Harriet Wood and Absalom Woolf
ABSALOM WOOLF was born February 4, 1832 in Winchester, Erie, New York,3523 and died February 16, 1910 in Hyde Park, Cache, Utah.3523, 4089 He is buried in Hyde Park Cemetery, Cache County, Utah.3523, 456
He married HARRIET WOOD on April 19, 1857 in Salt Lake City, Utah,3525 daughter of ESTHER URSULA EGGLESTON and MARTIN WOOD. She was born October 30, 1840 in Payson, Adams, Illinois,3523, 3527 and died April 19, 1912 in Hyde Park, Cache, Utah.3523 She is buried in Hyde Park Cemetery, Cache County, Utah.3523
Children of HARRIET WOOD and ABSALOM WOOLF:
- MARTIN WOOLF, b. October 18, 1858, Nephi, Juab, Utah;3526 m. ROSELTHA HYDE on July 20, 1879 in Utah3526; d. August 25, 1928, Cardston, Alberta, Canada.3526
- HARRIET WOOLF, b. July 4, 1862, Millville, Cache, Utah;456 m. WILLARD DUANE CRANNEY; d. October 22, 1896.456
- SARAH ALICE WOOLF, b. 1867, Utah; m. GEORGE LYON in 1887; d. June 3, 1933, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah.3523
- FRANK WOOLF, b. 1869, Utah.
- MARIA ELIZA WOOLF, b. August 2, 1870, Hyde Park, Cache, Utah;456 m. WILLIAM GORDON RICKS on February 3, 1892 in Logan, Cache, Utah3536; d. November 19, 1901, Rexburg, Madison, Idaho.456
- FLORENCE ELTHA WOOLF, b. May 12, 1872, Hyde Park, Cache, Utah;3523 m. RICHARD OSMOND REESE on February 8, 1893 in Logan, Cache, Utah3535; d. September 17, 1954, Roosevelt, Duchesne, Utah.3523
- FREDERICK ORSON WOOLF, b. August 17, 1873, Utah;3298 m. MARY BAKE on December 28, 1898 in Hyde Park, Cache, Utah3535; d. October 28, 1945, Iona, Bonneville, Idaho.3298
- RHODA ELIZABETH WOOLF, b. June 3, 1876, Benson, Cache, Utah;456 m. ALMA VICTOR REESE on September 1, 1898 in Cache County, Utah3535; d. April 28, 1968, Logan, Cache, Utah.456
- ARCHIE WOOLF, b. July 9, 1878, Benson, Cache, Utah;3523 m. KATHERINE NYMAN on October 2, 1901 in Cache County, Utah3535; d. October 19, 1949, Logan, Cache, Utah.3523
Newspaper Articles
Denver Post, May 15, 19073525
A Golden Wedding
(New York World.)
MARRIED TO TWO WOMEN for fifty years! Living with both of them for half a century, all three people in one house a good part of the time, with never a cloud to darken the horizon of domestic joy.
This claim to distinction belongs indisputably to Absalom Woolf of Hyde Park, a little village near Logan, Utah, and his two wives, Lucy Ann and Harriet, who, on April 19, in the presence of seventeen children and more than a hundred grandchildren and great-grandchildren, celebrated the event that has made them famous. The happy trio are still receiving the congratulations of their co-religionists.
They receive them all in wonderment, yet in indifference, for, having walked in humble paths all their days, they have outgrown the desire for worldly acclaim, and really see nothing remarkable in the fact that they ahve lived and labored together for fifty long years in almost perfect harmony, and in the same peaceful atmosphere.
"IF I HAD KNOWN that it owuld have raised such a commotion," says Mr. Woolf, "I don't believe we'd a had any golden weddin', 'cause we're just common folk and don't want people makin' a fuss over us because we've lived together happy for fifty years; if we hadn't intended to do so, why, we wouldn't have got married, so you se we done more'n our duty."
