Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1889-12-11
Death Of a Good Man.

He Travelled as n missionary fon
years, principally in North Wales
and labored with marked zeal an,
success. He married Miss SaraI
Williams on May %, 1877; migrate,
TO st. Louis in January, 1855, an,
was president Of the Welsh Saint
who formed a considerable part {
the barge company on the ship. II,
remained in st. Louis sb5ut on.
year, when he went to Kingston
Ill. He remained there hut
short time when he removed (,
Canton, ILL.,, where he located in
the fall Of 1855.
He was at this TINE IN ve:s pool
circumstances financially, but ht
set TO work with will and soon i'm.
proved his pecuniary condition.
He was a coal miner, ut which call
ing he worked. After a time he pur-
chased q tract OF coal land in the
town Of Canton, which subsequent
ls became valuable property. He
also acquitted two other tracts of coal
land near Canton. In December
1875, Elder b. +. Cummings, Jr.,
who was travelling in Illinois es a
missionary, met him. He had long
been separated from intimate asso-
citation with the Saints, but his
faith IN the Gospel as taught by the
Prophet Joseph Smith was firm and
bright, and at his request he was
rebaptized by Elder Cummings,
January Sth, 1876.
He Immediately took an active
part in extending the work Of the
Gospel inCanton and vicinity, which
had now commenced TO open up in n
very gratifying manner. Owing
to the facilities Brother Williams
had for furnishing employment,
scattered Saints found, and
converts made by the Elders in that
region were invited by him TO come
to Canton, and in a few months n
branch Of about fifty members ex-
listed there, OF which he was presi-
dent.
At the opening Of the year 1876.
he was n wealthy man, and was
using his means generously to for
ward the work Of the Gospel. But
business reverses overlook him in
rapid succession, and before the
middle Of 1877 he was compelled TO
make a settlement with his credi-
tons which left him in poverty. The
settlement made, he had but
a few hundred dollars left. He
now made preparations TO gather
to Zion, and out Of his scanty funds
he generously assisted a score or
more members Of the Canton branch
to pay their fares to Utah. He ar
rived in Ogden August 2, 1877, and
a few days later came 10 this city,
almost without dollar. But he and
his family were happy and cheer
full. He began the business OF a re-
tail coal dealer in a small way, In
which he continued for some
months when, early in the year ISIS,
he was called on mission to the |
Southern States. He responded and
labored in that field eleven months |
when he was honOr8bly released.
He was an excellent geologist and |
IN experienced coal mine manager.
md soon after his return from his |
he became manager Of the |
D. & r. G. coal mines, at Pleasant |
Valley, in October, lSSO.
The mines were rapidly developed
Inder his control and soon quite a
of miners and their fam
lies were gathered there. Many Of
hese being Eatter-day Saints,
branch Of the Church was ofganiEed /
Il which he was made president. In
SIS Pleasant Valley Ward was or
;anized and he was ordained a
Bishop and set apart to preside ov er
t.
He continued in this position till
December, 1855, when he went on a
mission to Wales. For n time he
abored as n travelling Elder, but
alter became president Of the Welsh
mission, with n numerous and ener-
,etic corps ofmissionaTies under him.
During his administration that mis-
ion assumed an activity it had not
.nown for many years. He
pent his own money freely 10
Oreward it, and lahored with great
cal and energy. 1t was while he
vas president Of the Welsh mission
hat Jarmanlcreatedgreat excitement
n that country. Repeatedly Brother
Williams was surrounded by howl
ng mObs, who thirsted for his
Hood; but physical fear was an
motion unknown to him, and he
lever shrank from either danger or
Iuty.
He returned to Utah in Novem-
'er, 1SSs. During the three years
( his mission, asthma, a disease
rom which he had long suffered
more or less, became deep seated,
nd he never obtained relief from il.
Notwithstanding his broken health,
lie could not brook inactivity, and
n May Of this year he opened n
eneral mercantile business at Price,
smery County. From that time
ntil his death he suffered terribly
{ frequent intervals. He passed
way like child falling to sleep.
Brother Williams was n good and
remarkable man. He was n natur-
! leader, and gifted with rare abili-
les in some directions. To look
ltO his clear, blue, earnest eyes and
Oubt his honesty, was impossible.
lie decided the most important !
lattcrs instantly, and was generally
uided by a correct intuition. In :
is business plans and enterprises II {
as nearly always leading object I
, provide employment or aid for
theirs, and he has planned for and
elped 10 feed thousands. Ingrati-
Ide which is so often the reward
the philanthropic worker, never
Terved him from his purpose 10
dor for the welfare Of Others. He
as a father to his employees.
AS a parent he was solicit
rs for and devotedly attached
his children; as hGs- ,
and he was tender and affec- ,
oRate: as n business man he was
ltelligent and thoroughly reliable;
nd as a Latter-day Saint he lived /
nd died faithful to the obligations {
7 the Gospel, having a firm assur-
nee Of his election TO n glorious
He leaves two wives and was the
ther of fourteen children, seven of
HON survive him. He also had a
rye number of grandchildren.
hese, with hundreds Of his ceun- :
ymen living in this region, and n l
Ost of other friends and acauaint-
noes, will cherish his memory as
lat Of a man worthy Of their esteem !
nj affection. Peaceful be his rest.
NM. Star, please copy.