Home Button

Menu button


Page Top button

Page bottom button


IITHOMAS DUNCOMB DEE 1844-1905
Website Link Index

Orson Pratt Brown's Relations through CJB and (3)Esther Jones

section header - biography

Thomas Duncomb Dee 1844-1905

Thomas Duncomb Dee

Born: November 10, 1844 at Llanelly, Caermarthenshire, Wales
Died: July 9, 1905 at Ogden, Weber, Utah

Thomas Duncombe Dee was born in Llanelli (historically known as Llanelly), Caermarthenshire, South Wales, on November 10, 1844. His father [Thomas Hill Dee 1812-1877], who was a potter, and his mother [Elizabeth Reese Dee 1812-1892] became converts to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and emigrated to the United States in 1850. They sailed across the Atlantic, landed in New York City, and then made their way by railroad and ox-drawn wagons to Winter Quarters, Nebraska, a staging point for Mormon pioneers bound for Utah.

In 1860, they made the long trip, with the John Ross Company, from Winter Quarters to Salt Lake City, with 16-year-old Thomas driving an ox cart. Another caravan crossed the plains that same year. Among its members was the family of John Taylor, including his eight-year-old daughter, Annie Taylor. She was born November 4, 1852, in Lostock Graylam, Chestershire, England.

Crossing the Plains

In her later years, Annie was to write, in a slim little leather-bound volume, about that trip.
"Our family left Iowa before Lincoln was elected President of the United States.

"On the 24th of May, 1860, we started for the West with an ox team. Our wagon was built with side boards to make it as roomy as possible. There were thirteen in the family. My father and mother loaded the wagon with clothing, bedding and all the food supplies possible for the journey.

"We traveled along, walking most of the way. If any member of the family did not feel well or was too tired, that person rode a while; but otherwise all walked most of the way to Utah. We were glad at night when it was time to camp, but were always eager to start again in the morning. At noon, we stopped a while for lunch. For the noon meal we did not make fires or unpack more than was necessary. We always tried to stop near water. Our family had two cows, and our lunch generally consisted of bread and milk or something easily served. I have never cared for bread and milk since that time."

Annie's father was a tailor and set up his Salt Lake City shop on Main Street, just a few doors from South Temple. Here he made clothing, mostly for officers at Fort Douglas, who furnished their own materials. As she grew older, Annie helped in the shop with the sewing.

A beautiful and talented girl, Annie sang in the Tabernacle Choir and played some small roles in the Salt Lake Theater. She recalled that the theater had a dirt floor and the audience sat on benches. The house was lit with tallow candles with tin reflectors, hung against the wall.

Courtship and Marriage

Very little is recorded about the courtship of Annie Taylor and Thomas Dee. In her own book, "Memories of a Pioneer," Annie says only:
"On January 10, 1870, the railway reached Salt Lake City. There were thousands of people who came from all over the state to celebrate the event. The Fort Douglas band marched down to the celebration. In Ogden, the railway company gave complimentary tickets to a great many citizens. Thomas D. Dee and his mother came to Salt Lake City. They were distant relatives of ours. They came to visit us, and when they returned my sister and I went to Ogden and stayed a few days."

However, the Dee family has preserved two illuminating letters. From Ogden, young Thomas wrote to Annie's father:

January 15, 1871

Mr. John Taylor

I have no other apology to offer for writing to you than that I never have had an opportunity to speak to you on a subject that I should have consulted you about before.

Of course it has been known to you that for some time past your daughter Annie and myself have been corresponding with each other, and that I have made occasional visits to her; well, such things generally lead to something more important, at least this has done so, and the object of this letter is to ask your consent for us to get married. I don't know that I need add any more, but hoping to hear from you soon and that my request will receive your favorable consideration.

I remain yours truly,

Thomas D. Dee.


The reply was:
January 24, 1871.

"Dear Sir:

Your letter was duly received and in regard to my daughter Annie I know of no reason why I should not give my consent for her to become your wife. It is my wish that she should have a husband of her own choice, a man whom she could honour and respect as Husband, and one who will have wisdom enough to make her an honourable wife, so that both may be happy and contented.

