LIFE SKETCH OF
WILLIAM THOMAS BROWN
1843 — 1928
Taken from the Genealogy of his nephew Samuel Richard Brown, also George F. Shelley of Alpine, Utah, Alpine Stake Genealogist, and my [Theadocia Brown Nicholes'] own remembrance.
William Thomas Brown was born at Stratford-on-Avon, Warwickshire, England on the first day of May 1843. His parents were Henry Brown and Catherine Maria Wright. They joined the church in England and were encouraged to come to Utah to help build up Zion because he was a good bricklayer by trade.
Henry and Catherine took advantage of the church's perpetual emigration fund and in the early part of 1852, he and his wife and 6 children, five boys and one girl sailed from Liverpool in the sailing vessel Ellen Maria, and six weeks later landed at New Orleans. Together with other saints proceeded up the Mississippi River to St. Louis, thence, up the Missouri River to Kansas City. It was September 3, 1852 and they stopped here to get provisions, and preparations for the long trek ahead. Kansas City wasn't much of a place then, for there were only a few houses.
Little did they realize of the calamity that was about to befall them. The dreaded cholera epidemic broke out and before it subsided, many of them, the strong and the weak alike were stricken and died. Among them were the Brown family, Henry, his wife Catherine, their only daughter Julia and two boys, leaving William age 9, Samuel 7, and Cyrus age 5 orphans in a strange land and no relatives. Catherine's, the mother's, last words to William were, "You are going to the "Valley" and be a good boy". She also asked Sister Hill and her husband, who were childless, to take and care for little Cyrus. He lived with them until manhood and often went by the name "Hill".
William, though only a boy of nine, was obliged to work his own way across. He assisted Harry Staples, who had charge of driving loose cattle. On one occasion, while crossing a swift stream, Harry told him to hold onto one of the cow's tail. He did, but partly across he loosened his hold and was fast going down stream. With determination he grabbed onto another cow's tails, and was able to get on the other side safely. Harry laughingly remarked "You were sure born to be living and not drowned". Harry befriended grandfather many times. He gathered food for him from other members and found places for him to sleep.
Abraham O. Smoot was the captain of the company. Even though buffalo, deer and antelope were plentiful, the captain warned people not to kill more than they actually needed. They were not molested by Indians, because they were given flour and sugar when they came to beg, however, their cattle were stampeded by buffalo and caused them a lot of trouble. They arrived in Salt Lake Valley September 28, 1852. Food was scarce and the little fellows were always hungry, so they learned quickly to hunt deer, wildberries, segos and fish.
The John Whiting family settled in Mountainville, or Alpine as it is known today. John was a bricklayer by trade and were acquaintances with grandfather's parents. He worked and lived with the Whitings until 1857. He was back and forth from Alpine to Salt Lake always looking for some kind of employment and lodgings. A veterinarian took him in for his board and room and grandfather learned a great deal about cows and all kinds of animals.
One summer day grandfather went to Alpine to visit with his two younger brothers Sam and Cyrus. He noticed a crowd of people at Bishop Mc Cullough's corral. One of the Bishop's best cows had become foundered eating too much green lucerne. It was in serious condition, all bloated up, grandfather sharpened a strong stick and quickly jabbed it in the cow's side allowing the poisonous gas to escape, Bishop McCullough was enraged and hit him over the head with a rake that he had in his hand. The cow recovered and the grateful Bishop offered him full employment to take care of his cattle.
In 1864, he drove four yoke of cattle back to the Missouri River and assisted in bringing immigrants to Utah. He also went out to meet a hand cart company that was caught in snow storms in the mountains. He had a great curiosity for the Indians and learned their customs and enough of their language to converse with them. During the Black Hawk trouble, he enlisted in Alva Green's Company and served 45 days. Because he understood the Indians, at the request of General Pace who was in charge of Military activities in San Pete County, he accompanied him as an interpreter all the time of his enlistment.
