Emma Johnson

Biography

Emma Johnson Atkin was born on March 12, 1863 in Tooele, Utah. Her parents (Andrew John Johnson and Elna Petronella Pehrson Johnson) joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Sweden and immigrated to the United States in 1859 to be with the Saints in Utah. While in Tooele, Emma attended school during spring and summer while her brothers worked in the fields, and they attended school in the fall and winter when they were unable to do manual labor. Emma had a love for music, showcased by her involvement in ward choir and dedication to teaching herself to play the accordion and lyre. In fall, Emma's family picked peaches and held a "peach bee", where neighbors helped them peel and dry the fruits in preparation for winter.
Though Emma was accustomed to helping her father in the fields and spinning and weaving with her mother, her real aspiration was learn the art of dressmaking and needlework in Salt Lake City. Her father did not want her to pursue this path, but relented after much persuasion on the part of his wife. Emma turned to George Atkin, whom she later married, for funds needed to cover the expenses of her travel and training. Emma married George on November 22, 1883, becoming his second wife. Sadly, a year after their marriage, Emma received word that she would have to go into hiding as a plural wife to protect George from prosecution. So she went into hiding for 6 years, returning home only for short visits. During this time, her two daughters, Rebecca and Effie, were born.

When Effie was only 18 months old in 1890, George's health failed, meaning he could no longer support the family. He later died in Tooele on January 3, 1899, so Emma started a dressmaking business to provide for her children. She created beautiful clothing for women in the town and also started a sewing class. Her dressmaking business was so successful she eventually moved to the downtown business district, where she operated her shop until she retired in 1915.

In 1909,  Emma adopted a baby boy that had been left on her doorstep, who she later namer Floyd Thomas Atkin. She adopted him legally and had him sealed to herself and George Atkin in the Salt Lake Temple. She also took in her aged father and invalid mother, in addition to caring for those at home, continuing her successful business, and sharing her income with other widows. She also supported her daughter Rebecca, who served in the Northern States Mission leaving September 1910. In later years, Emma Johnson kept a beautiful yard and garden and served her community and church in presiding positions. Emma died on March 14, 1925 at the age of 62. She was buried in Tooele City Cemetery next to her husband.

Information from "Pioneers of Tooele County - Emma J. Atkin Life History".