"If you are essentially agreed in this matter and believe it will be for each others happiness to be Husband and Wife you have my permission and are at liberty to make your own arrangements.

"I think this is all that I need to say on this occasion.

Accept my kind regards,

Respectfully yours,

John Taylor"


On April 10, 1871, Annie Taylor and Thomas Dee were married in the Endowment House in Salt Lake City, and came to Ogden to live. Their first home in Ogden was a two-room adobe house on 22nd Street near Wall Avenue. After the birth of a son, Thomas Reese Dee, and three daughters - Maude Dee, Elizabeth Dee, and Margaret Dee - they found the house too small and moved "out into the country" on Washington Boulevard at 8th Street. This became the family home and three more girls - Edith Dee, Florence Dee and Rosabelle Dee - and a boy, Lawrence Dee, were born there.

 

Carpenter by Trade

Thomas was energetic, industrious, sound of judgment and had a great desire to succeed in whatever he was doing. He followed the carpenter's trade, which he had learned as a youth in Wales, and became interested in many business activities and civic enterprises.

The happy family was struck by tragedy in 1894, when the oldest son, Thomas Reese Dee, then 21, became ill. His illness was diagnosed as "inflammation of the bowel," and the first appendectomy was performed in Ogden on the family's dining room table in an effort to save his life. However, the appendix had ruptured, and he died shortly after.

This tragedy left a lasting impression on his mother and she determined to do something, if possible, to help the sick.

Self-Educated

Thomas Dee was a self-educated man, with less than two years of formal schooling. Hungry for knowledge, he assembled a large library and taught himself through reading.

At various times, he served as president of Ogden's first library, as assessor and tax collector, city councilman and police court judge. He was associated with the Ogden School Board for 35 years, serving as president for eight years. He was appointed to the State Board of Equalization and was a member of the State Tax Commission for a number of years.

With a friend, David Eccles, he became interested in the lumber business at Baker, Oregon. This profitable business still survives as Anderson Lumber Company. He and Mr. Eccles originated the Ogden Sugar Company, and later, the Logan Sugar Company. These two businesses became the nucleus of the Amalgamated Sugar Company. He was active in the First National Bank and the Ogden Savings Bank, now First Security Corporation.

In 1900, he organized and became the first president of Utah Construction Company, predecessor of Utah Construction and Mining Company, later Utah International, an organization with world-wide activities. Thomas continued as president of the company until his death.

Church Man

He did not neglect his LDS Church duties, serving as Counselor in the Mound Fort Bishopric and Superintendent of the Sunday School.

In the early 1900s, Thomas Dee became interested in the Ogden City Water Works. It was owned by "Eastern capitalists," as they were called, who gave little local service, and it had fallen into a state of disrepair. When it went into receivership, Mr. Dee, Mr. Eccles and some other associates purchased the entire system for $1 at the bankruptcy sale. They planned to restore the system and turn it over to the city. This plan was carried out and, eventually, Ogden City purchased the water system, paying only the amount invested in the restoration.

In July, 1905, Mr. Dee and some of his associates in the water company went to South Fork Canyon to survey the possibilities of an additional water supply. Mr. Dee fell into the river and became chilled. By the time the party returned home he had pneumonia. Once again, Annie Dee watched one of her loved ones suffer. He died July 9, 1905, at the age of 61.

Funeral In Tabernacle

Mr. Dee's funeral, held in the Ogden Tabernacle, was attended by a capacity crowd. Schools were dismissed for the day because of his interest in education, and children lined the streets leading to the Tabernacle.

Mrs. Dee, mourning the death of her husband and remembering her eldest son's death following the surgery performed on her dining room table, enlisted the help of her children and announced her intention to build a hospital as a memorial to her late husband.

In the words of her eldest daughter, Maude Dee Porter, "This was a field entirely outside our knowledge or experience, but we made up for that in our sincerity of purpose."


Thomas D. Dee Hospital

According to David Bingham Dee, Thomas Reese Dee's work managing the seven companies between 1931-1936 that built Hoover Dam [Dee/Wattis/Eccles, along with engineering work by Bechtel] garnered him $16 million dollars. Thomas's son "Tommy" is on the University of Utah Board for the new Art Museum. A Dee always sits on the Board of the hospital.