William T. married Theadocia Preston on January 31, 1870 in the Salt Lake Endowment House and later went to the Temple. He was now happy to settle down and take part in Community activities for he was 26 years old. Four children were born to them, William Henry 11 Sept. 1871; James Whitmore, my father, 4 March 1874; Mini Marie, 19 August 1880; Isaac Houston, 6 Dec. 1883. His wife, Theadocia died Dec. 24, 1883 after giving birth to Isaac Houston, the baby died Dec. 21 1883. Soon after William T. married Alice Healey, a friend of the family 11 March 1885. She died March 6, 1886, eight days after Richard was born Feb. 26, 1886, he died Sept. 7, 1886. On October 4, 1886, grandfather married Martha Eldredge Jackson. They were endowed 31 Jan 1886. They had two girls; Julia Ainer born 19 Aug. 1887 in American Fork Ut. and Emma Arlene born 28 Nov. 1891 American Fork, Ut.
He was a member of the 44th quorum of Seventies. He was justice of the peace from 1900 to 1905 in Alpine, also City Marshall for 3 years and chairman of the Old Folks Committee for 16 years in American Fork. He helped build the Alpine Stake Tabernacle and other fine buildings in that vicinity. The first $300.00 he saved he loaned to the Thomas Martin family, who were converts from England for their passage to Utah. Two of his children served on missions for the church. James Whitmore went to the Central States Mission, and Julia Ainer to the Southern States Mission.
William Thomas Brown died Jan. 31, 1928 age 85. The Deseret News account of his death, headlined with his picture. "This Pioneer was a builder and spreader of cheer and sunshine". Everyone that knew him said "He was the jolliest man in American Fork.
Written by Theadocia Brown Nicholes, (oldest of 12 living grandchildren) Typewritten by La Rean Nicholes Thompson, (great grandchild, daughter of Theadocia B. Nicholes)
WILLIAM THOMAS BROWN
by: George F. Shelley
William Thomas Brown was born in Lee Banks which is suburb of Edgbaston, which is [a] suburb of Birmingham, Warwickshire, England on first day of May 1843. His parents were Henry Brown, and Catherine Maria Wright. [from this it would appear that William Thomas Brown was actually born in Edgbaston, but grew up in Stratford-upon-Avon]
His father was by trade a bricklayer, and having accepted the Mormon Faith and the church being in need of builders in its new location in the Rocky Mountains, the family was encouraged to go to Utah to assist in building up Zion. Accordingly, taking advantage of the Church Perpetual Emigration Fund, Henry Brown together with his wife and six children, five boys and one girl, sailed from Liverpool to the sailing vessel “Ellen Maria.” In the early part of the year 1852, and after a voyage of six weeks landed at New Orleans. They, together with other saints in the company proceeded up the Mississippi River to St. Louis, and from thence up the Missouri River to Kansas City, which then consisted of but a few houses, at which place they arrived May 1, 1852,
In their preparations for the journey the company little dreamed of the calamity that was about to befall them. The dreaded cholera broke out among them, and before it subsided, many of them, the strong and the weak alike were carried away. Among the number that died were Henry Brown, his wife, and three children, leaving three boys, William, 9, Samuel age 7, and Cyrus age 5, orphans in a strange land and among comparatively strange people. Their mother, realizing that she was about to die said to William “You are going to the valley. Be a good boy,” and then addressing herself to a good sister, a member of the company, Emma Hill, said, “If I but knew that my little boy (referring to Cyrus) would be taken care of I would die happy.” Sister Hill and her husband, who were childless, took Cyrus and cared for him until manhood, he sometimes going by the name of Cyrus Hill.
Samuel was taken in charge by a man by the name of Thompson who brought him to the valley, but he after wards left him and went to the home of his aunt in Mountainville, now Alpine.
William, though only a boy of nine years was obliged to practically work his own way across. He assisted Harry Staples who had charge of the loose cattle in driving them, and Harry would befriend him by sneaking a little food from the other members of the company, which helped to satisfy the cravings of hunger that the boy often experienced during the long trip. At night he would creep into one of the wagons sometimes unknown to the other occupants.
On one occasion when obliged to cross a swift stream of water with the loose cattle, Brother Staples told William to hold on to one of the cow's tails. He did so, but when partly across he loosed his hold and was fast going down stream. He succeeded, however, in getting hold of another cow's tail and thus succeeded in landing on the other side safely. Harry Staples remarked. “You are sure born to be hung and not drowned.”
