Charles W. Nibley

Charles Wilson Nibley (February 5, 1849 – December 11, 1931) was a Scottish-American religious leader, businessman, and politician. Nibley was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served as the fifth presiding bishop of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) between 1907 and 1925 and a member of the church's First Presidency from 1925 until his death. He was also a businessman and was involved in various industries, such as lumber, sugar, and railroads.

Early life

Nibley was born in Hunterfield, Midlothian, Scotland to James Nibley and Jean Wilson. His family moved to the United States in 1855 to join with the main body of Latter-day Saints. They spent some time living in Rhode Island. In 1860, they moved to the Utah Territory. The family was sent north to settle in Cache Valley, and eventually settled in Wellsville. In Wellsville, Nibley worked as a sheepherder and a store clerk.

As an adult, Nibley moved to Brigham City, Utah, where he worked for Morris Rosenbaum (a Jewish convert to Mormonism) and later became a partner in the store where he worked. It was there he met Rebecca Neibaur (who was the sister of one of Rosenbaum's wives) and was married in 1869. Following the 19th century practice of plural marriage, Nibley married Ellen Ricks in 1880 and Julia Budge in 1885.

Business ventures In 1879 to 1885, Nibley managed a lumber company that was part of the LDS Church's United Order program. Nibley was a firm believer in monopolies, believing competition was "economic waste". He also believed that LDS Church members who didn't support paying higher prices to Mormon businesses (versus lower prices to non-Mormon businesses) were betraying the church. The sugar beet growing town of Nibley, Oregon was named for him. He was later instrumental in forming the Amalgamated Sugar Company and the Utah and Idaho Sugar Company (later known as U&I Sugar Co). He was chairman of the executive committee of the Utah-Idaho Sugar Company, President of the Standard Investors Inc. (comprising all of the Nibley holdings) and a valued director of the following business institutions: Zion's Cooperative Mercantile Institution, Utah State National Bank, Zion's Savings Bank & Trust Company, Utah Power & Light Company, Western Pacific Railroad Company, Hotel Utah, Utah Lime and Stone Company, Mountain States Telephone & Telegraph Company, and Beneficial Life Insurance Co.

Church service Missions Nibley served two missions for the LDS Church. His first mission, from October 1869 to March 1870, was to the eastern United States and was primarily a goodwill mission, trying to counteract the negative press surrounding polygamy in Utah. His second mission, from May 1877 to May 1879, was to England and proved to be influential to later Church history. He traveled with the new mission president, Joseph F. Smith, and while serving in England became good friends with the future Church president.

First Presidency In 1925, he was released as presiding bishop and was called as second counselor to Heber J. Grant in the church's First Presidency. He is one of the few individuals to serve in the First Presidency without having been ordained to the priesthood office of apostle.

Nibley Park Heber J. Grant dedicating Nibley Park golf course in Salt Lake City Utah on May 20, 1922 by hitting the first golf ball off a tee. Charles Nibley is standing on the left. In 1921 Nibley bought Wandamere (Calder) Park in Salt Lake City, and donated it to the city on Christmas Eve of that year. The gift to the city had the stipulation that it would never be sold and remain a golf course or be returned to the Nibley family. The idea was to provide a public golf course where the general public, both poor and rich, could enjoy the game of golf.

Death and legacy Nibley died of pneumonia in Salt Lake City, Utah; he was buried in Logan City Cemetery. Nibley, Utah is named after him.

Charles's son Preston became a church leader and author of several Mormon books. Hugh W. Nibley, a Mormon apologist and academic, is Charles's grandson, through his son, Alexander. Musician Reid Nibley was a grandson, and Martha Nibley Beck is a great-granddaughter.