland, and Elmyra Miller, in Cades Cove, as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Hunter, William Martin
William Martin Hunter (1880-1945) served in the Southern States Mission from 1907 to 1909. He received his mission call in an announcement in General Conference while bartending at a saloon in Alta, Utah. In his mission acceptance letter to Joseph F. Smith, he wrote: “I will state that if you see fit to send me out in the world to spread the to spread the gosple (sic) and I can do anyone any good, I am willing to do the best I can, if I can spread the truth and enlighten any living soul, I would gladly do it. Although I realize that in and of myself I am powerless, but trusting in God my Heavenly Father to help me, I am ready to go…” He wrote of his experience turning to the Lord to end a 14-year tobacco addiction in order to serve his mission. He married in the Salt Lake Temple one week before departing for the Southern States Mission. When he returned home, he and his wife raised three children. He retired after working 25 years at ZCMI. He was ward chairman for the genealogical committee, which he held for many years up until he passed away. Elder Hunter baptized Minnie Sisera Winters and Charles Russell Harrison, whom he also confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Maryville, in 1909.
Keller, Alva Willmott
Alva Willmott Keller (1884-1963) served in the Southern States Mission from 1907 to 1909. In his mission acceptance letter to Joseph F. Smith, he wrote: “I take great pleasure in answering the call to say I am ready and willing…” He married in the Salt Lake Temple a few months before leaving to serve in the East Tennessee Conference. He and his wife raised seven children together in Salt Lake City, Utah while he worked for the Granite School District. Elder Keller confirmed Minnie Sisera Winters a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Maryville, in 1909.
Erickson, George Henry
George Henry Erickson (1884-1944) served in the Southern States Mission from 1907 to 1910. He married in the Salt Lake Temple after his mission and raised seven children while serving as Bishop of the Lehi 5th Ward. As Bishop he was construction manager and supervisor of the building of their chapel. He passed away shortly after its completion. Elder Erickson confirmed John Robert Davis a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Tuckaleeche Cove, in 1910.
Smith, Heber John
Heber John Smith (1886-1979) served in the Southern States Mission from 1907 to 1910. In his mission acceptance letter to Joseph F. Smith, he wrote: “I received your call to the mission field and accept it with pleasure.” He married in the Salt Lake Temple in 1915. He held various Church callings including the first Bishop of the Draper 2nd Ward. He and his wife raised five children together while he owned and operated a farm in Draper. Elder Smith baptized Fanathera Dora Woody in Walland in 1909.
Larson, Wallace Hunt
Wallace Hunt Larson (1887-1954) served in the Southern States Mission from 1908 to 1911. He served as a Snowlfake Arizona Stake Missionary in 1938. He married in the Salt Lake Temple in 1913. They raised four children together. He was a business manager, rancher, high school teacher, high school principal, and became a Arizona State Legislator who led the House Education Committee for many years. Elder Larson confirmed Fanathera Dora Woody a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in 1909.
Abraham, James
James Abraham (1878-1948) served in the Southern States Mission from 1908 to 1910. He saved money many years for his mission and to pay for his father’s funeral expenses by working in the fields of Utah as a farmhand. Elder Abraham briefly served in Blount County and documented in his mission journal his time meeting with several of the first Smoky Mountain Saints. He also journaled about attending the Northcutts Cove Chapel dedication, on October 24, 1909. This is the oldest standing LDS chapel in the southeastern United States. James was the youngest of 13 children. His mother was 47 years old when he was born. In 1921, he married Edna Hunt – in the Salt Lake Temple – who served in the Western States Mission from 1913 to 1915. They raised three children together in Utah. Elder Abraham baptized John Robert Davis in Tuckaleeche Cove, in 1910.
