Rich, Ben. E. (Benjamin Erastus), 1855-1913

Benjamin Erastus Rich was born in Salt Lake City on November 7, 1855, as one of the fifty-two children of Charles Coulson Rich (1809-1883). His mother was Rich's first wife, Sarah D. Pea (1814-1893). Ben Rich married Diana Farr in 1877 and went into business in Ogden. He participated in a mission to Great Britain from 1881-1883, and upon his return became an advocate of statehood for Utah, although he and his family moved to Rexburg, Idaho, in 1893. In Idaho Rich purchased what he called the Silver Hammer press and wrote a variety of pamphlets and a book, Mr. Durant of Salt Lake City (1893). From 1898 to 1908 he served as president of the Southern States Mission, and was later president of the Eastern States Mission until the time of his death in New York on September 13, 1913.

From the description of Letter to Sarah D. Pea, 1876, May 22. (Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens). WorldCat record id: 557553740

Benjamin Erastus Rich (1855-1913) was born in Salt Lake City to Charles C. Rich and Sarah D. Pea. He was one of fifty-two polygamous children. He served a mission to Great Britain, from 1881-1883, and returned in charge of nearly 700 immigrating Saints. He moved to Rexberg, Idaho, in 1893 where he took up publishing the Rexburg Press. After playing an active role in the Mormon Utah-Idaho community, he was called as the President of the Southern States Mission. The reception of missionaries during this time was often hostile and Rich faced many difficulties. The scrapbook documents a portion of them. In spite of the challenges, the Southern States Mission soon became considered the most successful in the Church at that time. In 1908 he was called to head the Eastern States Mission where he remained until his death in 1913.

From the guide to the Ben E. Rich Southern States Mission scrapbook, 1899-1902, (J. Willard Marriott Library, University of Utah)