The Tidwell Families

In 1833, the Tidwell family was converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Soon after, they moved to Caldwell County, Missouri to live among the Saints. Members of the Church, including the Tidwell family, were persecuted by mobsters while in Missouri and were forced out in 1839. During this time, it is possible that Thomas became acquainted with Elizabeth Henderson.

The Tidwell family moved to Quincy, Illinois, and later to Nauvoo. While there, Thomas' father rented some land from John Williams to support his family. In 1844, a member of the Williams family became enraged with the Saints and burned down the Tidwell home. The following year, Thomas' father died. 

After the assassination of Church President Joseph Smith in 1844, the Tidwell family moved to Winter Quarters, Iowa. While there, Thomas married Elizabeth Jane Henderson on Oct 7, 1847. The Tidwell family lived in Kanesville, Iowa to gather funds to cross west. The exact company the Tidwell family joined is unknown, but they made it to Utah by 1853. They moved to Kaysville, Utah soon after.

By a letter of surprise, Thomas Tidwell was called by the Church to preside as the Bishop of the Richmond Branch, Cache Valley. Thomas moved his family to Richmond in 1860.