Charles C. Rich

Charles C. Rich

1809–1883 (74 years)

Hometown: Campbell County, Kentucky

Biography

Charles C. Rich was an apostle from 1849 until his death in 1883. A Kentucky native who converted young, Rich was a prominent colonizer and military leader in early Mormon history.

Rich helped found San Bernardino, California, as a Mormon colony and later Bear Lake, Idaho. He practiced polygamy with six wives. He served in Mormon militias and was involved in various conflicts during the church’s early western settlement.

His colonizing work helped extend Mormon influence across the American West during the settlement period.

Served Under

Church presidents during this leader's apostolic service:

Brigham Young
Brigham Young
John Taylor
John Taylor

Wives (6)

Charles C. Rich was a polygamist with 6 wives. Note these are simultaneous marriages — married to multiple living spouses at the same time. 4 of these wives were a teenager (18 or less) at the time of marriage.

6 wives · Lifespan: 1809–1883

Sarah DeArmon Pea
1838–1883 (45 yrs)
Eliza Ann Graves
1845–1883 (38 yrs)
Mary Ann Phelps
1845–1883 (38 yrs)
Sarah Jane Peck
1846–1883 (37 yrs)
Emeline Grover
1846–1883 (37 yrs)
Harriet Sargent
1847–1883 (36 yrs)
1809 (born) 1828 1847 1866 1883 (died)
Wife

31 children from 5 wives · Lifespan: 1809–1883

Sarah DeArmon Pea
9 children
Eliza Ann Graves
3 children
Mary Ann Phelps
7 children
Sarah Jane Peck
6 children
Emeline Grover
6 children
1809 (born) 1828 1847 1866 1883 (died)
Wife Child born

6 wives · Ages at marriage

Her age His age Teenage bride (<18)
#NameBornDiedMarriedHer AgeHis AgeAge DiffChildren
1
Sarah DeArmon Pea
Aug 6, 1810Feb 16, 1893 Feb 11, 1838 272819
2
Eliza Ann Graves ⚠
Apr 18, 1827May 22, 1897 Jan 3, 1845 1735183
3
Mary Ann Phelps
Jun 12, 1824Aug 15, 1912 Jan 6, 1845 2035157
4
Sarah Jane Peck ⚠
Mar 25, 1828Dec 18, 1908 Jan 15, 1846 1736196
5
Emeline Grover ⚠
Aug 20, 1831Apr 12, 1915 Feb 2, 1846 1436226
6
Harriet Sargent ⚠
Nov 8, 1832Aug 22, 1909 Mar 28, 1847 1437234

Children (35)

With Sarah DeArmon Pea  (9 children)

  1. Sarah Jane Rich (b. Mar 4, 1839)
  2. Joseph Coulson Rich (b. Jan 16, 1841)
  3. Atrimessia Rich (b. Jan 15, 1843)
  4. Charles Coulson Rich Jr. (b. Sep 2, 1844)
  5. John Thomas Rich (b. Dec 15, 1846)
  6. Elizabeth Rich (b. Oct 6, 1849)
  7. David Patton Rich (b. Apr 8, 1853)
  8. Benjamin Erastus Rich (b. Nov 7, 1855)
  9. Frederick Carmel Rich (b. Jul 19, 1859)

With Eliza Ann Graves  (3 children)

  1. Mary Bratton Rich (b. Feb 11, 1846)
  2. Eliza Ann Rich (b. Nov 14, 1848)
  3. Frances Phoebe Rich (b. Jun 30, 1850)

With Mary Ann Phelps  (7 children)

  1. Laura Esphena Rich (b. Sep 25, 1848)
  2. Mary Ann Rich (b. May 15, 1850)
  3. William Lyman Rich (b. Aug 9, 1852)
  4. Minerva Marion Rich (b. Aug 7, 1854)
  5. Morris Marion Rich (b. Aug 7, 1854)
  6. Amassa Mason Rich (b. Oct 25, 1856)
  7. Paulina Phelps Rich (b. Apr 21, 1859)

With Sarah Jane Peck  (6 children)

  1. Hyrum Smith Rich (b. Oct 8, 1846)
  2. Henrietta Rich (b. Jul 30, 1849)
  3. Orissa Rich (b. Oct 6, 1851)
  4. Orson Rich (b. Oct 6, 1851)
  5. Samantha Rich (b. Oct 18, 1853)
  6. Henry Benjamin Rich (b. Dec 15, 1855)

With Emeline Grover  (6 children)

  1. Thomas Grover Rich (b. Dec 30, 1849)
  2. Caroline Whiting Rich (b. Jan 22, 1852)
  3. Nancy Emeline Rich (b. Feb 19, 1854)
  4. Landon Jedediah Rich (b. Mar 11, 1858)
  5. Samuel Joseph Rich (b. May 1, 1860)
  6. Heber Charles Chase Rich (b. Aug 8, 1863)

With Harriet Sargent  (4 children)