Daughter of Joseph Bouton and Mary Rebecca Barto
Married Joseph Henry Felt, 24 Dec 1866, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah
History. First General President of the Primary, 45 years; married at 16, no children of her own, but helped raise 8 others.
In the year 1864 Louie's family started for Utah. They had gone only a short distance when the baggage train took fire, and all they owned, but the clothes they wore, were burned. So they returned to Norwalk again and remained two years.
In May 1866, the Bouton family, with a number of missionaries, left South Norwalk for Omaha. But before reaching there Brother Bouton was taken ill and it was necessary for him to rest before continuing the journey. Two of the elders remained with him while Louie and her brothers, Harry and Frank, and the other elders went on to Omaha. A telegram was sent to the elder in charge at Omaha, asking that someone meet the little party and provide them with a suitable home until the father should recover and be able to resume the care of his dear ones.
Joseph H. Felt was in charge of the Saints in Omaha, and had just recently returned from a mission to England, Sweden and Denmark. The telegram was read to the brethren at headquarters and a number of young men wanted to have the privilege of meeting Miss Bouton and her brothers, so they drew lots to see who should meet the boat. The lot fell to Elder Felt who took the carriage and went to meet them.
Louie was just sixteen, with sparkling blue eyes, golden hair, tall, slender and graceful, very dignified in her manner and a true gentlewoman. All these attractions very much impressed this young elder and she was also attracted to him. Four days later, Brother Bouton, who was still very ill, reached Omaha, staying there six weeks before he could continue on to Utah. The company with which the Bouton family traveled reached the Great Salt Lake Valley September 19, 1866, having spent over four months on the journey from South Norwalk. On the 29th of December, 1866, Louie was married to Joseph H. Felt in the Endowment House and the wedding was celebrated in the Felt home with an elaborate party, President Young and many others being there in attendance.
They had been married only a short time when President Brigham Young called them with several other young couples to colonize "The Muddy" now known as Moapa on the Virgin River until the Muddy Mission was finally abandoned.
When her father died, back in Connecticut, he left her some money, which she used to purchase a lot on the southeast corner of Seventh East and First South Streets where they built a two-room adobe house.
Not long after this Louie met Alma Elizabeth "Lizzie" Mineer, a young beautiful girl, who was very accomplished. She was singing in the Ward and Louie loved her as soon as she saw her. She suggested to her husband that she was willing to share his love and their home with "Lizzie" and hoped that some day they would be privileged to share their happiness with some little ones. So Alma Elizabeth Mineer Felt became "Lizzie Ma" and Sarah Louisa Bouton Felt, "Louie Ma" in the Felt home, and love and happiness came to three instead of two. Soon a little girl came to this home. Her name was Louise Ellis Felt. They called her "Little Louie". Then came Vera Inger Felt, and few people could guess just who the mother was, so great was the love of both for these children.
Before "Lizzie Ma's" fourth child was born, polygamy was being prosecuted and the women had to flee to the home of friends for protection and were separated from their husbands and children for months at a time. Joseph had to leave his home and go in one direction and Lizzie Ma, with her baby, in another. Louie Ma kept little Louie and Vera.
When the Retrenchment Association was merged into the Mutual Improvement Association in 1877, Louie Ma was chosen as one of the counselors to Mary Freeze.
Beginning in the month of August, 1878, Eliza R. Snow, Emmeline B. Wells, Zina D. H. Young, M. Isabella Horne, E. Howard, Lula Greene Richards, Sarah M. Kimball and others traveled throughout the Church organizing Primary Associations in rapid succession. Louie became president of the Eleventh Ward Primary of Salt Lake City on September 14, 1878. It was the second primary in the Church, after the one established by Aurelia Spencer Rogers in Farmington.
Lillie Freeze said about her: "Children were fascinated by her gracious manner and she taught them many things." Donations were made by them to help build the Salt Lake Temple. They had May walks, outings to Liberty Park and Garfield Beach, concerts and plays to bring out their talents. The money made from these concerts was used for various things, once to send an elder to England on a mission, another time it was used to bring a family to Zion, and so the work started among the children of the Eleventh Ward with a remarkable attendance —varying from one hundred to one hundred and seventy-five at a time.
Primary Associations soon became part of the auxiliary work throughout the Church. Meetings were usually held once a week, and not only theology, but good manners, the value of punctuality, the need for obedience, the joy of loving service, kindness to each other and to dumb animals were featured. The children were taught to lead in prayer, singing and in various games, and if any talent was perceived it was carefully fostered for the benefit of other members.
Primary organizations increased in members so fast that Stake Committees and a Central Board became imperative. At a Primary session of the Sister's Conference of the Salt Lake Stake held Saturday morning, June 19, 1880, the first Stake Board was organized. Immediately following this action, was sustained General President to preside over all the Primary Associations of all the Stakes of Zion. She was then set apart as General President of the Primary Association of the church, by Pres. John Taylor, which position she held until her death. She was not only the President who presided the longest, but she was the first woman in the history of the Church to be sustained as a General President.
She saw as her main duty the visiting of the various Primaries to encourage the work—a duty that involved much traveling. Under her supervision the organization was divided into ten groups according to age. The next step was to prepare appropriate material for the lessons that would be given in the various groups. The Church could offer the general board no financial assistance in implementing this venture. Undaunted, Mrs. Felt pledged her own home as collateral in order to promote the printing of the Primary's publication, The Children's Friend, begun on Jan. 19, 1902. Also, since the association had no office, these first issues were addressed for mailing in Sister Felt's home.
During the years of 1894 and 1895 Louie Ma with May Anderson attended a Kindergarten class conducted by Miss Chapin, who had come from the East. After receiving their diplomas they opened a private kindergarten in the basement of the little old adobe meetinghouse in the Eleventh Ward on the corner of Eighth East and First South Streets. She also taught Kindergarten during the summer months in the old University Building where the West High School buildings now stand.
Louie's work in the Primary continued. By promoting a feeling of gratefulness for good health among the children, they soon learned sympathy for others who were less fortunate than they and a project was commenced whereby they were able to contribute to a fund by which some sick child was. given medical treatment and hospital care. Under Sister Felt's supervision, a Primary-sponsored children's ward was opened in the Groves LDS Hospital in 1911. In 1922, feeling the need for professional nursing in a homelike atmosphere for children, the old Hyde home on North Temple became the LDS Children's Convalescent Home and Day Nursery. Soon, in addition to members of the organization, every person, old and young was invited to contribute one penny for each year they were old, and the money collected each year during the Penny Drive assisted in defraying the cost of maintaining the hospital and providing medical care.
In 1916, Louise Ellis "Louie" Felt Keysor, the eldest daughter of "Lizzie Ma", passed away and "Louie Ma" took her children, Elsa Keysor, Judith Keysor, Alma May Keysor and Buddy Keysor to live with her. She fed them, helped clothe and educate them, and gave them the love and devotion that only a second Grandmother could give, and was lovingly called "Nana."
As the years went on, she gradually grew too feeble to carry the responsibility of the Primary work and finally was so ill she had to have a trained nurse. For forty-five years Louie Bouton Felt's remarkable influence radiated throughout the Primary organization. She was succeeded by May Anderson, her lifelong friend, October 6, 1925. With "Lizzie Ma" as her faithful companion, she passed away Feb. 13, 1928, at age 77.∼See Sarah Louisa Bouton Felt
Daughter of Joseph Bouton and Mary Rebecca Barte
Married Joseph Henry Felt, 29 Dec 1866, Endowment House, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah
Louie B. Felt — First Primary President. Early French history tells us that the Boutons suffered for the sake of their religion, and were driven, as were other Huguenots from their beloved country. One of the Boutons, named John, went to England because England was offering to send emigrants to America on condition that they would swear allegiance to the crown of England. From England he came to America, landing in Boston, Massachusetts, Dec. 1655. In 1661 he went to Connecticut to help settle a new town called Norwalk, and it was here that Louie Bouton Felt was born on May 5, 1850.
Her father, Joseph, and her mother, Mary Barto Bouton, were very religious, having joined the Latter-day Saint church long before Louie was born. Her childhood was a very happy one, spent in digging clams in the seashore, placing turkey quills in the holes the men had bored in the maple trees in her grandfather Bouton's grove, and placing the buckets underneath to catch the sap. Often she would go sailing in her father's rowboat with her brothers and sister Lillie to dredge oysters. Her father was the president of the Norwalk branch of the Church and in the summertime when the elders would come to their home for a rest under his hospitable roof, he would gather the Saints together and with his family go in boats to an island not far from the Bouton home where they would have a clam bake. This island was named "Nauvoo Island" by President John Taylor.