Sources:

PAF - Archer files = Captain James Brown + (3) Esther Jones > Esther Ellen Brown + James Leech Dee ; James Dee is brother of Thomas Duncomb Dee.

http://www.ihc.com/xp/ihc/mckaydee/aboutus/history/chapter1.xml - Advisor to the family on the above history was Dr. Robert S. Joyce, the 6'4" railroad physician who was like a son to Thomas and Annie Dee.

Additions, bold, by Lucy Brown Archer

Copyright 2001 www.OrsonPrattBrown.org



GO TO BOTTOM OF PAGE

RETURN TO HOME PAGE

To SEARCH THIS SITE: Use the Google.com search engine
Type....site:OrsonPrattBrown.org "TYPE NAME YOU ARE
LOOKING FOR INSIDE PARENTHESIS"...Press ENTER
A list with the search term will appear.

PERSONAL ANCESTRAL FILE
...
Password Access Only

ADDRESS LIST FOR BROWN FAMILY
...
Password Access Only

ORSON PRATT BROWN FAMILY REUNIONS
... Easter 1986 through October 2005


... ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION - BY-LAWS
COMMENTS AND INPUT ON ARTICLES

... Published December 2007:
"ORSON PRATT BROWN AND HIS FIVE WONDERFUL WIVES VOL. I and II"
By Erold C. Wiscombe

... Published March 2009:
"CAPTAIN JAMES BROWN AND HIS 13 WIVES"
(unfortunately the publisher incorrectly changed the photo
and spelling of Phebe Abbott Brown Fife's name
after it was proofed by this author)
Researched and Compiled by
Erold C. Wiscombe

... Published 2012:
"Finding Refuge in El Paso"
By Fred E. Woods [ISBN: 978-1-4621-1153-4]
Includes O.P Brown's activities as Special Church Agent in El Paso
and the Juarez Stake Relief Committee Minutes of 1912.


...Published 2012:
"Colonia Morelos: Un ejemplo de ética mormona
junto al río Bavispe (1900-1912)"
By Irene Ríos Figueroa [ISBN: 978-607-7775-27-0]
Includes O.P. Brown's works as Bishop of Morelos. Written in Spanish.

...Published 2014:
"The Diaries of Anthony W. Ivins 1875 - 1932"
By Elizabeth Oberdick Anderson [ISBN: 978-156085-226-1]
Mentions O.P. Brown more than 30 times as Ivins' companion.

... To be Published Soon:
"CAPTAIN JAMES BROWN 1801-1863:
TEMPER BY NATURE, TEMPERED BY FAITH"

Send Comments and Information to: 
OrsonPrattBrown@gmail.com


ORSON PRATT BROWN FAMILY UPDATES

... FAMILY GROUP PHOTOS
...
FAMILY REUNIONS

... FAMILY GET TOGETHERS

... Lily Gonzalez Brown 80th Birthday Party-Reunion
July 14, 2007 in American Fork, Utah

...Gustavo Brown Family Reunion in October 2007

... FAMILY MEMBERS WHO DIED RECENTLY
... NEWS, WEDDINGS, BABIES, MORE
... HELP US IDENTIFY THESE ANCESTORS
Send Additions and Information to:
OrsonPrattBrown@gmail.com


ORSON PRATT BROWN 1863-1946

...... Wives and 35 Children Photo Chart
...... Chronology
...... Photo Gallery of OPB
...... Letters

ORSON'S JOURNALS AND BIOGRAPHIES

...... Biographical Sketch of the Life Orson Pratt Brown
...... History of Orson Pratt Brown by Orson P. Brown
...... Journal & Reminiscences of Capt. Orson P. Brown
...... Memories of Orson P. Brown by C. Weiler Brown
...... Orson Pratt Brown by "Hattie" Critchlow Jensen
...... Orson Pratt Brown by Nelle Spilsbury Hatch
...... Orson Pratt Brown by W. Ayrd Macdonald


ORSON PRATT BROWN'S PARENTS
- Captain James Brown 1801-1863

...... Wives and 29 / 43 Children Photo Chart
...... Captain James Brown's Letters & Journal
...... Brown Family Memorabilia
...... Mormon Battalion 1846-1847
...... Brown's Fort ~ then Brownsville, Utah
...... Chronology of Captain James Brown

