ALL NEWS

Seraph Young, first female voter, finally gets misspelled headstone corrected

Sep 29, 2020, 10:30 AM | Updated: 12:13 pm

Seraph Young Headstone...

An enhanced version of a photograph of Seraph Young Ford taken near the time she would have voted. Enhancement and coloration by Josh Christensen.

WASHINGTON — 150 years ago on Valentine’s Day 1870, just two days after the Utah Territory granted women’s suffrage, 23-year-old Salt Lake City schoolteacher Seraph Young stopped at the polls on her way to work to cast her vote in a local municipal election and become the first woman in the nation to vote. 

Now, 82 years after her death, her misspelled headstone at her final resting place in Arlington National Cemetery has been fixed. Instead of Seraph Young, for years, the stone memorialized her as “Serath” Young. 

Seraph Young: the first woman voter

Young, born in Nebraska in 1846, came to Utah a year later with her family, making her an early pioneer.  

She grew up in Salt Lake City, the grand-niece of Brigham Young. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints recalled her historic vote in a 1920 issue of Relief Society Magazine, which noted encouragements to women of the time to exercise their newly established right. 

“The women of Utah were encouraged not only to attend their primaries religiously, but were enjoined to form civil government classes, to institute mock trials, and to study parliamentary law,” the article stated. 

Young’s marriage to a Civil War veteran and printer, Seth L. Ford, came two years later, in 1872. The couple had three children in Utah before moving to New York and later Maryland.

The couple’s move came after Ford’s health challenges related to his service during the Civil War became worse. The couple moved to New York after he began to lose his eyesight, and later, Ford would also become paralyzed.

Young took care of him until his death in 1910 where he was buried, with full rights as a veteran of the Union Army, in Arlington National Cemetery, setting the stage for Young’s eventual interment next to him after her death in 1938 at age 91. 

Fixing the error

A White House senior administration official said the error on Young’s headstone was brought to their attention last winter through efforts made by Better Days Utah and others who flagged the error.

(Deidre Henderson) Seraph Young's headstone in Arlington National Cemetery. Photo by Ron Fox. An enhanced version of a photograph of Seraph Young Ford taken near the time she would have voted. Enhancement and coloration by Josh Christensen. Sen. Deidre Henderson speaks at the gathering honoring Seraph Young(Deidre Henderson) Governor Gary Herbert gives remarks at the memorial for Seraph Young. (Deidre Henderson) The Rice Family with the Governor, Mrs. Herbert and Senator Henderson.(Deidre Henderson) Russel Rice and granddaughter Hope, descendants of Seraph Young. Pded by the White House. Russell Rice and Granddaughter Hope walk near Seraph Young Ford's new headstone at Arlington National Cemetery.  Rice is the Great-great-grandson of Seraph Young Ford. (Deidre Henderson) Hope Rice, the youngest living descendent of Seraph Young (Trent Toone) The headstone of Seth L. Ford, Civil War Veteran and husband to Seraph Young. (Trent Toone) A clipping from the Deseret News in 1902 (Ronald Fox) Painting from the Utah House of Representatives Chamber by David Koch The program of events. Provided by the White House. The program of events. Provided by the White House.

Young’s name accompanies that of her husband on the headstone they share at Arlington. As is the custom, the military engraves the names of spouses on the backside of a veteran’s headstone. 

Officials said once they became aware of the mistake, they contacted Arlington’s superintendent. The superintendent then ordered a new headstone for the couple to rectify the misspelling. 

Memorial delayed by coronavirus

The new stone arrived in March. However, coronavirus delayed the original plans for a March memorial service until this Tuesday. 

“This has been the work of many people bringing us together. We’re inspired on many levels and hopefully, that will inspire us to do better things as we go forward. We look at our past to help us improve our future, and that’s what’s happening here today,” Herbert said on Tuesday.

Quoting Martha Hughes Cannon, the governor said, “The story of the struggle for women’s suffrage in Utah is the story of all efforts for the advancement and betterment of humanity.”


Seraph Young honored with 2020 “I Voted” stickers

Utah celebrates the 150th anniversary of women getting the vote

Statue of the first female lawmaker stands tall at Utah’s State Capitol

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Today’s Top Stories

All News

The OLRGC released an analysis of the expected topics to be discussed during a special session of t...

Simone Seikaly

Extending state flooding emergency, firearm restrictions, among topics for Utah special session

The OLRGC released an analysis of the expected topics to be discussed during a special session of the legislature.

11 months ago

A video recorded by Facebook user Larry Jacquez shows the police response following the shooting in...

Jamiel Lynch, CNN     

At least 3 people killed and 2 officers wounded in a shooting in Farmington, New Mexico, police say

Multiple people were shot and at least three killed in a shooting in Farmington, New Mexico, police said in a Facebook post.

11 months ago

A new release from Intermountain Healthcare shows that younger adults are becoming more susceptible...

Waverly Golden

Younger adults are becoming more susceptible to strokes

A new release from Intermountain Healthcare shows that younger adults are becoming more susceptible to stroke.

11 months ago

If you plan to camp over Memorial Day Weekend, you may want to begin the planning process now....

Allessandra Harris

Camping over Memorial Day Weekend? Plan ahead

If you plan to camp over Memorial Day Weekend, you may want to begin the planning process now.

11 months ago

slcpd on the scene of the deaths...

Josh Ellis

Police: Teen killed by father in murder-suicide in SLC office building

Police responded to the office complex near 3000 S. Highland Drive on Saturday after emergency responders received a call from a community member who reported finding a body.

11 months ago

Melissa Coleman crouches next to her husband, , Brad Coleman, of North Ogden, who sits in a wheelch...

Jenny Carpenter, KSL.com

Young stroke victim survives with quick, lifesaving treatment in northern Utah

After a 36-year-old man had a stroke, he and his wife say to be aware of the signs of stroke and that young people are also at risk.

11 months ago

Sponsored Articles

close up of rose marvel saliva blooms in purple...

Shannon Cavalero

Drought Tolerant Perennials for Utah

The best drought tolerant plants for Utah can handle high elevations, alkaline soils, excessive exposure to wind, and use of secondary water.

Group of cheerful team members high fiving each other...

Visit Bear Lake

How To Plan a Business Retreat in Bear Lake This Spring

Are you wondering how to plan a business retreat this spring? Read our sample itinerary to plan a team getaway to Bear Lake.

Cheerful young woman writing an assignment while sitting at desk between two classmates during clas...

BYU EMBA at the Marriott School of Business

Hear it Firsthand: 6 Students Share Their Executive MBA Experience at BYU’s Marriott School of Business

The Executive MBA program at BYU offers great opportunities. Hear experiences straight from students enrolled in the program.

Skier being towed by a rider on a horse. Skijoring....

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking for a New Winter Activity? Try Skijoring in Bear Lake

Skijoring is when someone on skis is pulled by a horse, dog, animal, or motor vehicle. The driver leads the skiers through an obstacle course over jumps, hoops, and gates.

Banner with Cervical Cancer Awareness Realistic Ribbon...

Intermountain Health

Five Common Causes of Cervical Cancer – and What You Can Do to Lower Your Risk

January is National Cervical Cancer Awareness month and cancer experts at Intermountain Health are working to educate women about cervical cancer.

Kid holding a cisco fish at winterfest...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Get Ready for Fun at the 2023 Bear Lake Monster Winterfest

The Bear Lake Monster Winterfest is an annual weekend event jam-packed full of fun activities the whole family can enjoy.

Seraph Young, first female voter, finally gets misspelled headstone corrected