William Brown's memories as a boy in crossing the plains are that he was often hungry. Game was very plentiful consisting of buffalo, deer, and antelope. Food was secured on many occasions from this source. They were cautioned, however, by the Captain of the company, A. O. Smoot, not to kill more than they needed for their use. On at least one occasion vast herds of buffalo stampeded their cattle and caused much excitement and consternation among the members of the company. They were not molested by the Indians who at times came to their camp to beg for sugar, flour, and tobacco,
The company arrived in Salt Lake City on the 28 of September, 1852. They proceeded to Emigration Square where they unloaded their freight and packs.
Williams' parents belongings which had been brought across the plains were dumped off, and for four or five days the boy wandered around the city in company with another lad named Frank Turnbard, coming back to the family belongings at night to crawl in among them and sleep. Upon his return one night he found the family effects had been taken away by the church, and he then fully realized that he was an orphan boy in a strange land and among strange people without food or a place to find lodgings.
Soon after this, he was taken into the home of John Whiting, a follow bricklayer of his father's in whose home he remained until he was 22 years of age.
Brother Brown related that upon his arrival as a boy in Salt Lake City, he found a different Salt Lake than the one that exists today. On what is now Main Street, on the east side there was one store kept by a man by the name of Nixon, while on the other, west side of the street was a pole fence. Other stores soon after were established, including those of Livingston and Kinkade, and Gilbert and Garrish.
Goods were scarce in those days, greens and segos forming a considerable part of the bill of fare, and it was no uncommon thing for people to go hungry.
He well remembers Lydia Ritter (YOUNG), the mother of our fellow townsman, Clifford E. Young, who recently died in Salt Lake City. They were playmates together and Brother Brown recollects with kindly remembrance Sister Ritter, Lydia's mother who on many occasions spread him a piece of bread and molasses and sent it out with the girl for him.
An interesting incident in the life of the subject of this sketch is how he got his middle name, “Thomas.” This was not given him by his parents. When he arrived in Salt Lake City, he could read some, but a kind brother, Thomas Sutter, Taught him other branches of an education, and as compensation for his pains and trouble
asked that William take his name and from then on he took the name of William Thomas Brown.
During the time of the move southward in the fifties upon the approach of the Johnston's Army, he along with the Whiting family moved down to Mountainville where he remained during the summer of 1857. His Aunt, Eliza Brown Dyer resided here, having married Bishop Houston, the first Bishop of Alpine. His brother Samuel was also here, having come to Alpine to make his home.
William returned to Salt Lake City in the fall, and remembers returning to American Fork for a load of hay in 1869.
His recollections of Utah Valley in the fifties were that the benches were pretty well covered with bunch grass which later gave way for Sage brush, which he thinks was caused by feeding the grass off too closely by sheep, of which there were several herds in the valley. The houses were of the primitive type. A good many with dirt roofs. Game was plentiful. William and a companion having killed 14 deer in a day near Alpine.
Brother Brown came to Mountainville to make a permanent home in 1861. Thomas S. McCullough was then Bishop and the young man endeavored to get a home and employment with the Bishop, telling him that he would make him a handy man. The Bishop, however, at that time was not willing.
Sometime afterwards William noticed a crowd of people at Bishop McCullough's corral and upon investigating found that one of the Bishop's cows had become foundered eating alfalfa or lucerne, by which name it was then known. The bloated cow was in a serious condition and those present did not know what to do for it as lucerne was a new food. William, who had been associated some with a veterinarian in Salt Lake, had a sharp stick in his hand and he tried thrusting in into the side of the cow allowing the poisonous gasses to escape. Bishop McCullough was enraged and hit him over the head with a rake, but the cow recovered and was the means of William getting a home and employment with the Bishop.
In the year 1869, Brother Brown married Docia Preston in the old Endowment House in Salt Lake City and from that time on he became a part of the community activity. His wife's name was Theodocia Preston, a daughter of James and Emaline Houston Preston
He says of the social life of the people that dances were held in the old Alpine City Hall, and in the basement of the American Fork meeting house. He remembers an one occasion borrowing a pair of shoes from Brother Healey in Alpine, and attired in them and a pink shirt and blue overalls was a conspicuous figure dancing the old time plain Quadrilles.
