Reuben Collett: A Life of Productivity

Reuben Collett was the husband of Elthura Merrill. He was born in England, and immigrated with his family to the United States after joining the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He was a person larger than life, and played a huge role in settling the west. His life was one of productivity despite his personal handicaps caused by losing most of his arm in a threshing machine accident.  The following excerpts from his obituary summarizes him the best.

“Reub Collett’s life has been unusual in the scope of his pioneer activities, as this has extended into Idaho, Wyoming, and Arizona as well as Utah He has been a builder of homes and redeemer of pioneer conditions in all these states … In the summer of ’55, young Reub became one of the members of the “Salmon River” mission in Idaho passing thru all the thrilling details of this trying and exciting expedition, and from this time on to the end of his life was known and admired for his wonderful physical endurance and courage”[1]

---

[1] "A Pioneer Gone to His Rest," Vernal Express, January 30, 1920, accessed April 7, 2015, Utah Digital Newspapers. (http://udn.lib.utah.edu/cdm/compoundobject/collection/vernal1/id/81527/show/81558/rec/5).