- Phebe Abbott Brown Fife 1831-1915

- Colonel William Nicol Fife - Stepfather 1831-1915


ORSON'S GRANDPARENTS

- James Brown of Rowan County, N.C. 1757-1823

- Mary Williams of Rowan County, N.C. 1760-1832

- Stephen Joseph Abbott of, PA 1804-1843

- Abigail Smith of Williamson, N.Y. 1806-1889

- John Fife of Tulliallan, Scotland 1807-1874

- Mary Meek Nicol, Carseridge, Scotland 1809-1850 


ORSON PRATT BROWN'S 5 WIVES

- Martha "Mattie" Diana Romney Brown 1870-1943

- Jane "Jennie" Bodily Galbraith Brown 1879-1944

- Elizabeth Graham MacDonald Webb Brown 1874-1904

- Eliza Skousen Brown Abbott Burk 1882-1958

- Angela Maria Gavaldón Brown 1919-1967


ORSON PRATT BROWN'S 35 CHILDREN

- (Martha) Carrie Brown (child) 1888-1890

- (Martha) Orson Pratt Brown, Jr. (child) 1890-1892

- (Martha) Ray Romney Brown 1892-1945

- (Martha) Clyde Romney Brown 1893-1948

- (Martha) Miles Romney Brown 1897-1974

- (Martha) Dewey B. Brown 1898-1954

- (Martha) Vera Brown Foster Liddell Ray 1901-1975

- (Martha) Anthony Morelos Brown 1904-1970

- (Martha) Phoebe Brown Chido Gardiner 1906-1973

- (Martha) Orson Juarez Brown 1908-1981

- (Jane) Ronald Galbraith Brown 1898-1969

- (Jane) Grant "Duke" Galbraith Brown 1899-1992

- (Jane) Martha Elizabeth Brown Leach Moore 1901-1972

- (Jane) Pratt Orson Galbraith Brown 1905-1960

- (Jane) William Galbraith Brown (child) 1905-1912

- (Jane) Thomas Patrick Porfirio Diaz Brown 1907-1978

- (Jane) Emma Jean Galbraith Brown Hamilton 1909-1980

- (Elizabeth) (New born female) Webb 1893-1893


- (Elizabeth) Elizabeth Webb Brown Jones 1895-1982

- (Elizabeth) Marguerite Webb Brown Shill 1897-1991

- (Elizabeth) Donald MacDonald Brown 1902-1971

- (Elizabeth) James Duncan Brown 1904-1943

- (Eliza) Gwen Skousen Brown Erickson Klein 1903-1991


- (Eliza) Anna Skousen Brown Petrie Encke 1905-2001

- (Eliza) Otis Pratt Skousen Brown 1907-1987

- (Eliza) Orson Erastus Skousen Brown (infant) 1909-1910

- (Eliza) Francisco Madera Skousen Brown 1911-1912

- (Eliza) Elizabeth Skousen Brown Howell 1914-1999

- (Angela) Silvestre Gustavo Brown 1919-


- (Angela) Bertha Erma Elizabeth Brown 1922-1979

- (Angela) Pauly Gabaldón Brown 1924-1998

- (Angela) Aaron Aron Saul Brown 1925

- (Angela) Mary Angela Brown Hayden Green 1927

- (Angela) Heber Jedediah Brown (infant) 1936-1936

- (Angela) Martha Gabaldón Brown Gardner 1940


ORSON'S SIBLINGS from MOTHER PHEBE

- Stephen Abbott Brown 1851-1853

- Phoebe Adelaide Brown Snyder 1855-1930

- Cynthia Abigail Fife Layton 1867-1943

- (New born female) Fife 1870-1870

- (Toddler female) Fife 1871-1872

ORSON'S 28 SIBLINGS from JAMES BROWN

- (Martha Stephens) John Martin Brown 1824-1888

-
(Martha Stephens) Alexander Brown 1826-1910

-
(Martha Stephens) Jesse Stowell Brown 1828-1905

- (Martha Stephens) Nancy Brown Davis Sanford 1830-1895


-
