Elder Edgar D. Simmons's Faithful Service and Martyrdom
Published October 11, 2026 at 6:54 PM
Contributed by
Millennial Star Research
Elder Edgar D. Simmons died of smallpox in Aintab, Turkey, on February 4, 1890, after a 14-day illness. He was serving as a missionary with Elder Frederick Dieterle. Despite the severe illness that rendered him unable to stand and weakened his voice, he remained conscious until the end and was noted for his faithful and martyr-like service.
Fuller account of this event (the complete account as preserved in The Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star, Vol. 52, No. 9, 3 March 1890, p. 143):
Elder Edgar D. Simmons, of Salt Lake City, died of small-pox, at Aintab, Turkey, on the 4th of February, 1890, after an illness of fourteen days. He was a faithful missionary, and died in the service of his Master.
In Their Own Words
“A week has scarcely passed since I sent you the report of the sickness of our brother and fellow-laborer, Elder Edgar D. Simmons, and I am obliged to send you the report of his demise from smallpox, which happened on the 4th inst. at 2 p.m., after a very painful illness, the duration of which was 14 days. He became very weak and quite unable to stand. Then his voice became weak and inaudible. He retained consciousness, however, to the last. ... Brother Simmons lived and died faithful to the Church, and to his noble calling, he died in full hope of a glorious resurrection, and we, in common with his relatives, have the comforting prospect of a glorious re-union for eternity. — Millennial Star 52:9”
Sources & References
The Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star (Manchester, later Liverpool, England, May 1840–1970), 3 March 1890 (Vol. 52, No. 9). https://archive.org/details/per_utah-and-the-mormons_the-latter-day-saints-millennial-star_1890-03-03_52_9 (account extracted verbatim from the issue's Internet Archive OCR text; research confidence: high) Complete account: The Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star, Vol. 52, No. 9, 3 March 1890, p. 143 https://archive.org/details/per_utah-and-the-mormons_the-latter-day-saints-millennial-star_1890-03-03_52_9
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