WHITE, WILLIAM 1863 WILLIAM WHITE By Clara Sparks, his Daughter My father was born April 10, 1830 in Hamshire, England. When he was five years old his father, Thomas White, died which made him very responsible early in life. His widowed mother depended much upon him for her support. He took an early training in mechanics becoming very efficient. He received the Gospel and was baptized in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints April 1, 1848 at the age of 18. He served as Home missionary in England, and while in this capacity met my mother who was then a very young widow. They fell in love with each other and were married. Father became fireman on a sailing vessel and then advanced to Engineer making many long voyages all over the world; Africa, West Indies, Australia, Portugal, Spain, and many of the Isles of the sea. His experiences on the sea were sometimes very trying. On several occasions his life was in peril; one incident in particular, he was in danger of his life and seemed to have the power of disernment in times of need. On this occasion they were seemingly sailing on high sea and he gave orders to his crew to clean an prepare every pump on the vessel and put them in perfect condition to be used in emergency. They did not see the necessity, but he firmly insisted on its being done, and they had no sooner accomplished the feat when the ship struck a large rock and caused a hole in the vessel. All the pumps had to be used quickly. Had they not been prepared it might have proven disasterous. On another occasion fire broke out on lower deck, the Captain was in doubt as to where to cut a hole to get at the fire. He referred to father for his judgement. He soon designated the very place that was safest and they were able to extinguish the fire 3 before it was incontrolable. On several occasions after corning to Utah his power of disernment was given him in times of deep distress. While on his last long voyage he received word from my mother that she and her little family of four had started to Utah with a company of Saints. Knowing that she was taking that long journey with out him caused him much anxiety and suffering for the care and safety of his loved ones. So he immediately arranged to follow her to Utah at the earliest opportunity which was a year later, I863. When he arrived in Utah he secured a home in the 16th ward, Salt Lake City. In the course of a few years he found that there was little in his mechanical line in Salt Lake, so he sold his little home for wheat which was $5.00 a bushel and walked to Cache Valley to locate another building spot where he would be able to support his family which was increasing. When he decided to locate, his wheat was not valued at more than half the price he had given. Under great difficulty and disappointments he finally built his little house, being handy with carpenter's tools as well as mechanics. Being disappointed in the completion of his home, they were obliged to live under dirt roof which was very disagreeable in times of stormy weather. The following year he shingled the house, spending many days on the roof with a two-year old babe in his lap, due to his wife's delicate condition and care of the other children. There was little opportunity in Cache Valley to make much of a living and he accepted a position to run a saw mill in Dry Creek Canyon, which necessitated him taking his family with him. They packed as little as they could expecting sometime to return, but circumstances prevented it. They were burned out of that canyon and went to the nearest town, as his family had to be sheltered immediately. 4 He suffered mental and physical strain caused by the fire, having to pass through flames to protect his family, financial conditions prevented him f rom returning to get his belongings so that only a few boxes which had been packed were sent to him. The rest of his property was turned in for tithing. On account of the country being new and the work in his profession was scarce he went from canyon to canyon to find something to do that would support his family. Finally he decided to take out a homestead where he built a little two-roomed house at the mouth of Hardscrabble Canyon, First he tried to farm, but he was thoroughly unacquainted with that line of work so he accepted the first opportunity to work at his trade. W.W. Writer engaged him to run a steam launch, the first that was placed on Great Salt Lake. From then things looked brighter as there were more positions open for the men with his ability. He next took a position under Writer, running a steam engine, a little narrow gague from Coalville to Echo, which carried passengers and coal. Later an opportunity was offered for him to lease the coal mines in Coalville which was owned by a company; Writer Bros and Crisman. This was the most remunerative position which he was able to obtain. It was also the most responsible; but he operated it for several years with great success. It also furnished work for two of his sons. The greatest difficulty in handling the mines was from the constant breaking out of fire and filling up with water which had to be constantly pumped out. On some occasions my father endangered his life being obliged to go into the mines to smother the fire, sometimes using heavy wet rugs or carpets to back it down. Then often a faulty pump made it necessary for him to go into the black damp so deeply that it would render him unconscious. Three different occasions his sons have carried him out lifeless from the 5 effects of the gas. This eventually impared his health and he was obliged to release the mines. In a few years he became an invalid, and as my mother was unable to give him necessary care, I went with him to his old home where my brother Tom was then in charge. He then received fresh air and quiet, away from the city. He lived only one year in his old home. Ke died September 14, 1890 at the age of 64. Father was light, had blue eyes, medium height and was a trifle stout. He was a very tender and affectionate father, generous with his means. One of his very outstanding characteristics was his honesty. In case of a question he always gave the other party the benefit of the doubt. In times of danger he seemed to have the gift of disernment, was fearless and had much courage. He was always a true and devoted husband.