(Martha Stephens) Daniel Brown 1832-1864

-
(Martha Stephens) James Moorhead Brown 1834-1924

-
(Martha Stephens) William Brown 1836-1904

-
(Martha Stephens) Benjamin Franklin Brown 1838-1863

-
(Martha Stephens) Moroni Brown 1838-1916

- (Susan Foutz) Alma Foutz Brown (infant) 1842-1842

- (Esther Jones) August Brown (infant) 1843-1843

- (Esther Jones) Augusta Brown (infant) 1843-1843

- (Esther Jones) Amasa Lyman Brown (infant) 1845-1845

- (Esther Jones) Alice D. Brown Leech 1846-1865

- (Esther Jones) Esther Ellen Brown Dee 1849-1893

- (Sarah Steadwell) James Harvey Brown 1846-1912


- (Mary McRee) George David Black 1841-1913

- (Mary McRee) Mary Eliza Brown Critchlow1847-1903

- (Mary McRee) Margaret Brown 1849-1855

- (Mary McRee) Mary Brown Edwards Leonard 1852-1930

- (Mary McRee) Joseph Smith Brown 1856-1903

- (Mary McRee) Josephine Vilate Brown Newman 1858-1917

- (Phebe Abbott) Stephen Abbott Brown (child) 1851-1853

- (Phebe Abbott) Phoebe Adelaide Brown 1855-1930

- (Cecelia Cornu) Charles David Brown 1856-1926

- (Cecelia Cornu) James Fredrick Brown 1859-1923

- (Lavinia Mitchell) Sarah Brown c. 1857-

- (Lavinia Mitchell) Augustus Hezekiah Brown c. 1859

ORSON'S 17 SIBLINGS from STEPFATHER FIFE

- (Diane Davis) Sarah Jane Fife White 1855-1932

- (Diane Davis) William Wilson Fife 1857-1897

- (Diane Davis) Diana Fife Farr 1859-1904

- (Diane Davis) John Daniel Fife 1863-1944

- (Diane Davis) Walter Thompson Fife 1866-1827

- (Diane Davis) Agnes Ann "Aggie" Fife 1869-1891

- (Diane Davis ) Emma Fife (child) 1871-1874

- (Diane Davis) Robert Nicol Fife (infant) 1873-1874

- (Diane Davis) Barnard Fife (infant) 1881-1881

- (Cynthia Abbott) Mary Lucina Fife Hutchins 1868-1950

- (Cynthia Abbott) Child Fife (infant) 1869-1869

- (Cynthia Abbott) David Nicol Fife 1871-1924

- (Cynthia Abbott) Joseph Stephen Fife (child) 1873-1878

- (Cynthia Abbott) James Abbott Fife (infant) 1877-1878


ORSON PRATT BROWN'S IN-LAWS

- (Diana) Caroline Lambourne 18461979

- (Diana)  Miles Park Romney 1843-1904

- (Jane) Emma Sarah Bodily 1858-1935

- (Jane) William Wilkie Galbraith 1838-1898

- (Elizabeth) Alexander F. Macdonald 1825-1903

- (Elizabeth) Elizabeth Atkinson 1841-1922

- (Eliza) Anne Kirstine Hansen 1845-1916

- (Eliza) James Niels Skousen 1828-1912

- (Angela) Maria Durán de Holguin 1876-1955

- (Angela) José Tomás Gabaldón 1874-1915


INDEX OF MORMON COLONIES IN MEXICO

INDEX OF MORMON MEXICAN MISSION

INDEX TO POLYGAMY IN UTAH, ARIZONA, MEXICO

INDEX TO MEX. REVOLUTION & THE MORMON EXODUS

INDEX OF SURNAMES

MAPS OF THE MEXICAN COLONIES


BROWN FAMILY MAYFLOWER CONNECTION 1620

BROWN's in AMERICAN REVOLUTION 1775-1783

BROWN's in AMERICAN CIVIL WAR 1861-1865

BROWN's in WARS AFTER 1865

GO TO TOP OF PAGE

Contact Us:
Orson Pratt Brown Family Organization
P.O. Box 980111
Park City, Utah 84098-0111
OrsonPrattBrown@gmail.com