’Aunt Marian’ Dead
Wife of the Late Apostle Orson Pratt Passes Away This Morning
Many persons will learn with sadness of the death of Marian Ross Pratt, wife of the late Apostle Orson Pratt and affectionately known among hundreds of people as ‘Aunt Marian.’
Her death occurred at the family residence, 372 Third North street, at 7:05 o’clock this morning, after an illness of three weeks, caused by general debility Mrs. Pratt was in every way a meet worthy and honorable woman, loved and respected by all who knew her. Her maiden name was Marian Ross. She was born in Glasgow, Scotland, on August 23rd, 1830. She came to Utah in 1851 and a year later was wedded to Apostle Orson Pratt. She leaves five living children of her own and seven others that she adopted. Her own children are: Milson R. Pratt, Mrs. Willard Weihe, Mrs. James Douglas of Ogden, Ray R. Pratt of San Francisco and Mrs. Alvin A. Beesley. Her funeral will take place from the Twenty-second ward meeting house at 4 p.m., on Sunday next. Her remains can be viewed by friends at the family residence on the day of the obsequies.
[Deseret News, July 19, 1901, 2]
[transcribed and proofread by David Grow, Jan. 2006]
Death of the Widow of Apostle Orson Pratt.
The death of another of Utah’s pioneer women is chronicled. Marion Ross Pratt laid down her life at 7 o’clock yesterday morning at the old homestead, 372 West Third North, after an active career extending over nearly a half century in Utah. She was the widow of Apostle Orson Pratt, the first of the pioneers to enter Salt Lake valley. Mrs. Pratt had been in failing health for a number of years and three weeks ago was compelled to take to her bed. Her demise is ascribed to general debility.
Marion Ross Pratt was born in Glasgow, Scotland, Aug. 23, 1830, and would have been 71 years of age next month. Her parents were Margaret and Robert Ross, who lived at Edinburgh. She came to America and to Utah in 1851, accompanied by Apostle Pratt, who converted her while on a mission to Great Britain and in 1852 they were married in this city.
Mrs. Pratt has always been prominent in church work, especially that pertaining to the care of the poor. Her home was for many years a boarding house kept up by the church for the poor immigrants and she was until her last days an active worker in the Relief society.
Two of Mrs. Pratt’s sons met tragic deaths. Sam, an adopted child, was scalded to death, and Jerod perished in a snowstorm in Nevada. She had six of her own children, five of whom survive her. They are Mrs. Willard Weihe, Nelson R. Pratt, Mrs. Irintha P. Douglas, Ray R. Pratt and Ruby P. Beesley. Mrs. Pratt has also two adopted sons, and she raised six of Apostle Pratt’s children by another wife.
The funeral services will be held in the Twenty-second ward meeting house Sunday at 4 p.m.
[Transcribed by Roy Avondet and Nora Fowers; Apr. 2012]
-End-