Skelton, Robert Hodgson, 1824-1895

Mormon pioneer, missionary, and public servant who originally emigrated to the United States from England.

From the description of Papers, 1852-1941. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 364953965

From the description of Robert Skelton lithograph, 1850-1890. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 367956613

Mormon pioneer, missionary, and public servant who originally emigrated to the United States from England.

Robert Hodgson Skelton, the fifth of six children, was born November 28, 1824, in Burgh, near the city of Carlisle in Cumberland County, England. Robert, a descendant of prominent courtiers of King Henry VIII, encountered unfortunate circumstances at the age of 6 when his mother and father died. Consequently he was sent to live at the farm of John Nilson. Nilson taught Robert the ways of farming, but also sorely mistreated him. After more than seven years, Robert could no longer tolerate the abuse he received from Nilson and left his farm to find work with other farmers in the country.

In October of 1848 Robert left England on the ship Lord Maidstone and sailed to New Orleans. From there he traveled by steamboat to St. Louis, arriving in November of 1848. It was in St. Louis that Robert first encountered representatives of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints. After studying missionary literature of the Church, he was convinced of its truthfulness. In March 1849, Robert was baptized by Elder James Davidson.

In May 1849, Robert left St. Louis and headed for Council Bluffs. Accompanied by a group of Welsh Latter-day Saints, he traveled on a steamboat commanded by Captain Dan Jones. Cholera struck the passengers and took its toll with many casualties before they reached Council Bluffs.

In 1849 Robert joined a group of pioneers traveling west to Utah. He was assigned to the wagon company of Ezra Taft Benson as driver of his team. The company entered Utah, October 11, 1849. Shortly after his arrival, Robert was sent with Ezra T. Benson and John Rowberry to settle the Tooele Valley, southwest of Salt Lake City.

While in Tooele, Robert worked at Ezra T. Benson's sawmill. After much hard work, he was able to obtain his own farm. Just after Robert had raised his first crop, Benson was called on a mission. He asked Robert to take over business at the sawmill and farm while he was away. Robert served Benson in this capacity for about one year.

On February 3, 1851, Robert was ordained a Seventy by John Young. At a special conference in August of 1852, Elder Skelton was called to serve a mission in India.

Robert and his companions left Salt Lake City October 19, 1852 to begin the grueling trek to San Francisco. After one month of travel, they arrived at their California destination. The missionaries were given money by a wealthy local member of the Church. With this generous donation, the group was able to obtain passage on a ship to India. Robert and others finally left San Francisco on January 29, 1853.

Elder Skelton arrived in Calcutta on April 26, 1853, after 13 weeks at sea. He was sent with Richard Ballantyne to teach the gospel to the people in Madras. Two years later, he returned to Calcutta where he was called to preside over the East India Mission. Although the work in India was difficult, Elder Skelton served faithfully and diligently until he was honorably released from his calling as a full-time missionary. Robert left Calcutta in May and arrived back in Utah November 20, 1856.

On February 16, 1857, a few months after his return to Utah, Robert was married to Angeline Gollaher. They became the parents of twelve children. Robert became a successful farmer and stockman, and was also very active in the community. He was the Mayor of Tooele and a member of the Utah Legislature from 1856-1857. He also served as a member of the Tooele Ward Bishopric. Until his death February 2, 1895, Robert remained an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

From the guide to the Robert H. Skelton collection, 1852-1941, (L. Tom Perry Special Collections)