Brother Brown had charge of dances in Alpine for a number of years. He was also chairman of the Old Folk's Committee for sixteen years.
During the Black Hawk trouble he enlisted for service in the Alva Green's company and served for a period of forty-five days. Being somewhat acquainted with the Indian language, at the request of General Pace, who was in charge of the Military activities in Sanpete County and thereabouts, he accompanied him as an interpreter, practically during [all] the time of his enlistment.
Before coming to Mountainville in 1864, he drove four yoke of cattle, back to the Missouri River, and assisted in bringing emigrants to Utah. He was also one who went out to meet the Hand Cart Company that was caught by the snow in the mountains. Many members of which perished with the cold. Brother Brown states that when relief reached them that their condition was indeed pitiful.
At the time this was written in 1925 Brother Brown was 82 years of age and resided at American Fork, and was well and hearty and took joy in the thought that he has assisted some in making the Desert blossom as a rose, and that members of his family had carried the gospel message to the people of the earth
written by George F. Shelley
William married Theodocia Preston on 61 Jan 1870, Salt Lake City, Utah. There were four children born to them, three boys and one girl, William Henry, James Whitmore, Minnie Maria, and Isaac Houston, (who died soon after birth). Theodocia died after giving birth to Isaac Houston. Little Minnie was given over to be brought up by her mother's sister Minnie Preston Grant. William took care of the boys himself for several years. He married Alice Healey, daughter of James and Mary Carlisle Healey. They were married 11 Mar 1885 at Logan, Cache Co., Utah in the Logan Temple. A baby boy named Richard Healey Brown, was born on 26 Feb 1886, and Alice died on the 6 Mar 1886, just eight days after her baby son was born. The baby was raised by Alice's sister Martha Nealey Strong until he was 6 months old and died 26 Aug 1886. This left William alone again. On 4 Oct, 1886 he married the widow of William Jackson, Mrs. Martha Eldredge Jackson. She was the mother of three Jackson children, one boy and two girls, Elmer, Pearl, and Ella. William and Martha had two girls, Julia Brown Knudsen and Arlene Brown Lemon.
William and Theodocia's children: William Henry Brown married Emily Borgeson on Santaquin, James Whitmore Brown married Sarah Boddison of Alpine; Minnie Brown married Joseph Ingersoll.
William and Martha's children: Julia Brown married William Knudson of Provo, Arlene Brown married Lyle Lemon.
No 30. (Extract of original records)
PERPETUAL EMIGRATION FUND COMPANY
ORGANIZED AT GREAT SALT LAKE CITY, DESERET, U.S.A.
October 6, 1849
Franklin D. Richards, Liverpool Agent
We the undersigned do hereby agree and bind ourselves to the Perpetual Emigrating runt 'company, in the following conditions, viz:-
That, in consideration of the aforesaid Company emigrating or transporting us, and our necessary luggage from Great Britain to the Valley of the Great Salt Lake, according to the Rules of the Company and the several instructions of their authorized agents;
We do severally and jointly promise and bind ourselves to continue with, and obey the instructions of, the Agent appointed to superintend our passage thither, that we will receipt for our passage previous to arriving at the several ports of Pew Orleans, St. Louis and Kanesville;
And that on our arrival in the Great Salt Lake Valley, we will hold ourselves, our time and our labor subject to the Perpetual Emigrating Fund Company until the full cost of our emigration is paid with interest if required.
AGE
Henry Brown 36
Maria Brown 33
Henry Brown 11
William Brown 9
Samuel Brown 7
Cyrus Brown 6
James Brown 3
Julia Brown 10 months
Feb 3rd 1852
Henry Brown born Spt 12, 1816
Maria Brown born 6 Nov, 1819
Henry Brown born May 17, 1841
William T. Brown born May 1. 1843
Sam. Brown Born Sep 28, 1846
Cy. M. Brown Born Oct 3, 1847
James Brown Born Jan 9, 1849
Julia Brown Born
There to a receipt about payment on this
Received Payment P. R. Anderson
D. E. F. Clerk $173.49
Salt Lake City
March 28, 1879
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Just three little boys survived the cholera on the trip to Utah from England, but they paid for the fare.
