Erastus Snow

Erastus Snow

1818–1888 (69 years)

Hometown: St. Johnsbury, Vermont

Biography

Erastus Snow was an apostle from 1849 until his death in 1888. A Vermont native and early convert, Snow was a prolific colonizer and missionary.

Snow practiced polygamy extensively, marrying 16 wives. He helped establish settlements in southern Utah and was instrumental in the St. George area’s development. He also served missions to Scandinavia, helping establish the church in Denmark.

His colonizing work across the Mormon corridor made him one of the most influential settlement leaders of his era.

Served Under

Church presidents during this leader's apostolic service:

Brigham Young Brigham Young 1801–1877 (76 years) John Taylor John Taylor 1808–1887 (78 years)

Wives (5)

Erastus Snow was a polygamist with 5 marriages. 1 of these wives were teenagers at the time of marriage.

Marriage Age Comparison

5 wives · Ages at marriage

Her age His age Teenage bride (<18)
#NameMarriage DateHer AgeHis AgeAge DiffChildren
1 Artemisia Beman Dec 13, 1838 1920111
2 Minerva White Apr 2, 1844 212546
3 Elizabeth Rebecca Ashby ⚠ Dec 19, 1847 1629133
4 Julia Josephine Spencer Apr 11, 1856 1837195
5 Anna Neilsson Apr 15, 1862 364370

Children (25)

With Artemisia Beman (11 children)

  1. Sarah Lucina Snow (b. Jan 21, 1841)
  2. James Snow (b. Apr 28, 1842)
  3. Charles Henry Snow (b. Apr 28, 1842)
  4. Mahonri Moriancumer Snow (b. Mar 15, 1844)
  5. Artemisia Snow (b. Jan 4, 1847)
  6. Erastus Beman Snow (b. May 10, 1853)
  7. Franklin Richards Snow (b. Sep 21, 1854)
  8. Mary Louisa Snow (b. May 13, 1856)
  9. Moroni Snow (b. May 13, 1858)
  10. Orson Pratt Snow (b. Mar 28, 1860)
  11. George Albert Snow (b. Oct 31, 1863)

With Minerva White (6 children)

  1. Nephi Snow (b. Jun 15, 1845)
  2. Mary Minerva Snow (b. Oct 1, 1846)
  3. Erastus White Snow (b. Jan 27, 1849)
  4. Willard Trowbridge Snow (b. Nov 16, 1853)
  5. Susan Snow (b. Jul 9, 1856)
  6. Hyrum Smith Snow (b. Jan 23, 1859)

With Elizabeth Rebecca Ashby (3 children)

  1. Elizabeth Ashby Snow (b. Mar 24, 1854)
  2. Florence Ashby Snow (b. Jun 16, 1856)
  3. Josephine Snow (b. Jul 19, 1859)

With Julia Josephine Spencer (5 children)

  1. Edward Hunter Snow (b. Jun 23, 1865)
  2. William Spencer Snow (b. Jul 21, 1867)
  3. Amelia Snow (b. Jan 15, 1871)
  4. Joseph Smith Snow (b. Feb 11, 1873)
  5. Mary Brown Snow (b. Oct 8, 1875)