Burrell, John Charles
John Charles Burrell (1884-1966) served in the Southern States Mission from 1910 to an unknown date. He emigrated with his family from England and was living in Chihuahua, Mexico when he received his call to serve. He returned home and married in the Salt Lake Temple. He and his wife raised eight children together. He was a well-known saddle maker and returned to Mexico under contract with the Meixcan government to make saddles for the Mexican Army. During raids of a rebel group, he was bayoneted and returned home. He was well known in the community and with Church leaders, including President Spencer W. Kimball, who attended his 50th wedding anniversary shortly before he passed away. Elder Burrell confirmed Braska Mae Harmon a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Millers Cove, in 1910.
Fullmer, William Price
William Price Fullmer (1871-1933) served in the Southern States Mission from 1910 to 1911. He documented his thoughts about home and his children in weekly letters available on Family Search. Before receiving his mission call, he had already married in the Manti Temple, in 1897, and had ten children at that time. While serving in Tennessee, his wife managed the home, children, and worked in the beet fields to provide for the family. Two children died just before he left on his mission and his daughter caught whopping cough, living long enough to see her father return home. He wrote home several months before the end of his mission asking his wife if she would like to serve a mission with him. She was concerned he was about to be called as Mission President and did not know how she could leave with their many children. Shortly thereafter, two months before he was to be released, she found her husband standing in the doorway. He received an early release to be Bishop at their home ward and they began their next mission together. They had 17 children, 14 of which survived to adulthood. Elder Fullmer baptized Braska Mae Harmon in Millers Cove and Ethel C. Davis in Tuckaleechee Cove, whom he also confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Letters of Elder William Fullmer (DEC 1910)
Lowry, John Lawrence
John Lawrence Lowry (1877-1954) served in the Southern States Mission from 1910 to 1912. He married in the Manti Temple in 1900. They already had four children when he was called to serve and his fourth was only two months old when he left. They ultimately raised seven children together in Sanpete, Utah. Elder Lowry confirmed Austin Hale Harmon a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Millers Cove, in 1912.
Morley, John Isaac
John Isaac Morley (1874-1940) served in the Southern States Mission from 1910 to 1912. In his mission acceptance letter to Joseph F. Smith, he wrote: “I will accept the call.” Elder Morley kept a journal of his time in Blount County – transcribed journal and a digital scan of both years available on Family Search. He married in the Manti Temple in 1901. They already had four children at the time of his call to serve in the East Tennessee Conference. In a 1910-postcard to his family, he wrote: “Live your religion, for it is the power of God unto salvation to all those who live and obey.” He returned home and they raised seven children in Sanpete, Utah. Elder Morley baptized Martha Elizabeth Russell, in Maryville, and confirmed Eliza Lee Hicks and Rachel Tennessee Hicks members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Tuckaleechee Cove, in 1911.
Journal of Elder John Morley (1911)
Palmer, Heber Ewer
Heber Ewer Palmer (1890-1962) served in the Southern States Mission from 1910 to 1912. Upon his return home on Christmas Day, he wrote the following to Joseph F. Smith: “My labors were indeed a pleasure to me, and I can say were very profitable especially or individually to myself. And I will also add that I am perfectly willing to serve another mission.” Elder Palmer served as a companion to Elder John Morley while in Blount County. Elder Morley documented their labors together in his transcribed mission journal. He was one of 27 children in his family. He married in the Salt Lake Temple, in 1918, and was drafted to serve in World War I. He returned home from Europe and had three children. He attended law school in Chicago, began a career in law, and lost everything after three years during the Great Depression, which was followed by many difficult years. He returned to Utah with his wife and children. They learned to rely on the Lord during a time in their life without anything. Regarding mission service, his wife later wrote: “Our greatest desire was to send our boys on a mission, and not one went, so we decided to send someone else. We sent Leslie Hunter, then a son of a neighbor, and assist a friend’s daughter.” Having experienced the blessings of a mission themselves, they assisted other missionaries throughout their lives. In 1911, Elder Palmer baptized Dora Tipton in Townsend, Eliza Lee Hicks and Rachel Tennessee Hicks in Tuckaleechee Cove, and confirmed the first named and Martha Elizabeth Lane in Maryville, and, in 1912, Toliver Andrew Parham in Millers Cove as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Smoky Mountain Ward 