American Fork citizen. [volume] (American Fork, Utah) 1912-1979, 1916-12-09
DEATH CLAIMS
USEFUL citizen
Was Father of Thirty -one children,
Was Great Leader In Musical nns
Educational Circles. a.

William Grant, an early settler Of
American Fork and one OF the bost.
known characters OF this city, died a.
the family residence. o'clock Sat-
urday morning. He was active In hIs|
business up until FIVE days prior cbI
his demise. when he was stric1xcnI
with bronchitis and gradually faj1od'
till. the end. He had also been q sat-
ferer with Bright's disease. which
probably weakened his constitutiona
Mr.. Grant was born at Willenh1J},'
Staffordshire, England. on Christ116o
day, 1888 He was always Of u
deeply religious mind. and joined the
Mormon Church on his birthday;
1850. Nine vars later, on his birth
day, he was married to his first WIFE,,
and seven years later emigrated to-
America, arriving in Salt Lake IN.
April, 1866.
He was man of great musical tel@
ents, and after remaining short time
in Salt Lake, he was called to Amer!
lean Fork to take charge Of IN
church choir. He also organized
brass band and was its leader q
years. He has probably done mo1
for this city, unsteady, than all oth%
ers combined. At the time OF hiX
death no was choir Director for tho
Old Folks Committee. n
He was n man OF great activity ~
church, musical and educational cir<
cles, and had he devoted his energia4
to selfish purposes, instead Of for tlaN
public, he would have been a man
wealth.
lie was the oldest merchant
American Fork, being the owner
Grants Emporium. for years one
the largest music houses south
Salt Lake, and containing the .gi'
est collection of novelties OF
store In the state outside OF Salt
City. This is one of the Oldest
tablished and best known bus
houses In the county.
lie had been married 'twfcd. BY
first wife he was the father of thir-
teen children and by his second wife
he was the father of eighteen, making
total OF thirty one, nineteen OF
whom, with the second wife, still sur
viye. He has fifty-two living grand
children and fifteen great-grand-
children.
The funeral services We're held in
the Tabernacle Tuesday afternoon at
| o'clock. The band accompanied
them from the house to the Taber-
nacle and played Nearer My God 70
Thee" as they marched in. Bishop
James T. Gardner presided. The open
ing song was by the choir OF the
Fourth Ward. "0h, My Father; the
prayer was offered by Mr. James
Crystal. the second song was, VINO
Are These Arrayed in White sang
u
nv auartctte from vie First Ward
The first speaker was Joseph -
Forbes. who gave a short biography
Of Mr.. Grants life and who also read
some original poetry, composed py
Mr.. Grant. The other speakers were
Patriarch w. b. Smith. James h
, Clarke. Martin Hanson, John Dewey
NJ Iebi. Eli ]. Clayson and Pres. 5
/. Chipman, besides Bishop Gardner
all of whom told Of the noble life OF
Mr.. Grant. Mrs. Berle Johnson sang
81 Know That My Redeemer Lives
and Mrs. Minnie Pulley sang, The
Vacant Chair" both favorite songs OF
Mr.. Grant. Mr.. George Morrison, OF
Springvillc. one OF the Black Hawi
war veterans, sang song composed
nv Mr.. Grant to the tune Of "oh, My
Father The benediction was Offered
nv Patriarch Henry Moyle OF Alpine
This was one of the largest funerals
ever held In American Fork and the
floral tributes were most bcautiini
The band occupied seats on the stah'
and also eight Of the Oldest gentle
men who were the first pioneers o
this state. All places Of business were
closed during the services