Louie was baptized when she was eight years old by Brother W. J. Dalton. The baptism took place in one of the coves in which the boats were kept at night. Her early education was received in the district school in Norwalk. One afternoon some ladies came to visit her mother and in a gossipy way told news about another neighbor. Her mother got up and went out of the room and when she did not return, Louie went to find her. "Why did you leave the room, mother?" she asked. Her mother put her arm lovingly around her young daughter and said; "Louie, dear, they were talking about the personal affairs of people which I had no right to hear and did not wish to." It taught her then and there that other people's weaknesses and mistakes were not topics for discussion in her home, and it was one of the things she remembered all her life.
In the year 1864 Louie's family started for Utah. It was a great sacrifice to leave their home in the east and come west to a new country. But her parents, true to the spirit of their ancestors, listened to the call of those in authority, and started for the valleys of the mountains. They had gone only a short distance when the baggage train took fire, and all they owned, but the clothes they wore, were burned. So they returned to Norwalk again and remained two years. In May 1866, the Bouton family, with a number of missionaries left South Norwalk for Omaha, but before reaching there Brother Bouton was taken ill and it was necessary for him to rest before continuing the journey. Two of the elders remained with him while Louie and her brothers, Harry and Frank, and the other elders went on to Omaha. The anxious parents regretted the necessity for separation but trusted the elders, knowing they would do their best to take care of their children. A telegram was sent to the elder in charge at Omaha, asking that someone meet the little party and provide them with a suitable home until the father should recover and be able to resume the care of his dear ones. Joseph H. Felt was in charge of the Saints in Omaha, and had just recently returned from a mission to England, Sweden and Denmark. The telegram was read to the brethren at headquarters and a number of young men wanted to have the privilege of meeting Miss Bouton and her brothers, so they drew lots to see who should meet the boat. The lot fell to Elder Felt who took the carriage and went to meet them.
Louie was just sixteen, with sparkling blue eyes, golden hair, tall, slender and graceful, very dignified in her manner and a true gentlewoman. All these attractions very much impressed this young elder and she was also attracted to him. Four days later, Brother Bouton, who was still very ill, reached Omaha, staying there six weeks before he could continue on to Utah. The company with which the Bouton family traveled reached the Great Salt Lake Valley September 19, 1866, having spent over four months on the journey from South Norwalk. On the 29th of December 1866, Louie was married to Joseph H. Felt in the Endowment House and the wedding was celebrated in the Felt home with an elaborate party, President Young and many others being there in attendance. They had been married only a short time when President Brigham Young called them with several other young couples to colonize "The Muddy" now known as Moapa. They traveled south to St. George, over rough dangerous roads, with rivers and quicksands to cross, but they were young and brave and were doing their duty. They knew that God would protect and bless them at all times. When they reached St. George her husband found an old friend living there who urged him to stay there, telling him it was no place to take a young wife to a wild, uncivilized country, and Joseph was tempted to stay as Louie was not very strong and the journey had been so severe, but he did not know what to do. Finally he said "Louie, what had we better do?" She answered saying, "We were not sent to St. George, we were sent to the Muddy. You may do as you please. I am going on." So they continued their journey. They settled in what is known as St. Thomas, near the Muddy River, living in their wagon until adobes could be made with which to build their home. One of the settlers had preceded them, and had built their home and also a chicken coop. Because of Louie's poor health this family moved their chickens out and told Joseph and his wife to live there until they could build their home.
Finally they decided to build a house so Joseph leveled off a large space of ground where the adobes could dry and dug a shallow hole in which to mix the clay. A mold was made to shape them. Louie made herself a pair of bloomers and said she was ready to help. Joseph filled the hole with clay, added water, then Louie stepped in it with her bare feet and tramped and turned and mixed it until it was smooth and of the proper consistency. Joseph then filled the molds and set them in the sun to bake, and after awhile there were enough adobes to build a house. The floor was of clay spread wet and rubbed smooth. A carpet which they had brought with them was spread over it and fastened with wooden pegs driven into the ground. The roof was made of brush and mud, the windows were openings with muslin stretched over them, and a blanket for their door. Such was their "Home Sweet Home" in the Muddy. The Muddy Mission was finally abandoned and Louie and husband returned home.
Her father, meanwhile, had been very ill and was advised by President Young to return to his home in Norwalk, Connecticut. Louie felt that she should go with her mother on this long journey back, so Joseph told her to go and be a comfort to her parents as they needed her. She had stayed with them a short time when her father said, "Louie you must go back to Utah, to your husband and the Saints." But she answered him saying, "I can't go and leave mother when she needs me so much." "You must go," he said, "I cannot die in peace until I know you are back with the people of God." So she came back and when she arrived telegraphed her mother that she was safe at home, and her father said, "Now I can go in peace." And he passed quietly away. Her father left her some money and instead of putting it in the bank for her own future use she said, "Joseph you have been on one mission after another and have had little time to earn money with which to purchase us a home, so we will use this for one." She purchased the southeast corner of seventh east and first south where they built a two-room adobe house.
Not long after this Louie met Elizabeth Mineer, a young beautiful girl, who was very accomplished. She was singing in the Ward and Louie loved her as soon as she saw her. She suggested to her husband that she was willing to share his love and their home with "Lizzie" and hoped that some day they would be privileged to share their happiness with some little ones. So Lizzie became "Lizzie Ma" and Louie, "Louie Ma" in the Felt home, and love and happiness came to three instead of two. After awhile preparations were made for the Great Event and soon a little girl came to this home. Her name was Louie—"Little Louie" they called her, then after awhile there was Vera, and few people could guess just who the mother was, so great was the love of both for these children.
Before "Lizzie Ma's" fourth child was born, the Gentiles began to persecute the Latter-day Saints who had entered into polygamy, and the women had to flee to the home of friends for protection and were separated from their husbands and children for months at a time. Joseph had to leave his home and go in one direction and Lizzie Ma in another. She took with her, her [p.152] baby, and Louie Ma kept little Louie and Vera. How she loved these little ones and cared for them, and how she longed to have her family together again. When she could not stand the separation any longer she would scheme and plan until she found a way to bring Lizzie Ma home for a little reunion on holiday or birthdays. She would hitch up the horse to the little cart, and in the wee small hours of the night take a long drive out to Lizzie Ma's hiding place and bring her in, well disguised, with her baby tucked safely away in the bottom of the cart. About this time Louie opened her heart and home for another woman to share her home and happiness—Elizabeth Liddell, Aunt Dell. When the raid was over and there was no more danger of persecution of the Saints, Louie told her husband that she wanted to deed a piece of her property to Lizzie Ma and Aunt Dell so they could have a home of their own.
In 1869, President Young organized a society "for the Promotion of habits of order, thrift, industry and charity," and "to retrench from their extravagance in dress, eating, and even in speech." This organization was called the "Retrenchment Association." In 1878 the Retrenchment Association was merged into the Mutual Improvement Association, with Mary Freeze as president and Louie Ma as one of the counselors. On September 14, of the same year, Louie B. Felt was chosen by Eliza R. Snow to be president of the Eleventh Ward Primary Association, the second one organized in the Church. Aunt Lillie Freeze said about her: "Children were fascinated by her gracious manner and she taught them many things." Donations were made by them to help build the Salt Lake Temple. They had May walks, outings to Liberty Park and Garfield Beach, concerts and plays to bring out their talents. The money made from these concerts was used for various things, once to send an elder to England on a mission, another time it was used to bring a family to Zion, and so the work started among the children of the Eleventh Ward with a remarkable attendance—varying from one hundred to one hundred and seventy-five at a time.
During the years of 1894 and 1895 Louie Ma with Sister May Anderson attended a Kindergarten class conducted by Miss Chapin, who had come from the East. After receiving their diplomas they opened a private kindergarten in the basement of the little old adobe meetinghouse in the Eleventh Ward on the corner of eighth east and first south streets. She also taught Kindergarten during the summer months in the old University Building where the West High School buildings now stand.
On the 19th of June, 1880, a conference was held in the Tabernacle, the morning meeting being devoted to the work for children of the Primary Association. At this meeting, Louie B. Felt was set apart as General President of the Primary Association of the church, by Pres. John Taylor, which position she held until her death. She was not only the President who presided the longest, but she was the first woman in the history of the Church to be sustained as a General President. During her Presidency she supervised the rounding of the Children's Hospital on North Temple, where sick crippled children could be cared for whose parents were unable to stand the expense of medical help. The Children's Friend, a Primary magazine, also came out under her supervision. In 1916 Louie, the eldest daughter of "Lizzie Ma," passed away and "Louie Ma" took her children, Elsa, Judith, Alma May and Buddy Keysor to live with her. She fed them, helped clothe and educate them, and gave them the love and devotion that only a second Grandmother could give, and was lovingly called "Nana."
As the years went on, she gradually grew too feeble to carry the responsibility of the Primary work and finally was so ill she had to have a trained nurse. With "Lizzie Ma" as her faithful companion, she passed away Feb. 13, 1928.
Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 15, p. 148
Married Joseph Henry Felt, 24 Dec 1866, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah
History. First General President of the Primary, 45 years; married at 16, no children of her own, but helped raise 8 others.
In the year 1864 Louie's family started for Utah. They had gone only a short distance when the baggage train took fire, and all they owned, but the clothes they wore, were burned. So they returned to Norwalk again and remained two years.
In May 1866, the Bouton family, with a number of missionaries, left South Norwalk for Omaha. But before reaching there Brother Bouton was taken ill and it was necessary for him to rest before continuing the journey. Two of the elders remained with him while Louie and her brothers, Harry and Frank, and the other elders went on to Omaha. A telegram was sent to the elder in charge at Omaha, asking that someone meet the little party and provide them with a suitable home until the father should recover and be able to resume the care of his dear ones.
Joseph H. Felt was in charge of the Saints in Omaha, and had just recently returned from a mission to England, Sweden and Denmark. The telegram was read to the brethren at headquarters and a number of young men wanted to have the privilege of meeting Miss Bouton and her brothers, so they drew lots to see who should meet the boat. The lot fell to Elder Felt who took the carriage and went to meet them.
Louie was just sixteen, with sparkling blue eyes, golden hair, tall, slender and graceful, very dignified in her manner and a true gentlewoman. All these attractions very much impressed this young elder and she was also attracted to him. Four days later, Brother Bouton, who was still very ill, reached Omaha, staying there six weeks before he could continue on to Utah. The company with which the Bouton family traveled reached the Great Salt Lake Valley September 19, 1866, having spent over four months on the journey from South Norwalk. On the 29th of December, 1866, Louie was married to Joseph H. Felt in the Endowment House and the wedding was celebrated in the Felt home with an elaborate party, President Young and many others being there in attendance.
They had been married only a short time when President Brigham Young called them with several other young couples to colonize "The Muddy" now known as Moapa on the Virgin River until the Muddy Mission was finally abandoned.
When her father died, back in Connecticut, he left her some money, which she used to purchase a lot on the southeast corner of Seventh East and First South Streets where they built a two-room adobe house.
Not long after this Louie met Alma Elizabeth "Lizzie" Mineer, a young beautiful girl, who was very accomplished. She was singing in the Ward and Louie loved her as soon as she saw her. She suggested to her husband that she was willing to share his love and their home with "Lizzie" and hoped that some day they would be privileged to share their happiness with some little ones. So Alma Elizabeth Mineer Felt became "Lizzie Ma" and Sarah Louisa Bouton Felt, "Louie Ma" in the Felt home, and love and happiness came to three instead of two. Soon a little girl came to this home. Her name was Louise Ellis Felt. They called her "Little Louie". Then came Vera Inger Felt, and few people could guess just who the mother was, so great was the love of both for these children.
Before "Lizzie Ma's" fourth child was born, polygamy was being prosecuted and the women had to flee to the home of friends for protection and were separated from their husbands and children for months at a time. Joseph had to leave his home and go in one direction and Lizzie Ma, with her baby, in another. Louie Ma kept little Louie and Vera.
When the Retrenchment Association was merged into the Mutual Improvement Association in 1877, Louie Ma was chosen as one of the counselors to Mary Freeze.
Beginning in the month of August, 1878, Eliza R. Snow, Emmeline B. Wells, Zina D. H. Young, M. Isabella Horne, E. Howard, Lula Greene Richards, Sarah M. Kimball and others traveled throughout the Church organizing Primary Associations in rapid succession. Louie became president of the Eleventh Ward Primary of Salt Lake City on September 14, 1878. It was the second primary in the Church, after the one established by Aurelia Spencer Rogers in Farmington.
Lillie Freeze said about her: "Children were fascinated by her gracious manner and she taught them many things." Donations were made by them to help build the Salt Lake Temple. They had May walks, outings to Liberty Park and Garfield Beach, concerts and plays to bring out their talents. The money made from these concerts was used for various things, once to send an elder to England on a mission, another time it was used to bring a family to Zion, and so the work started among the children of the Eleventh Ward with a remarkable attendance —varying from one hundred to one hundred and seventy-five at a time.
Primary Associations soon became part of the auxiliary work throughout the Church. Meetings were usually held once a week, and not only theology, but good manners, the value of punctuality, the need for obedience, the joy of loving service, kindness to each other and to dumb animals were featured. The children were taught to lead in prayer, singing and in various games, and if any talent was perceived it was carefully fostered for the benefit of other members.
Primary organizations increased in members so fast that Stake Committees and a Central Board became imperative. At a Primary session of the Sister's Conference of the Salt Lake Stake held Saturday morning, June 19, 1880, the first Stake Board was organized. Immediately following this action, was sustained General President to preside over all the Primary Associations of all the Stakes of Zion. She was then set apart as General President of the Primary Association of the church, by Pres. John Taylor, which position she held until her death. She was not only the President who presided the longest, but she was the first woman in the history of the Church to be sustained as a General President.
She saw as her main duty the visiting of the various Primaries to encourage the work—a duty that involved much traveling. Under her supervision the organization was divided into ten groups according to age. The next step was to prepare appropriate material for the lessons that would be given in the various groups. The Church could offer the general board no financial assistance in implementing this venture. Undaunted, Mrs. Felt pledged her own home as collateral in order to promote the printing of the Primary's publication, The Children's Friend, begun on Jan. 19, 1902. Also, since the association had no office, these first issues were addressed for mailing in Sister Felt's home.
During the years of 1894 and 1895 Louie Ma with May Anderson attended a Kindergarten class conducted by Miss Chapin, who had come from the East. After receiving their diplomas they opened a private kindergarten in the basement of the little old adobe meetinghouse in the Eleventh Ward on the corner of Eighth East and First South Streets. She also taught Kindergarten during the summer months in the old University Building where the West High School buildings now stand.
Louie's work in the Primary continued. By promoting a feeling of gratefulness for good health among the children, they soon learned sympathy for others who were less fortunate than they and a project was commenced whereby they were able to contribute to a fund by which some sick child was. given medical treatment and hospital care. Under Sister Felt's supervision, a Primary-sponsored children's ward was opened in the Groves LDS Hospital in 1911. In 1922, feeling the need for professional nursing in a homelike atmosphere for children, the old Hyde home on North Temple became the LDS Children's Convalescent Home and Day Nursery. Soon, in addition to members of the organization, every person, old and young was invited to contribute one penny for each year they were old, and the money collected each year during the Penny Drive assisted in defraying the cost of maintaining the hospital and providing medical care.
In 1916, Louise Ellis "Louie" Felt Keysor, the eldest daughter of "Lizzie Ma", passed away and "Louie Ma" took her children, Elsa Keysor, Judith Keysor, Alma May Keysor and Buddy Keysor to live with her. She fed them, helped clothe and educate them, and gave them the love and devotion that only a second Grandmother could give, and was lovingly called "Nana."
As the years went on, she gradually grew too feeble to carry the responsibility of the Primary work and finally was so ill she had to have a trained nurse. For forty-five years Louie Bouton Felt's remarkable influence radiated throughout the Primary organization. She was succeeded by May Anderson, her lifelong friend, October 6, 1925. With "Lizzie Ma" as her faithful companion, she passed away Feb. 13, 1928, at age 77.∼See Sarah Louisa Bouton Felt
Daughter of Joseph Bouton and Mary Rebecca Barte
Married Joseph Henry Felt, 29 Dec 1866, Endowment House, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah
Louie B. Felt — First Primary President. Early French history tells us that the Boutons suffered for the sake of their religion, and were driven, as were other Huguenots from their beloved country. One of the Boutons, named John, went to England because England was offering to send emigrants to America on condition that they would swear allegiance to the crown of England. From England he came to America, landing in Boston, Massachusetts, Dec. 1655. In 1661 he went to Connecticut to help settle a new town called Norwalk, and it was here that Louie Bouton Felt was born on May 5, 1850.
Her father, Joseph, and her mother, Mary Barto Bouton, were very religious, having joined the Latter-day Saint church long before Louie was born. Her childhood was a very happy one, spent in digging clams in the seashore, placing turkey quills in the holes the men had bored in the maple trees in her grandfather Bouton's grove, and placing the buckets underneath to catch the sap. Often she would go sailing in her father's rowboat with her brothers and sister Lillie to dredge oysters. Her father was the president of the Norwalk branch of the Church and in the summertime when the elders would come to their home for a rest under his hospitable roof, he would gather the Saints together and with his family go in boats to an island not far from the Bouton home where they would have a clam bake. This island was named "Nauvoo Island" by President John Taylor.
