100 years ago
Richard Ballantyne, "father of the great Sunday school movement of the Latter-day Saints," died Nov. 8, 1898, in Ogden, Utah, the Nov. 11, 1898, Deseret News reported.
Brother Ballantyne, 81 years old at the time of his death, founded the Sunday School in December 1849, in Salt Lake City "and was ever since that time a prominent and indefatigable worker in the great Sunday school cause," the newspaper article stated.
A native of Scotland, Brother Ballantyne was baptized in 1842 and immigrated to the United States in 1843. The article said, "After enduring many hardships, he came to Utah in 1848," and noted that he served a mission to India from 1851-54.
He was a journalist and held several political positions in Ogden and Weber County. He was also a respected school teacher.
On his 80th birthday, a Sunday School celebration was held in his honor. A resolution was passed by the Sunday Schools in Weber County and "thousands of children marched through the streets."
