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About Nellie Unthank
- Ellen (Nellie) Pucell Unthank (November 6, 1846 – July 21, 1915) was a Mormon pioneer, Utah settler, and amputee remembered as a symbol of pioneer endurance. Ellen Pucell was born in Liverpool, England to Samuel Pucell and Margaret Perrin Pucell.
- She emigrated to Utah Territory from England with her family as a young girl, traveling with the Martin Handcart Company.
- During the journey her parents died, and she had to finish without them, walking most of the way without shoes.
- Because of the bitter cold and snow, she suffered frostbite.
- When she arrived in the Salt Lake Valley, her legs were amputated, using no anesthetic, below the knee.
- Because of the imprecise amputation, her stumps never healed and were bloody for the rest of her life.
- She became a symbol for courage and nobility because she did not ask for pity despite her handicap.
- She did laundry on her knees to help raise six children. On April 22, 1871, she married William Unthank.
- She died in Cedar City, Utah at the age of 69.
- Jerry Anderson created a statue of her with feet that is located on the Southern Utah University campus at the former location of her home.
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