Louie was baptized when she was eight years old by Brother W. J. Dalton. The baptism took place in one of the coves in which the boats were kept at night. Her early education was received in the district school in Norwalk. One afternoon some ladies came to visit her mother and in a gossipy way told news about another neighbor. Her mother got up and went out of the room and when she did not return, Louie went to find her. "Why did you leave the room, mother?" she asked. Her mother put her arm lovingly around her young daughter and said; "Louie, dear, they were talking about the personal affairs of people which I had no right to hear and did not wish to." It taught her then and there that other people's weaknesses and mistakes were not topics for discussion in her home, and it was one of the things she remembered all her life.
In the year 1864 Louie's family started for Utah. It was a great sacrifice to leave their home in the east and come west to a new country. But her parents, true to the spirit of their ancestors, listened to the call of those in authority, and started for the valleys of the mountains. They had gone only a short distance when the baggage train took fire, and all they owned, but the clothes they wore, were burned. So they returned to Norwalk again and remained two years. In May 1866, the Bouton family, with a number of missionaries left South Norwalk for Omaha, but before reaching there Brother Bouton was taken ill and it was necessary for him to rest before continuing the journey. Two of the elders remained with him while Louie and her brothers, Harry and Frank, and the other elders went on to Omaha. The anxious parents regretted the necessity for separation but trusted the elders, knowing they would do their best to take care of their children. A telegram was sent to the elder in charge at Omaha, asking that someone meet the little party and provide them with a suitable home until the father should recover and be able to resume the care of his dear ones. Joseph H. Felt was in charge of the Saints in Omaha, and had just recently returned from a mission to England, Sweden and Denmark. The telegram was read to the brethren at headquarters and a number of young men wanted to have the privilege of meeting Miss Bouton and her brothers, so they drew lots to see who should meet the boat. The lot fell to Elder Felt who took the carriage and went to meet them.
Louie was just sixteen, with sparkling blue eyes, golden hair, tall, slender and graceful, very dignified in her manner and a true gentlewoman. All these attractions very much impressed this young elder and she was also attracted to him. Four days later, Brother Bouton, who was still very ill, reached Omaha, staying there six weeks before he could continue on to Utah. The company with which the Bouton family traveled reached the Great Salt Lake Valley September 19, 1866, having spent over four months on the journey from South Norwalk. On the 29th of December 1866, Louie was married to Joseph H. Felt in the Endowment House and the wedding was celebrated in the Felt home with an elaborate party, President Young and many others being there in attendance. They had been married only a short time when President Brigham Young called them with several other young couples to colonize "The Muddy" now known as Moapa. They traveled south to St. George, over rough dangerous roads, with rivers and quicksands to cross, but they were young and brave and were doing their duty. They knew that God would protect and bless them at all times. When they reached St. George her husband found an old friend living there who urged him to stay there, telling him it was no place to take a young wife to a wild, uncivilized country, and Joseph was tempted to stay as Louie was not very strong and the journey had been so severe, but he did not know what to do. Finally he said "Louie, what had we better do?" She answered saying, "We were not sent to St. George, we were sent to the Muddy. You may do as you please. I am going on." So they continued their journey. They settled in what is known as St. Thomas, near the Muddy River, living in their wagon until adobes could be made with which to build their home. One of the settlers had preceded them, and had built their home and also a chicken coop. Because of Louie's poor health this family moved their chickens out and told Joseph and his wife to live there until they could build their home.
Finally they decided to build a house so Joseph leveled off a large space of ground where the adobes could dry and dug a shallow hole in which to mix the clay. A mold was made to shape them. Louie made herself a pair of bloomers and said she was ready to help. Joseph filled the hole with clay, added water, then Louie stepped in it with her bare feet and tramped and turned and mixed it until it was smooth and of the proper consistency. Joseph then filled the molds and set them in the sun to bake, and after awhile there were enough adobes to build a house. The floor was of clay spread wet and rubbed smooth. A carpet which they had brought with them was spread over it and fastened with wooden pegs driven into the ground. The roof was made of brush and mud, the windows were openings with muslin stretched over them, and a blanket for their door. Such was their "Home Sweet Home" in the Muddy. The Muddy Mission was finally abandoned and Louie and husband returned home.
Her father, meanwhile, had been very ill and was advised by President Young to return to his home in Norwalk, Connecticut. Louie felt that she should go with her mother on this long journey back, so Joseph told her to go and be a comfort to her parents as they needed her. She had stayed with them a short time when her father said, "Louie you must go back to Utah, to your husband and the Saints." But she answered him saying, "I can't go and leave mother when she needs me so much." "You must go," he said, "I cannot die in peace until I know you are back with the people of God." So she came back and when she arrived telegraphed her mother that she was safe at home, and her father said, "Now I can go in peace." And he passed quietly away. Her father left her some money and instead of putting it in the bank for her own future use she said, "Joseph you have been on one mission after another and have had little time to earn money with which to purchase us a home, so we will use this for one." She purchased the southeast corner of seventh east and first south where they built a two-room adobe house.
Not long after this Louie met Elizabeth Mineer, a young beautiful girl, who was very accomplished. She was singing in the Ward and Louie loved her as soon as she saw her. She suggested to her husband that she was willing to share his love and their home with "Lizzie" and hoped that some day they would be privileged to share their happiness with some little ones. So Lizzie became "Lizzie Ma" and Louie, "Louie Ma" in the Felt home, and love and happiness came to three instead of two. After awhile preparations were made for the Great Event and soon a little girl came to this home. Her name was Louie—"Little Louie" they called her, then after awhile there was Vera, and few people could guess just who the mother was, so great was the love of both for these children.
Before "Lizzie Ma's" fourth child was born, the Gentiles began to persecute the Latter-day Saints who had entered into polygamy, and the women had to flee to the home of friends for protection and were separated from their husbands and children for months at a time. Joseph had to leave his home and go in one direction and Lizzie Ma in another. She took with her, her [p.152] baby, and Louie Ma kept little Louie and Vera. How she loved these little ones and cared for them, and how she longed to have her family together again. When she could not stand the separation any longer she would scheme and plan until she found a way to bring Lizzie Ma home for a little reunion on holiday or birthdays. She would hitch up the horse to the little cart, and in the wee small hours of the night take a long drive out to Lizzie Ma's hiding place and bring her in, well disguised, with her baby tucked safely away in the bottom of the cart. About this time Louie opened her heart and home for another woman to share her home and happiness—Elizabeth Liddell, Aunt Dell. When the raid was over and there was no more danger of persecution of the Saints, Louie told her husband that she wanted to deed a piece of her property to Lizzie Ma and Aunt Dell so they could have a home of their own.
In 1869, President Young organized a society "for the Promotion of habits of order, thrift, industry and charity," and "to retrench from their extravagance in dress, eating, and even in speech." This organization was called the "Retrenchment Association." In 1878 the Retrenchment Association was merged into the Mutual Improvement Association, with Mary Freeze as president and Louie Ma as one of the counselors. On September 14, of the same year, Louie B. Felt was chosen by Eliza R. Snow to be president of the Eleventh Ward Primary Association, the second one organized in the Church. Aunt Lillie Freeze said about her: "Children were fascinated by her gracious manner and she taught them many things." Donations were made by them to help build the Salt Lake Temple. They had May walks, outings to Liberty Park and Garfield Beach, concerts and plays to bring out their talents. The money made from these concerts was used for various things, once to send an elder to England on a mission, another time it was used to bring a family to Zion, and so the work started among the children of the Eleventh Ward with a remarkable attendance—varying from one hundred to one hundred and seventy-five at a time.
During the years of 1894 and 1895 Louie Ma with Sister May Anderson attended a Kindergarten class conducted by Miss Chapin, who had come from the East. After receiving their diplomas they opened a private kindergarten in the basement of the little old adobe meetinghouse in the Eleventh Ward on the corner of eighth east and first south streets. She also taught Kindergarten during the summer months in the old University Building where the West High School buildings now stand.
On the 19th of June, 1880, a conference was held in the Tabernacle, the morning meeting being devoted to the work for children of the Primary Association. At this meeting, Louie B. Felt was set apart as General President of the Primary Association of the church, by Pres. John Taylor, which position she held until her death. She was not only the President who presided the longest, but she was the first woman in the history of the Church to be sustained as a General President. During her Presidency she supervised the rounding of the Children's Hospital on North Temple, where sick crippled children could be cared for whose parents were unable to stand the expense of medical help. The Children's Friend, a Primary magazine, also came out under her supervision. In 1916 Louie, the eldest daughter of "Lizzie Ma," passed away and "Louie Ma" took her children, Elsa, Judith, Alma May and Buddy Keysor to live with her. She fed them, helped clothe and educate them, and gave them the love and devotion that only a second Grandmother could give, and was lovingly called "Nana."
As the years went on, she gradually grew too feeble to carry the responsibility of the Primary work and finally was so ill she had to have a trained nurse. With "Lizzie Ma" as her faithful companion, she passed away Feb. 13, 1928.
Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 15, p. 148
Daughter of Joseph Bouton and Mary Rebecca Barto
Married Joseph Henry Felt, 24 Dec 1866, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah
History. First General President of the Primary, 45 years; married at 16, no children of her own, but helped raise 8 others.
In the year 1864 Louie's family started for Utah. They had gone only a short distance when the baggage train took fire, and all they owned, but the clothes they wore, were burned. So they returned to Norwalk again and remained two years.
In May 1866, the Bouton family, with a number of missionaries, left South Norwalk for Omaha. But before reaching there Brother Bouton was taken ill and it was necessary for him to rest before continuing the journey. Two of the elders remained with him while Louie and her brothers, Harry and Frank, and the other elders went on to Omaha. A telegram was sent to the elder in charge at Omaha, asking that someone meet the little party and provide them with a suitable home until the father should recover and be able to resume the care of his dear ones.
Joseph H. Felt was in charge of the Saints in Omaha, and had just recently returned from a mission to England, Sweden and Denmark. The telegram was read to the brethren at headquarters and a number of young men wanted to have the privilege of meeting Miss Bouton and her brothers, so they drew lots to see who should meet the boat. The lot fell to Elder Felt who took the carriage and went to meet them.
Louie was just sixteen, with sparkling blue eyes, golden hair, tall, slender and graceful, very dignified in her manner and a true gentlewoman. All these attractions very much impressed this young elder and she was also attracted to him. Four days later, Brother Bouton, who was still very ill, reached Omaha, staying there six weeks before he could continue on to Utah. The company with which the Bouton family traveled reached the Great Salt Lake Valley September 19, 1866, having spent over four months on the journey from South Norwalk. On the 29th of December, 1866, Louie was married to Joseph H. Felt in the Endowment House and the wedding was celebrated in the Felt home with an elaborate party, President Young and many others being there in attendance.
They had been married only a short time when President Brigham Young called them with several other young couples to colonize "The Muddy" now known as Moapa on the Virgin River until the Muddy Mission was finally abandoned.
When her father died, back in Connecticut, he left her some money, which she used to purchase a lot on the southeast corner of Seventh East and First South Streets where they built a two-room adobe house.
Not long after this Louie met Alma Elizabeth "Lizzie" Mineer, a young beautiful girl, who was very accomplished. She was singing in the Ward and Louie loved her as soon as she saw her. She suggested to her husband that she was willing to share his love and their home with "Lizzie" and hoped that some day they would be privileged to share their happiness with some little ones. So Alma Elizabeth Mineer Felt became "Lizzie Ma" and Sarah Louisa Bouton Felt, "Louie Ma" in the Felt home, and love and happiness came to three instead of two. Soon a little girl came to this home. Her name was Louise Ellis Felt. They called her "Little Louie". Then came Vera Inger Felt, and few people could guess just who the mother was, so great was the love of both for these children.
Before "Lizzie Ma's" fourth child was born, polygamy was being prosecuted and the women had to flee to the home of friends for protection and were separated from their husbands and children for months at a time. Joseph had to leave his home and go in one direction and Lizzie Ma, with her baby, in another. Louie Ma kept little Louie and Vera.
When the Retrenchment Association was merged into the Mutual Improvement Association in 1877, Louie Ma was chosen as one of the counselors to Mary Freeze.
Beginning in the month of August, 1878, Eliza R. Snow, Emmeline B. Wells, Zina D. H. Young, M. Isabella Horne, E. Howard, Lula Greene Richards, Sarah M. Kimball and others traveled throughout the Church organizing Primary Associations in rapid succession. Louie became president of the Eleventh Ward Primary of Salt Lake City on September 14, 1878. It was the second primary in the Church, after the one established by Aurelia Spencer Rogers in Farmington.
Lillie Freeze said about her: "Children were fascinated by her gracious manner and she taught them many things." Donations were made by them to help build the Salt Lake Temple. They had May walks, outings to Liberty Park and Garfield Beach, concerts and plays to bring out their talents. The money made from these concerts was used for various things, once to send an elder to England on a mission, another time it was used to bring a family to Zion, and so the work started among the children of the Eleventh Ward with a remarkable attendance —varying from one hundred to one hundred and seventy-five at a time.
Primary Associations soon became part of the auxiliary work throughout the Church. Meetings were usually held once a week, and not only theology, but good manners, the value of punctuality, the need for obedience, the joy of loving service, kindness to each other and to dumb animals were featured. The children were taught to lead in prayer, singing and in various games, and if any talent was perceived it was carefully fostered for the benefit of other members.
Primary organizations increased in members so fast that Stake Committees and a Central Board became imperative. At a Primary session of the Sister's Conference of the Salt Lake Stake held Saturday morning, June 19, 1880, the first Stake Board was organized. Immediately following this action, was sustained General President to preside over all the Primary Associations of all the Stakes of Zion. She was then set apart as General President of the Primary Association of the church, by Pres. John Taylor, which position she held until her death. She was not only the President who presided the longest, but she was the first woman in the history of the Church to be sustained as a General President.
She saw as her main duty the visiting of the various Primaries to encourage the work—a duty that involved much traveling. Under her supervision the organization was divided into ten groups according to age. The next step was to prepare appropriate material for the lessons that would be given in the various groups. The Church could offer the general board no financial assistance in implementing this venture. Undaunted, Mrs. Felt pledged her own home as collateral in order to promote the printing of the Primary's publication, The Children's Friend, begun on Jan. 19, 1902. Also, since the association had no office, these first issues were addressed for mailing in Sister Felt's home.
During the years of 1894 and 1895 Louie Ma with May Anderson attended a Kindergarten class conducted by Miss Chapin, who had come from the East. After receiving their diplomas they opened a private kindergarten in the basement of the little old adobe meetinghouse in the Eleventh Ward on the corner of Eighth East and First South Streets. She also taught Kindergarten during the summer months in the old University Building where the West High School buildings now stand.
Louie's work in the Primary continued. By promoting a feeling of gratefulness for good health among the children, they soon learned sympathy for others who were less fortunate than they and a project was commenced whereby they were able to contribute to a fund by which some sick child was. given medical treatment and hospital care. Under Sister Felt's supervision, a Primary-sponsored children's ward was opened in the Groves LDS Hospital in 1911. In 1922, feeling the need for professional nursing in a homelike atmosphere for children, the old Hyde home on North Temple became the LDS Children's Convalescent Home and Day Nursery. Soon, in addition to members of the organization, every person, old and young was invited to contribute one penny for each year they were old, and the money collected each year during the Penny Drive assisted in defraying the cost of maintaining the hospital and providing medical care.
In 1916, Louise Ellis "Louie" Felt Keysor, the eldest daughter of "Lizzie Ma", passed away and "Louie Ma" took her children, Elsa Keysor, Judith Keysor, Alma May Keysor and Buddy Keysor to live with her. She fed them, helped clothe and educate them, and gave them the love and devotion that only a second Grandmother could give, and was lovingly called "Nana."
As the years went on, she gradually grew too feeble to carry the responsibility of the Primary work and finally was so ill she had to have a trained nurse. For forty-five years Louie Bouton Felt's remarkable influence radiated throughout the Primary organization. She was succeeded by May Anderson, her lifelong friend, October 6, 1925. With "Lizzie Ma" as her faithful companion, she passed away Feb. 13, 1928, at age 77.∼See Sarah Louisa Bouton Felt
Daughter of Joseph Bouton and Mary Rebecca Barte
Married Joseph Henry Felt, 29 Dec 1866, Endowment House, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah
Louie B. Felt — First Primary President. Early French history tells us that the Boutons suffered for the sake of their religion, and were driven, as were other Huguenots from their beloved country. One of the Boutons, named John, went to England because England was offering to send emigrants to America on condition that they would swear allegiance to the crown of England. From England he came to America, landing in Boston, Massachusetts, Dec. 1655. In 1661 he went to Connecticut to help settle a new town called Norwalk, and it was here that Louie Bouton Felt was born on May 5, 1850.
Her father, Joseph, and her mother, Mary Barto Bouton, were very religious, having joined the Latter-day Saint church long before Louie was born. Her childhood was a very happy one, spent in digging clams in the seashore, placing turkey quills in the holes the men had bored in the maple trees in her grandfather Bouton's grove, and placing the buckets underneath to catch the sap. Often she would go sailing in her father's rowboat with her brothers and sister Lillie to dredge oysters. Her father was the president of the Norwalk branch of the Church and in the summertime when the elders would come to their home for a rest under his hospitable roof, he would gather the Saints together and with his family go in boats to an island not far from the Bouton home where they would have a clam bake. This island was named "Nauvoo Island" by President John Taylor.