But people honor the Woolfs not alone for their admirable exmaple of marital felicity, but because all three are pioneers of '47—people who came West with Brigham Young's sturdy band two years before the great rush to the California gold fields. Then, too, they were among the first settlers of the valley, coming in the year 1861. Speaking of the trip from the central part of the state to the valley, one of the wives—Lucy Ann—says:
"Well, it's wonderfully different now, isn't it? The other day my sister came up to see me, and she made the trip from Manti in one day; when we came up in '61 it took us three weeks, and such weather as we had. I drove a team and carried a baby in my arms and every night we stopped we were both drenched through and through. I ain't never wanted to travel between here and Manti since, although of course it's nice to ride on the railway now."
MR. WOOLF was married to his wives on the same day, April 19, 1857, the ceremony being performed in the Mormon Endowment house in Salt Lake City. The names of the young women were Lucy Ann Hambleton and Harriet Wood, and they were each just beyond their sixteenth year. Miss Hambleton was born in Cass county, indiana, and Miss Wood in Illinois. The husband was born in Pelham, Westchester county, New York, in 1832. There is a romance connected with his marriage to the two young women.
In those days it was customary, in Utah at least, for persons to marry at an early age. Mr. Woolf had been "keeping company" with Miss Wood for some time and they were practically engaged. They were living one hundred miles south of Salt Lake City, at Nephi. Salt Lake City, then as now, was a Mormon Mecca to which all devout Latter-Day Saints journey to attend the semi-annual conferences of the church. Upon one such pilgramage Miss Wood remained in Salt Lake City with friends. There was no mail service in Utah in those days, and so the only way the sweethearts had of communicating with each other was by means of riders or freighters passing between the two points.
Word finally reached Mr. Woolf that this sweetheart had deserted him and married some other man in Salt Lake City. This report reached him several times, and although it "cut him up pretty bad," as he puts it, he determined not to pine for the faithless one, but to seek another.
Miss Hambleton had already evinced a fondness for him, and in trying to rid his mind of the other girl he found great comfort in her affection. About the time they were ready to wed, Miss Wood returned from the city and at once made it plain that she was not married to any Salt Laker, nor had she ever entertained a hope or thought of such a union.
"APPY," as Mr. Woolf is familiarly called, was in a pretty pickle—both young women were in love with him and he had made love to both. What was he to do? After turning the matter over in his mind he decided that in fairness he could do but one thing, turn away from both women and wait for future developments to determine which of the two really loved him, believing the one with a passing fancy for him would soon turn to another. But he soon learned in no uncertain way that the affection which each woman held for him was deep-rooted and enduring, so he sought his bishop for advice.
"Marry 'em both, my boy, marry 'em both," was the counse of the shepherd of the flock to which young Woolf belonged.
Polygamy was a principle of the Mormon faith, and the young pioneer was a devout religionist. He accepted the advice and laid the matter before his two sweethearts. They acquiesced in his decision, and in April, 1857, they journeyed to Zion's central city and were there united to the one many they loved. After fifty years of life together neither has any regrets.
FOR MANY years the two wives had but one home, yet they hever had a serious quarrel or dispute. Their neighbors attest the truth of that statement, while they marvel at the even dispositions of the members of this trio.
The union has been a very fruitful one, too. Lucy Ann has borne her husband twelve children, while Harriet has presented him with ten. Each wife has buried three. All the children are grown, and there is not a black sheep in the flock. They are scattered all over the Western county, in Idaho, Oregon and other states and Canada. Nearly all are well-to-do farmers; a few are in business. Mr. Woolf and his wives have, all told 110 grandchildren and twenty-one great grandchildren, a total of 153 descendants. About two-thirds of this number were present at the golden wedding celebration.
Mr. Woolf was disposed to resist the new laws, but, on advice of the church authorities, finally consented to make his home with Lucy Ann. But Harriet lives close by, and the two households lovingly mingle and the two wives stood together in the golden wedding.
Obituaries
Leavenworth Echo, February 25, 19104089
No Race Suicide Here
Absalom Woolf, a pioneer of Utah, died last Friday at Hyde Park, Utah, leaving 153 descendants.
"Abby" Woolf, as he was called, had the distinction of marrying two wives on the same day under the rites of the Mormon church. Fifty years later, on April 19, 1907, he celebrated a double golden wedding. He boasted that he never had a quarrel with either of his wives during his lifetime.