(Transcribed from original hand-written copy)
>My Father, Wm Th. Brown
(at the pen of Minnie B. Ingersoll)
The subject of our sketch was born at Stratford-on-Avon, Warwickshire, England on the 1st day of May, 1843. His parents were Henry Brown and Catherine Maria Wright. His father, Henry Brown and wife and six children, five boys and one girl sailed from Liverpool, the sailing vessel, “Ellen Maria” in the early part of the year 1852. After a voyage of six weeks landed at New Orleans. They, with other saints, came up the Mississippi River and thence the Missouri River to Kansas City. Preparations were made for the journey across the plains. Others in the company were William W. Jackson, the father of the Jackson family here. The dreaded cholera broke out among the strong and weak alike and carried away. Among the numbers that died were Henry Brown and three children, leaving three boys: William, aged 9, Samuel, aged 7 and Cyrus, aged 5. Emma Hill cared for Cyrus. Samuel was brought to the Valley of the Mountains by his aunt in Alpine, or Mountainville, as it was called then. Henry was by trade a bricklayer, and having accepted the Mormon faith, and the church being in need of building in the new location in the Rocky Mountains, the family was encouraged to go to Utah to assist in building up Zion.
Taking advantage of the Church Perpetual Fund [they proceeded to Utah]
William, only a boy of nine, helped drive the cattle along, barefooted. The company arrived in Salt Lake City, on 28th day of Sept. 1852. William Brown lived most of the time in Salt Lake City until 1864. Then he came to Alpine to live with Bishop McCullough in the year 1869. Brother Brown married “Docia” Preston in the Old Endowment House in Salt Lake City in 1864. He drove four yoke of cattle back to the Missouri River, assisting in bringing emigrants to Utah. He also was in the Black Hawk War in the Alvin Green Company.
MISCELLANEOUS OTHER SOURCE RECORDS:
(extracted by Julia Romania Brown Peterson, William Thomas's granddaughter)
Alpine Ward Records:
William Thomas Brown ordained and Elder 31 Jan 1870 by William Smith.
William Thomas Brown Rebap 9 Sep 1877 by J. Devey
William Thomas Brown Reconfimed 31 Oct 1875 by J. McCullough
William Thomas Brown married Mary Alice Healy, who was born 1 Sep 1856;
her father was James Healy and her mother Mary Carlisle
William Thomas Brown married Martha Eldredge Jackson, daughter of Jno. Eldredge and Sina Chipman
Theodocia Preston Brown died 31 Dec 1883. Died of childbirth in full faith in the Gospel.
Mary Alice Healy Brown died 6 Mar 1886 of childbirth firm in the faith.
William Thomas born 1 May 1843, Birmingham, England
Theodocia Preston born 5 May 1857, Alpine, Utah
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
William T. Brown & wife Theodosia Preston:
Children:
William Henry born 11 Sep 1871 in Alpine, Utah, Utah
James Whitmore born 4 March 1874 in Alpine, Utah, Utah
Minnie Maria born 19 August 1880 in Alpine, Utah, Utah
Isaac Houston born 6 Dec 1883 in Alpine, Utah, Utah
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
William Thomas Brown, son of Henry Brown and Catherine Maria Wright, bap. 1851 by Henry Brown and confirmed 1851 by John Banks, Rebap. Sep 9, 1877 by J. Devey and reconfirmed Sep 9, 1877 by D. Adams.
Theodocia bap. By James Preston, rebaptized Oct 31, 1875, reconfirmed 31 Oct 1875 by McCullough.
William Thomas Brown ordained [a] 70
James Whitmore Brown ordained Elder 4 Nov 1900 by A. Marsh
William Thomas Brown ordained elder 31 Jan 1870 by William Smith. Rebap 9 Sep 1877 by J. Devey, reconfirmed 31 Oct 1875 by J. McCullough
Married Mary Alice Healy, who was born 1 Sep 1856, her father was James Healy and mother Mary Carlisle
Married Martha Eldredge Jackson, daughter of Jno. Eldredge and Sina Chipman
Theodocia Preston Brown died 31 Dec 1883. Died of childbirth in full faith in the Gospel
Mary Alice Healy Brown died 6 Mar 1886 of childbirth firm in the faith