Louie was baptized when she was eight years old by Brother W. J. Dalton. The baptism took place in one of the coves in which the boats were kept at night. Her early education was received in the district school in Norwalk. One afternoon some ladies came to visit her mother and in a gossipy way told news about another neighbor. Her mother got up and went out of the room and when she did not return, Louie went to find her. "Why did you leave the room, mother?" she asked. Her mother put her arm lovingly around her young daughter and said; "Louie, dear, they were talking about the personal affairs of people which I had no right to hear and did not wish to." It taught her then and there that other people's weaknesses and mistakes were not topics for discussion in her home, and it was one of the things she remembered all her life.
In the year 1864 Louie's family started for Utah. It was a great sacrifice to leave their home in the east and come west to a new country. But her parents, true to the spirit of their ancestors, listened to the call of those in authority, and started for the valleys of the mountains. They had gone only a short distance when the baggage train took fire, and all they owned, but the clothes they wore, were burned. So they returned to Norwalk again and remained two years. In May 1866, the Bouton family, with a number of missionaries left South Norwalk for Omaha, but before reaching there Brother Bouton was taken ill and it was necessary for him to rest before continuing the journey. Two of the elders remained with him while Louie and her brothers, Harry and Frank, and the other elders went on to Omaha. The anxious parents regretted the necessity for separation but trusted the elders, knowing they would do their best to take care of their children. A telegram was sent to the elder in charge at Omaha, asking that someone meet the little party and provide them with a suitable home until the father should recover and be able to resume the care of his dear ones. Joseph H. Felt was in charge of the Saints in Omaha, and had just recently returned from a mission to England, Sweden and Denmark. The telegram was read to the brethren at headquarters and a number of young men wanted to have the privilege of meeting Miss Bouton and her brothers, so they drew lots to see who should meet the boat. The lot fell to Elder Felt who took the carriage and went to meet them.
Louie was just sixteen, with sparkling blue eyes, golden hair, tall, slender and graceful, very dignified in her manner and a true gentlewoman. All these attractions very much impressed this young elder and she was also attracted to him. Four days later, Brother Bouton, who was still very ill, reached Omaha, staying there six weeks before he could continue on to Utah. The company with which the Bouton family traveled reached the Great Salt Lake Valley September 19, 1866, having spent over four months on the journey from South Norwalk. On the 29th of December 1866, Louie was married to Joseph H. Felt in the Endowment House and the wedding was celebrated in the Felt home with an elaborate party, President Young and many others being there in attendance. They had been married only a short time when President Brigham Young called them with several other young couples to colonize "The Muddy" now known as Moapa. They traveled south to St. George, over rough dangerous roads, with rivers and quicksands to cross, but they were young and brave and were doing their duty. They knew that God would protect and bless them at all times. When they reached St. George her husband found an old friend living there who urged him to stay there, telling him it was no place to take a young wife to a wild, uncivilized country, and Joseph was tempted to stay as Louie was not very strong and the journey had been so severe, but he did not know what to do. Finally he said "Louie, what had we better do?" She answered saying, "We were not sent to St. George, we were sent to the Muddy. You may do as you please. I am going on." So they continued their journey. They settled in what is known as St. Thomas, near the Muddy River, living in their wagon until adobes could be made with which to build their home. One of the settlers had preceded them, and had built their home and also a chicken coop. Because of Louie's poor health this family moved their chickens out and told Joseph and his wife to live there until they could build their home.
Finally they decided to build a house so Joseph leveled off a large space of ground where the adobes could dry and dug a shallow hole in which to mix the clay. A mold was made to shape them. Louie made herself a pair of bloomers and said she was ready to help. Joseph filled the hole with clay, added water, then Louie stepped in it with her bare feet and tramped and turned and mixed it until it was smooth and of the proper consistency. Joseph then filled the molds and set them in the sun to bake, and after awhile there were enough adobes to build a house. The floor was of clay spread wet and rubbed smooth. A carpet which they had brought with them was spread over it and fastened with wooden pegs driven into the ground. The roof was made of brush and mud, the windows were openings with muslin stretched over them, and a blanket for their door. Such was their "Home Sweet Home" in the Muddy. The Muddy Mission was finally abandoned and Louie and husband returned home.
Her father, meanwhile, had been very ill and was advised by President Young to return to his home in Norwalk, Connecticut. Louie felt that she should go with her mother on this long journey back, so Joseph told her to go and be a comfort to her parents as they needed her. She had stayed with them a short time when her father said, "Louie you must go back to Utah, to your husband and the Saints." But she answered him saying, "I can't go and leave mother when she needs me so much." "You must go," he said, "I cannot die in peace until I know you are back with the people of God." So she came back and when she arrived telegraphed her mother that she was safe at home, and her father said, "Now I can go in peace." And he passed quietly away. Her father left her some money and instead of putting it in the bank for her own future use she said, "Joseph you have been on one mission after another and have had little time to earn money with which to purchase us a home, so we will use this for one." She purchased the southeast corner of seventh east and first south where they built a two-room adobe house.
Not long after this Louie met Elizabeth Mineer, a young beautiful girl, who was very accomplished. She was singing in the Ward and Louie loved her as soon as she saw her. She suggested to her husband that she was willing to share his love and their home with "Lizzie" and hoped that some day they would be privileged to share their happiness with some little ones. So Lizzie became "Lizzie Ma" and Louie, "Louie Ma" in the Felt home, and love and happiness came to three instead of two. After awhile preparations were made for the Great Event and soon a little girl came to this home. Her name was Louie—"Little Louie" they called her, then after awhile there was Vera, and few people could guess just who the mother was, so great was the love of both for these children.
Before "Lizzie Ma's" fourth child was born, the Gentiles began to persecute the Latter-day Saints who had entered into polygamy, and the women had to flee to the home of friends for protection and were separated from their husbands and children for months at a time. Joseph had to leave his home and go in one direction and Lizzie Ma in another. She took with her, her [p.152] baby, and Louie Ma kept little Louie and Vera. How she loved these little ones and cared for them, and how she longed to have her family together again. When she could not stand the separation any longer she would scheme and plan until she found a way to bring Lizzie Ma home for a little reunion on holiday or birthdays. She would hitch up the horse to the little cart, and in the wee small hours of the night take a long drive out to Lizzie Ma's hiding place and bring her in, well disguised, with her baby tucked safely away in the bottom of the cart. About this time Louie opened her heart and home for another woman to share her home and happiness—Elizabeth Liddell, Aunt Dell. When the raid was over and there was no more danger of persecution of the Saints, Louie told her husband that she wanted to deed a piece of her property to Lizzie Ma and Aunt Dell so they could have a home of their own.
In 1869, President Young organized a society "for the Promotion of habits of order, thrift, industry and charity," and "to retrench from their extravagance in dress, eating, and even in speech." This organization was called the "Retrenchment Association." In 1878 the Retrenchment Association was merged into the Mutual Improvement Association, with Mary Freeze as president and Louie Ma as one of the counselors. On September 14, of the same year, Louie B. Felt was chosen by Eliza R. Snow to be president of the Eleventh Ward Primary Association, the second one organized in the Church. Aunt Lillie Freeze said about her: "Children were fascinated by her gracious manner and she taught them many things." Donations were made by them to help build the Salt Lake Temple. They had May walks, outings to Liberty Park and Garfield Beach, concerts and plays to bring out their talents. The money made from these concerts was used for various things, once to send an elder to England on a mission, another time it was used to bring a family to Zion, and so the work started among the children of the Eleventh Ward with a remarkable attendance—varying from one hundred to one hundred and seventy-five at a time.
During the years of 1894 and 1895 Louie Ma with Sister May Anderson attended a Kindergarten class conducted by Miss Chapin, who had come from the East. After receiving their diplomas they opened a private kindergarten in the basement of the little old adobe meetinghouse in the Eleventh Ward on the corner of eighth east and first south streets. She also taught Kindergarten during the summer months in the old University Building where the West High School buildings now stand.
On the 19th of June, 1880, a conference was held in the Tabernacle, the morning meeting being devoted to the work for children of the Primary Association. At this meeting, Louie B. Felt was set apart as General President of the Primary Association of the church, by Pres. John Taylor, which position she held until her death. She was not only the President who presided the longest, but she was the first woman in the history of the Church to be sustained as a General President. During her Presidency she supervised the rounding of the Children's Hospital on North Temple, where sick crippled children could be cared for whose parents were unable to stand the expense of medical help. The Children's Friend, a Primary magazine, also came out under her supervision. In 1916 Louie, the eldest daughter of "Lizzie Ma," passed away and "Louie Ma" took her children, Elsa, Judith, Alma May and Buddy Keysor to live with her. She fed them, helped clothe and educate them, and gave them the love and devotion that only a second Grandmother could give, and was lovingly called "Nana."
As the years went on, she gradually grew too feeble to carry the responsibility of the Primary work and finally was so ill she had to have a trained nurse. With "Lizzie Ma" as her faithful companion, she passed away Feb. 13, 1928.
Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 15, p. 148
Married Joseph Henry Felt, 24 Dec 1866, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah
History. First General President of the Primary, 45 years; married at 16, no children of her own, but helped raise 8 others.
In the year 1864 Louie's family started for Utah. They had gone only a short distance when the baggage train took fire, and all they owned, but the clothes they wore, were burned. So they returned to Norwalk again and remained two years.
In May 1866, the Bouton family, with a number of missionaries, left South Norwalk for Omaha. But before reaching there Brother Bouton was taken ill and it was necessary for him to rest before continuing the journey. Two of the elders remained with him while Louie and her brothers, Harry and Frank, and the other elders went on to Omaha. A telegram was sent to the elder in charge at Omaha, asking that someone meet the little party and provide them with a suitable home until the father should recover and be able to resume the care of his dear ones.
Joseph H. Felt was in charge of the Saints in Omaha, and had just recently returned from a mission to England, Sweden and Denmark. The telegram was read to the brethren at headquarters and a number of young men wanted to have the privilege of meeting Miss Bouton and her brothers, so they drew lots to see who should meet the boat. The lot fell to Elder Felt who took the carriage and went to meet them.
Louie was just sixteen, with sparkling blue eyes, golden hair, tall, slender and graceful, very dignified in her manner and a true gentlewoman. All these attractions very much impressed this young elder and she was also attracted to him. Four days later, Brother Bouton, who was still very ill, reached Omaha, staying there six weeks before he could continue on to Utah. The company with which the Bouton family traveled reached the Great Salt Lake Valley September 19, 1866, having spent over four months on the journey from South Norwalk. On the 29th of December, 1866, Louie was married to Joseph H. Felt in the Endowment House and the wedding was celebrated in the Felt home with an elaborate party, President Young and many others being there in attendance.
They had been married only a short time when President Brigham Young called them with several other young couples to colonize "The Muddy" now known as Moapa on the Virgin River until the Muddy Mission was finally abandoned.
When her father died, back in Connecticut, he left her some money, which she used to purchase a lot on the southeast corner of Seventh East and First South Streets where they built a two-room adobe house.
Not long after this Louie met Alma Elizabeth "Lizzie" Mineer, a young beautiful girl, who was very accomplished. She was singing in the Ward and Louie loved her as soon as she saw her. She suggested to her husband that she was willing to share his love and their home with "Lizzie" and hoped that some day they would be privileged to share their happiness with some little ones. So Alma Elizabeth Mineer Felt became "Lizzie Ma" and Sarah Louisa Bouton Felt, "Louie Ma" in the Felt home, and love and happiness came to three instead of two. Soon a little girl came to this home. Her name was Louise Ellis Felt. They called her "Little Louie". Then came Vera Inger Felt, and few people could guess just who the mother was, so great was the love of both for these children.
Before "Lizzie Ma's" fourth child was born, polygamy was being prosecuted and the women had to flee to the home of friends for protection and were separated from their husbands and children for months at a time. Joseph had to leave his home and go in one direction and Lizzie Ma, with her baby, in another. Louie Ma kept little Louie and Vera.
When the Retrenchment Association was merged into the Mutual Improvement Association in 1877, Louie Ma was chosen as one of the counselors to Mary Freeze.
Beginning in the month of August, 1878, Eliza R. Snow, Emmeline B. Wells, Zina D. H. Young, M. Isabella Horne, E. Howard, Lula Greene Richards, Sarah M. Kimball and others traveled throughout the Church organizing Primary Associations in rapid succession. Louie became president of the Eleventh Ward Primary of Salt Lake City on September 14, 1878. It was the second primary in the Church, after the one established by Aurelia Spencer Rogers in Farmington.
Lillie Freeze said about her: "Children were fascinated by her gracious manner and she taught them many things." Donations were made by them to help build the Salt Lake Temple. They had May walks, outings to Liberty Park and Garfield Beach, concerts and plays to bring out their talents. The money made from these concerts was used for various things, once to send an elder to England on a mission, another time it was used to bring a family to Zion, and so the work started among the children of the Eleventh Ward with a remarkable attendance —varying from one hundred to one hundred and seventy-five at a time.
Primary Associations soon became part of the auxiliary work throughout the Church. Meetings were usually held once a week, and not only theology, but good manners, the value of punctuality, the need for obedience, the joy of loving service, kindness to each other and to dumb animals were featured. The children were taught to lead in prayer, singing and in various games, and if any talent was perceived it was carefully fostered for the benefit of other members.
Primary organizations increased in members so fast that Stake Committees and a Central Board became imperative. At a Primary session of the Sister's Conference of the Salt Lake Stake held Saturday morning, June 19, 1880, the first Stake Board was organized. Immediately following this action, was sustained General President to preside over all the Primary Associations of all the Stakes of Zion. She was then set apart as General President of the Primary Association of the church, by Pres. John Taylor, which position she held until her death. She was not only the President who presided the longest, but she was the first woman in the history of the Church to be sustained as a General President.
She saw as her main duty the visiting of the various Primaries to encourage the work—a duty that involved much traveling. Under her supervision the organization was divided into ten groups according to age. The next step was to prepare appropriate material for the lessons that would be given in the various groups. The Church could offer the general board no financial assistance in implementing this venture. Undaunted, Mrs. Felt pledged her own home as collateral in order to promote the printing of the Primary's publication, The Children's Friend, begun on Jan. 19, 1902. Also, since the association had no office, these first issues were addressed for mailing in Sister Felt's home.
During the years of 1894 and 1895 Louie Ma with May Anderson attended a Kindergarten class conducted by Miss Chapin, who had come from the East. After receiving their diplomas they opened a private kindergarten in the basement of the little old adobe meetinghouse in the Eleventh Ward on the corner of Eighth East and First South Streets. She also taught Kindergarten during the summer months in the old University Building where the West High School buildings now stand.
Louie's work in the Primary continued. By promoting a feeling of gratefulness for good health among the children, they soon learned sympathy for others who were less fortunate than they and a project was commenced whereby they were able to contribute to a fund by which some sick child was. given medical treatment and hospital care. Under Sister Felt's supervision, a Primary-sponsored children's ward was opened in the Groves LDS Hospital in 1911. In 1922, feeling the need for professional nursing in a homelike atmosphere for children, the old Hyde home on North Temple became the LDS Children's Convalescent Home and Day Nursery. Soon, in addition to members of the organization, every person, old and young was invited to contribute one penny for each year they were old, and the money collected each year during the Penny Drive assisted in defraying the cost of maintaining the hospital and providing medical care.
In 1916, Louise Ellis "Louie" Felt Keysor, the eldest daughter of "Lizzie Ma", passed away and "Louie Ma" took her children, Elsa Keysor, Judith Keysor, Alma May Keysor and Buddy Keysor to live with her. She fed them, helped clothe and educate them, and gave them the love and devotion that only a second Grandmother could give, and was lovingly called "Nana."
As the years went on, she gradually grew too feeble to carry the responsibility of the Primary work and finally was so ill she had to have a trained nurse. For forty-five years Louie Bouton Felt's remarkable influence radiated throughout the Primary organization. She was succeeded by May Anderson, her lifelong friend, October 6, 1925. With "Lizzie Ma" as her faithful companion, she passed away Feb. 13, 1928, at age 77.∼See Sarah Louisa Bouton Felt
Daughter of Joseph Bouton and Mary Rebecca Barte
Married Joseph Henry Felt, 29 Dec 1866, Endowment House, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah
Louie B. Felt — First Primary President. Early French history tells us that the Boutons suffered for the sake of their religion, and were driven, as were other Huguenots from their beloved country. One of the Boutons, named John, went to England because England was offering to send emigrants to America on condition that they would swear allegiance to the crown of England. From England he came to America, landing in Boston, Massachusetts, Dec. 1655. In 1661 he went to Connecticut to help settle a new town called Norwalk, and it was here that Louie Bouton Felt was born on May 5, 1850.
Her father, Joseph, and her mother, Mary Barto Bouton, were very religious, having joined the Latter-day Saint church long before Louie was born. Her childhood was a very happy one, spent in digging clams in the seashore, placing turkey quills in the holes the men had bored in the maple trees in her grandfather Bouton's grove, and placing the buckets underneath to catch the sap. Often she would go sailing in her father's rowboat with her brothers and sister Lillie to dredge oysters. Her father was the president of the Norwalk branch of the Church and in the summertime when the elders would come to their home for a rest under his hospitable roof, he would gather the Saints together and with his family go in boats to an island not far from the Bouton home where they would have a clam bake. This island was named "Nauvoo Island" by President John Taylor.
