JAMES WHITMORE PRESTON
James Whitmore Preston: obtained from Jennie Wild - written by Mirma Lyle Nash Grant.
James Whitmore Preston was the father of Theodocia Preston Brown (William Thomas Brown)
who was the mother of William Henry Brown (Emily Charlotte Borgeson)
who was the father of Julia Romania Brown (Walter E Peterson).
It becomes a sacred duty on my part to write of one of the stalwart pioneers whose faithful labors have made it possible for us to plant our feet firmly in this heavenly blessed State of Utah.
James Whitmore Preston was born October 7,1822 at Salem, Mass. He was the youngest child of Richard Preston and Mary Rand.
He married Emeline [or Emaline] Houston in 1851(??) [other sources indicate that this was the time of their arrival in the Salt Lake valley] at Nauvoo, Illinois?. She was a daughter of Isaac Houston and Theodosia E. Keys [or Keyes], Vermont pioneers. To this union were born eleven children, Theodosia, James Whitmore Jr., Richard, Emaline, William Henry, Mary Ann, Isaac H., Washburn, William A., Mindwell, Charles Henry, and Harriett A.
He came to Utah in 1851?, apparently shortly after his marriage with his father-in-law, Isaac Houston [Isaac Houston appears to have been in Summer Quarters, Nebraska in 1847 as Isaac, Jr. was born there and in Salt Lake the spring of 1850], He built a saw mill in American Fork Canyon and cut quite a lot of lumber for building. Many homes in American Fork were built with lumber they cut. He also helped build all the canals around American Fork, Provo and Alpine.
James W. Preston served as one of the first trustees of the free schools in American Fork along with George Cunningham and William Barret. He did what was termed the secretarial work. It was one of his duties to go to Salt Lake and purchase what supplies were needed. He also was responsible for Brother Forbes wages which — were paid in pork, potatoes, beef and flour.
As a member of the 67th quorum of seventies, he served on a Mission to Boston, Massachusetts, in 1880. Grand Mother Preston enjoyed these years as well as he did. It is said that her daughters would come with their horses and buggies and would take her to visit all her friends and relatives. In fact, Grandma Preston said she had the time of her life because she was able to visit so much and Grandfather always expected her to be home when he was there.
James W. Preston was known as a kind, lovable, gentleman. He was good to his neighbors and friends. He was always concerned with their welfare. He was known as the first doctor in American Fork. Not because of training, but because of his skill in healing the afflicted. He was always prayerful and asked the help of the Heavenly Father before he ever attempted to set a broken limb. At one time Ira Chipman came to him with a broken arm. Brother Preston knelt in prayer and as he arose from his knees, he ask[ed] his wife for the sheet that was on top of other fresh linen. She ask him to use one of her older sheets since this particular one was new. He said he must have that one because it would be far stronger and would hold the broken limb more securely. It is obvious that nothing was too good for those in need. It is said that he always had shingles and sizable pieces of lumber reserved for this purpose. One can readily acclaim the power of God and the humbleness of Brother Preston when we realize that he never left a cripple and he set bones by the score. His prayers were also answered in his behalf.
At one time his youngest daughter Hattie lay in great pain with tooth ache and ear ache. Her pain was so great that she was screaming. He took the holy oil and administered to her. It was no time at all until the small child was quiet and enjoying a normal sleep.
Grandpa Preston was a good provider and always brought an abundance of food stuff into the home. Emeline his wife was so generous that it was said “That he brought it in the front door, and she took, it out the back”. Pounds of butter and other good things were distributed to the neighbors. She was so free hearted that Grandfather had to curb her a bit.
Grandfather and grandma Preston were to know the sorrow of death. Emeline, their daughter, died as a child and was the first to be buried in what was known as the new cemetery in American Fork. The child had taken lunch to her father who was working down in the bottoms. On the way home she was chased by a colt. So great was her fright that she developed a heart ailment from which she finally died.
James Preston enjoyed doing temple work. In 1887 (??) he and wife Emeline made a special trip to Manti Temple to do temple work for the Houston and Preston family.
After talking with church authorities James W. Preston decided to embrace the law of polygamy. He took as his second wife Katherine Nash. He asked the consent of his first wife. She not only gave her consent but also bought a wedding present and also walked to Alpine, a distance of four miles and gave it to them. It was not long until he was back to his home in American Fork. he said he was not going back. He believed in polygamy however and wanted his daughters to marry into polygamy.
Of course it was thought that a man who had been married and had some economic security would provide and take care of his daughters. The daughters however showed they had minds of their own in this matter and not one of them married into polygamy.
In his latter years, Brother Preston developed what was then known as dyspepsia or some kind of stomach ailment. He seemed to be rather sullen and morbid, but it is likely that his health had a lot to do with the change of his disposition.
His first wife Emeline Houston died November 11, 1886 (??). After preparing a lovely meal for her family who were visiting, Sister Preston sat at the table with her daughter Mindwell chatting casually. She suddenly said, "Mina bring me the camphor bottle, I feel faint". Before Mina could return with the camphor she was unconscious and before help could be summoned she was dead. Grandfather Preston missed her but it seemed his health improved. Friends and relatives attributed his improvement to the fact that Sister Preston babied him so and probably lay too much importance to his ill health.
The remaining years were spent at home with Hattie his youngest daughter caring for him. He died April 3. 1898 at his home, 76 years of age.
True to his reputation for honesty and fair dealings, be saw to it that all his properties were divided equally between his children. The grandchildren whose parents were dead received a fair share of their parents portion.
James W. Preston was farmer, sheepman and stockman. He reared his family under truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We honor his name among the first settlers of Utah.
He was a noble pioneer.
[Note at bottom of page: “Speaking of Brother Forbes wage; So I have been told, he was among the 1st teachers of grade school in American Fork”]