Woolf was an Indian scout of ame in the early days of Utah. He is survived by a family of 22 sons and daughters and a total of 153 descendants.
Logan Republican, April 20, 19124090
SUDDEN DEATH AT HYDE PARK
Mrs. Harriet Woolf, wife of the late Absalom Woolfe of Hyde Park, died suddenly at her residence at 5:30 o'clock last evening. Mrs. Woolf was 71 years of age, but was considered by all to be strong and healthy.
She did her usual day's work yesterday and was chatting with a grandchild when stricken with severe pains in the region of the abdomen. Neighbors were called in and a doctor summoned. Mrs. Mary Hancey and David Grant did all possible to revive the lady, but death came before medical aid could be obtained. Deceas[e]d is well known throughout the stake as a religious worker and was known at home as a lovable disposition. She was a sister of Bishop George O. Pitkin of Millville. Announcement of funeral will be made later.
The Logan Republican, April 27, 19123532
Hyde Park, April 24.—The funeral of Mrs. Harriet Woolf was held in the meeting house April 24th at 1 p. m. Although the day was cold and stormy the house was well filled with friends and neighbors. The speakers were Suel Lam, William G. Reese, Lorenzo Petersen, James Z. Stewart, James Hovey, Bishop William Hyde, Willard Cranney, Orson Smith and Bishop Charles G. Hyde. The choir sang "Though Deepening Trials Throng Your Way," "Keep Me Near to Thee." The solo part was sung by Arthur Petersen, who also sang, "Some Day We'll Understand. The closing number was "Oh, Praise Him." The opening prayer was offered by Elder George F. Ashcroft and the benediction pronounced by Elder Lars C. Petersen. The cortege was a long one, there being twenty-three vehicles. Elder Charles England dedicated the grave. The speakers told of the many hardships the deceased had endured in the early days of Utah, during the grasshopper plagues and Indian troubles; of her devotion to her religion and of her kindness to the poor and oppressed. No one ever sought her counsel of assistance in vain. She had faithfully obeyed every principle of the gospel as revealed to her, and the speakers felt that a rich reward was in store for her.
Mrs. Harriet Woods Woolf was the daughter of Martin and Esther Woods, was born in Quincey, Adams county, Ill., October 30, 1840; was the oldest child of the family. With her father's family she came to Utah in 1849. The Woods family first settled in Manti, later in Nephi, and a few years later in Farmington. Miss Woods was married to Absalom Woolf in the endowment house at Salt Lake City, April 19, 1857. Mr. Woolf had previously married Miss Lucy Hamilton. Ten children were born to Sister Harriet. Four sons and six daughters, and the four sons survive her. There are fifty-two grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren. No one of them have ever turned aside from the truth. Sister Woolf has been one of the prominent figures of Hyde Park since 1866. She was the president of the Primary association for several years and was greatly loved by the children. She also was councilor in the relief society and was always engaged in seeking to uplift and bless those with whom she came in contact. The opportunities for obtaining an education in her youth were very meagre, yet with an ambition to learn and to do she finally by an economic use of her time, became a well educated woman. Few women were better posted on all general topics than was Sister Harriet. Few families under the trying circumstances they were placed in, ever lived more in peace and love than did the two families of Brother Absalom Woolf. Between Lucy and Harriet there ever seemed to be the love of a Ruth and Naoma. Sister Woolf was a mother indeed to several of her motherless grandchildren, who she has partly raised. She ever bore a strong testimony to the divinity of the gospel and passed away honored and loved by all who knew her, and in a firm belief of a glorious resurrection and a life beyond the grave.
Census Records
| Date | Location | Enumerated Names |
|---|---|---|
| November 11, 18503522 | Pottawattamie County, Iowa | |
| August 16, 18603531 | Nephi, Juab, Utah |
|
| July 30, 18703530 | Hyde Park, Cache, Utah |
|
| June 19, 18803524 | Benson, Cache, Utah |
|
| June 9, 19003528 | Hyde Park, Cache, Utah |
|
| April 21, 19103529 | Hyde Park, Cache, Utah |
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