Louie was baptized when she was eight years old by Brother W. J. Dalton. The baptism took place in one of the coves in which the boats were kept at night. Her early education was received in the district school in Norwalk. One afternoon some ladies came to visit her mother and in a gossipy way told news about another neighbor. Her mother got up and went out of the room and when she did not return, Louie went to find her. "Why did you leave the room, mother?" she asked. Her mother put her arm lovingly around her young daughter and said; "Louie, dear, they were talking about the personal affairs of people which I had no right to hear and did not wish to." It taught her then and there that other people's weaknesses and mistakes were not topics for discussion in her home, and it was one of the things she remembered all her life.
In the year 1864 Louie's family started for Utah. It was a great sacrifice to leave their home in the east and come west to a new country. But her parents, true to the spirit of their ancestors, listened to the call of those in authority, and started for the valleys of the mountains. They had gone only a short distance when the baggage train took fire, and all they owned, but the clothes they wore, were burned. So they returned to Norwalk again and remained two years. In May 1866, the Bouton family, with a number of missionaries left South Norwalk for Omaha, but before reaching there Brother Bouton was taken ill and it was necessary for him to rest before continuing the journey. Two of the elders remained with him while Louie and her brothers, Harry and Frank, and the other elders went on to Omaha. The anxious parents regretted the necessity for separation but trusted the elders, knowing they would do their best to take care of their children. A telegram was sent to the elder in charge at Omaha, asking that someone meet the little party and provide them with a suitable home until the father should recover and be able to resume the care of his dear ones. Joseph H. Felt was in charge of the Saints in Omaha, and had just recently returned from a mission to England, Sweden and Denmark. The telegram was read to the brethren at headquarters and a number of young men wanted to have the privilege of meeting Miss Bouton and her brothers, so they drew lots to see who should meet the boat. The lot fell to Elder Felt who took the carriage and went to meet them.
Louie was just sixteen, with sparkling blue eyes, golden hair, tall, slender and graceful, very dignified in her manner and a true gentlewoman. All these attractions very much impressed this young elder and she was also attracted to him. Four days later, Brother Bouton, who was still very ill, reached Omaha, staying there six weeks before he could continue on to Utah. The company with which the Bouton family traveled reached the Great Salt Lake Valley September 19, 1866, having spent over four months on the journey from South Norwalk. On the 29th of December 1866, Louie was married to Joseph H. Felt in the Endowment House and the wedding was celebrated in the Felt home with an elaborate party, President Young and many others being there in attendance. They had been married only a short time when President Brigham Young called them with several other young couples to colonize "The Muddy" now known as Moapa. They traveled south to St. George, over rough dangerous roads, with rivers and quicksands to cross, but they were young and brave and were doing their duty. They knew that God would protect and bless them at all times. When they reached St. George her husband found an old friend living there who urged him to stay there, telling him it was no place to take a young wife to a wild, uncivilized country, and Joseph was tempted to stay as Louie was not very strong and the journey had been so severe, but he did not know what to do. Finally he said "Louie, what had we better do?" She answered saying, "We were not sent to St. George, we were sent to the Muddy. You may do as you please. I am going on." So they continued their journey. They settled in what is known as St. Thomas, near the Muddy River, living in their wagon until adobes could be made with which to build their home. One of the settlers had preceded them, and had built their home and also a chicken coop. Because of Louie's poor health this family moved their chickens out and told Joseph and his wife to live there until they could build their home.
Finally they decided to build a house so Joseph leveled off a large space of ground where the adobes could dry and dug a shallow hole in which to mix the clay. A mold was made to shape them. Louie made herself a pair of bloomers and said she was ready to help. Joseph filled the hole with clay, added water, then Louie stepped in it with her bare feet and tramped and turned and mixed it until it was smooth and of the proper consistency. Joseph then filled the molds and set them in the sun to bake, and after awhile there were enough adobes to build a house. The floor was of clay spread wet and rubbed smooth. A carpet which they had brought with them was spread over it and fastened with wooden pegs driven into the ground. The roof was made of brush and mud, the windows were openings with muslin stretched over them, and a blanket for their door. Such was their "Home Sweet Home" in the Muddy. The Muddy Mission was finally abandoned and Louie and husband returned home.
Her father, meanwhile, had been very ill and was advised by President Young to return to his home in Norwalk, Connecticut. Louie felt that she should go with her mother on this long journey back, so Joseph told her to go and be a comfort to her parents as they needed her. She had stayed with them a short time when her father said, "Louie you must go back to Utah, to your husband and the Saints." But she answered him saying, "I can't go and leave mother when she needs me so much." "You must go," he said, "I cannot die in peace until I know you are back with the people of God." So she came back and when she arrived telegraphed her mother that she was safe at home, and her father said, "Now I can go in peace." And he passed quietly away. Her father left her some money and instead of putting it in the bank for her own future use she said, "Joseph you have been on one mission after another and have had little time to earn money with which to purchase us a home, so we will use this for one." She purchased the southeast corner of seventh east and first south where they built a two-room adobe house.
Not long after this Louie met Elizabeth Mineer, a young beautiful girl, who was very accomplished. She was singing in the Ward and Louie loved her as soon as she saw her. She suggested to her husband that she was willing to share his love and their home with "Lizzie" and hoped that some day they would be privileged to share their happiness with some little ones. So Lizzie became "Lizzie Ma" and Louie, "Louie Ma" in the Felt home, and love and happiness came to three instead of two. After awhile preparations were made for the Great Event and soon a little girl came to this home. Her name was Louie—"Little Louie" they called her, then after awhile there was Vera, and few people could guess just who the mother was, so great was the love of both for these children.
Before "Lizzie Ma's" fourth child was born, the Gentiles began to persecute the Latter-day Saints who had entered into polygamy, and the women had to flee to the home of friends for protection and were separated from their husbands and children for months at a time. Joseph had to leave his home and go in one direction and Lizzie Ma in another. She took with her, her [p.152] baby, and Louie Ma kept little Louie and Vera. How she loved these little ones and cared for them, and how she longed to have her family together again. When she could not stand the separation any longer she would scheme and plan until she found a way to bring Lizzie Ma home for a little reunion on holiday or birthdays. She would hitch up the horse to the little cart, and in the wee small hours of the night take a long drive out to Lizzie Ma's hiding place and bring her in, well disguised, with her baby tucked safely away in the bottom of the cart. About this time Louie opened her heart and home for another woman to share her home and happiness—Elizabeth Liddell, Aunt Dell. When the raid was over and there was no more danger of persecution of the Saints, Louie told her husband that she wanted to deed a piece of her property to Lizzie Ma and Aunt Dell so they could have a home of their own.
In 1869, President Young organized a society "for the Promotion of habits of order, thrift, industry and charity," and "to retrench from their extravagance in dress, eating, and even in speech." This organization was called the "Retrenchment Association." In 1878 the Retrenchment Association was merged into the Mutual Improvement Association, with Mary Freeze as president and Louie Ma as one of the counselors. On September 14, of the same year, Louie B. Felt was chosen by Eliza R. Snow to be president of the Eleventh Ward Primary Association, the second one organized in the Church. Aunt Lillie Freeze said about her: "Children were fascinated by her gracious manner and she taught them many things." Donations were made by them to help build the Salt Lake Temple. They had May walks, outings to Liberty Park and Garfield Beach, concerts and plays to bring out their talents. The money made from these concerts was used for various things, once to send an elder to England on a mission, another time it was used to bring a family to Zion, and so the work started among the children of the Eleventh Ward with a remarkable attendance—varying from one hundred to one hundred and seventy-five at a time.
During the years of 1894 and 1895 Louie Ma with Sister May Anderson attended a Kindergarten class conducted by Miss Chapin, who had come from the East. After receiving their diplomas they opened a private kindergarten in the basement of the little old adobe meetinghouse in the Eleventh Ward on the corner of eighth east and first south streets. She also taught Kindergarten during the summer months in the old University Building where the West High School buildings now stand.
On the 19th of June, 1880, a conference was held in the Tabernacle, the morning meeting being devoted to the work for children of the Primary Association. At this meeting, Louie B. Felt was set apart as General President of the Primary Association of the church, by Pres. John Taylor, which position she held until her death. She was not only the President who presided the longest, but she was the first woman in the history of the Church to be sustained as a General President. During her Presidency she supervised the rounding of the Children's Hospital on North Temple, where sick crippled children could be cared for whose parents were unable to stand the expense of medical help. The Children's Friend, a Primary magazine, also came out under her supervision. In 1916 Louie, the eldest daughter of "Lizzie Ma," passed away and "Louie Ma" took her children, Elsa, Judith, Alma May and Buddy Keysor to live with her. She fed them, helped clothe and educate them, and gave them the love and devotion that only a second Grandmother could give, and was lovingly called "Nana."
As the years went on, she gradually grew too feeble to carry the responsibility of the Primary work and finally was so ill she had to have a trained nurse. With "Lizzie Ma" as her faithful companion, she passed away Feb. 13, 1928.
Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 15, p. 148
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