Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1886-01-15
DEATH OF WILLIAM JENNINGS.
Another of Utah,s Prominent Set.
tiers Passes TO the Great beyond.

Another of Utah,s Prominent Set
tiers Passes TO the Great beyond.
For several days the Devereux Hous
has worn mantle of sorrow and gloon
that portended some dreadful event, from
the contemplation-of which its occupant.
have continued to shrink day by day, al
the condition of its hospitable and nov
lamented host grew more and more dan
gerous. During the past few days ant
nights the family and one or two lifetim,
friends OF Mr.. Jennings have kept close
vigil at his bedside, where also DR.. Ben
edict, the attending physician, remained
almost uninterruptedly. At a few
minutes past six o'clock last evening he
became quite unconscious, and the
gravest fears which haG been forcing
themselves oninously upon the minds OF
those present for days, gave place to ter
rlble alarm, and the devoted watch dur.
Ing the silent hours of the night was
characterized by the utmost solicitude on
the part of the family. The doctor had
already made the announcement that
any hour might witness the demise of the
distinguished patient, and during this
forenoon it was frequently rumored that
William Jennings had passed to
the great hereafter 1t was not till
l2:45 this afternoon, however. that
he breathed his last, and the quiet,
peaceful dissolution of spirit and
body took place, in the presence
of most of his family. When it was
really known that death had come the
members of the family, those few
trusted and tried friends present relieved
their pent-up feelings in unsurpassed
grief. DR.. Benedict pronounced the
disease Dialects Mellitus, and regarded it
as very similar to the form with which
the late Capt. Hooper had suffered. The
body was at once taken care of by under
taker J. W. Taylor, and some prelimin-
airy arrangements effected look
ing to the funeral, no date of
which has as yet been fixed.
Mr.. Jennings had been confined to his
bed since the oath of last December, and
had then enjoyed but brief rest from his
autumn illness, which lasted some time.
1t has been during the last week, how
ever, that he developed very dangerous
symptoms, but not earlier than last Sun
day was his condition considered hope
less. AT intervals he was quite bright,
and even during yesterday morning trans
acted some matters of business. He.
evidently realized his true state, however,
and attached his signature to his will
several days ago.
In the death of William Jennings, the
community loses one of the ablest, and
,ruest of its comparatively few extraordi-
nary men. He was prominent mem
Der OF that little group of men Of charac-
er whose worth and integrity are blended
n all the notable works of enterprise and
progress in Utah. His was not nature
hat could become easily blended in with
he generality of men, because he had |
and that character and accom-
'anying independence are recorded side
~ side with most of his achievements, |
which are many. His wonderful execu-
i've and financial ability was scarcely
more prominent than his uniform hospi-
atty, which has undoubtedly made for
1r. Jennings more friends amongst all
lasses of the community, we believe,
nan those of any other of our citizens.
he spacious rooms and well-dressed ia
les of his elegant residence were always
pen to friends, and there are very few
laces were more thoroughly enjoyable
nd hospitable entertainments have been
wen than at the Devereux house.
William Jennings was the son OF Isaac
ennings and Jane Thornton, and was
orn at Yardley, near Birmingham, Eng
nd, September Is, 1923, making him a
tile more than 81 years of age at the
ME of his death. He belonged to
rye family, consisting of five
ms and five daughters, and while
; did not suffer the disadvant- !
res of poverty, his father being
ealthy butcher of the town, his youth
as associated with other difficulties
hich prevented his securing the educa-
IN which he has frequently wished for
ace. He left school at the early age of
and although in delicate health-the
suit of an accident-he developed 4
eat love for business, and while still
tie more than fourteen years of age was
trusted with responsible matters per-
ming to his fathers business. At the
e of "a he .emigrated to America, in 7
ired by the spirit and influence which =
ought SO many men of character to this y
e land; but it was not untilsome years a
er that he became identified with d
, Mormon church. Finding himself G
ssessed of much less money than am y
ion, the first year of his residence in u
aerica involved many and dis '
raging difficulties, all of which 81
re overcome without the surrender p
that priceless integrity and %
'bity which have beautifed his subse- al
ent career in Utah; and he continued ~ ~
push out in quest of better opportuni- = =
J. The year following his arrival in 81 81
W York found him in Ohio, and in " "
nething like similar period =:
had pushed his way to st. ~
eph, Mo-, and it was here that his l
ociation with the Latter-day Saints be- .:
!. In the year 1851 he married Miss III III
e Walker, a Mormon emigrant, and ~
following year went with his wife =;
Utah, not, however, joining VI
Mormon church until some time after oe
arrival in Salt Lake City. His career W W
Jtah has been that of wise and hon ID
ole leader in the progress OF business, all
his name will long be remembered ie
,ughout the entire community, where
monuments to his greatness and wl
dness will last forever. wv w