Katharine Smith Salisbury was the longest-surviving member of the Joseph Sr. and Lucy Mack Smith family. Her biography records a life of challenges, including overcoming religious prejudice and ostracism. Three of Katharine's children die in infancy. the Salisburys were driven from Ohio and Missouri. Her husband only sporadically provided for the family, was outside the faith for a time, and died at age forty-four. After the deaths of Joseph and Hyrum, Katharine remained in Hancock County, Illinois, where the family continued to experience untold hardships due to her connection to the church's founder. Through all these challenges Katharine remained loyal to her brother Joseph Smith Jr., vouching for his prophetic appointment. She successfully perpetuated her faith in these early Restoration events to her expanding posterity before her death in 1900.