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Alvin Crockett: 1st Mayor of Logan

acrockett_lgDates in Office: 1866-1870
Terms in Office: 2
Age when Elected: 35

Alvin Crockett was born on October 19, 1831, on Fox Island, Maine. His parents were David Crockett and Lydia Young. He married Sophia Reed on June 26, 1851, and Annie Naomi Peel on November 29, 1867, and had eighteen children. In 1860 or 61 he settled in Logan, Utah where he lived the rest of his life until his death on July 9, 1902.

Mr. Crockett served as sheriff of Cache County for nearly fifteen years. He was also city marshal of Logan. In 1872 he was elected as a school trustee and was instrumental in consolidating all the various ward schools into one Logan School District. That same year a high school was opened for the public in Logan. In 1878 he was appointed county game commissioner.

Mr. Crockett was elected as the first mayor of Logan, Utah on March 5, 1866. He was subsequently reelected, completing his second term in 1870. Far from the strict separation of church and state found today, it is interesting to note that many of today's governmental functions were at that time done by the Mormon church. When elected, Mr. Crockett held his first meeting in the house of Ezra T. Benson, Mormon apostle, and local church authority.


Sources:

1. "The Tri-Weekly Journal". Alvin Crockett Obituary. Logan, Utah: July 10, 1902.
2. Andrew Jenson, ed. "Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia". Salt Lake City, Utah: Publishing Press, 1971, 1:418-419.
3. Ricks, Joel E., ed. "The History of a Valley : Cache Valley, Utah-Idaho". Logan, Utah: Cache Valley Centennial Commission, 1956, 92 & 337.
4. Peterson, F. Ross. "A History of Cache County" . Salt Lake City, Utah: Utah State Historical Society, 1997, 90.
Timeline
   1866
  • ~ Five schools were established in Logan, one in each of the five wards. These structures were adobe, about 25' X 50', and were called "model school houses" by the Territorial Superintendent of Common Schools. 31, 38
  • January 7 ~ Logan was incorporated by an act of the Territorial Legislature. The early government of Logan met in private homes until 1876. 31 , 46, 47 
  • Summer ~ The Logan Police force was organized with sixteen policemen, several from each of the five wards. John Paul was appointed captain. 31
  • July 10 ~ A very high flag pole was erected as a means of communication for the community. It was placed on the southeast corner of the temple lot, near the corner of 100 north and 300 east. This was referred to as the Liberty Pole. A white flag meant that the residents were to be watchful and stand by in case of trouble. If a red flag ever flew, it meant danger and the men were to take their guns and gather immediately. 41
   1867
  • ~ Joseph, the three-year-old son of Edwin M. Curtis was taken by Native Americans. He was eventually found, covered with blankets, in the Native American camp a short distance from town. 26
  • January 15 ~ The Deseret Telegraph Company completed 500 miles of wire which connected Logan on the north to St. George on the south. 31, 47
   1868
  • ~ The Female Relief Society was organized with Mary Ann Maughan president. 26
  • ~ A report of the territorial census of Logan, taken in 1868 showed the population to be 2,217 souls. (This could be in error, however as the population of Logan in 1870 for the federal census was 1,757.) 31
  • August 22 ~ Brigham Young organized a "School of the Prophets" in Logan with Ezra T. Benson, president; Peter Maughan, vice-president; George L. Farrell, secretary; and John B. Thatcher, treasurer. 26, 55 
   1869
  • ~ The year 1869 was probably the worst of all for growing crops. Less than half a crop being raised throughout the valley, the rest being eaten by grasshoppers or "Mormon crickets". 47
  • ~ Work was completed on the first section of road up Logan Canyon, a toll road, to Wood Camp. The work had begun in 1862. 20
  • May 12 ~ The Logan Cooperative Mercantile Institution (LCMI) was organized, one of 16 mercantile establishments in Cache Valley. 26, 55