Tribute to his brother Henry Visser given by Julius Visser

Memorial Services for Henry Visser June 19, 1987 Murray 8th ward
I'm including this information on this blog because it has so many details about the Visser family
Reading:
Should you go first and I remain To walk the road alone,
I'll live in memory's garden, dear, With happy days we've known.
In Spring I'll watch for roses red, When fades the lilac blue,
In early Fall when brown leaves call I'll catch a glimpse of you.
Should you go first and I remain For battles to be fought,
Each thing you've touched along the way Will be a hallowed spot.
I'll hear your voice, I'll see your smile, Though blindly I may grope,
The memory of your helping hand Will buoy me on with hope.
Should you go first and I remain To finish with the scroll,
No length'ning shadows shall creep in To make this life seem droll.
We've known so much of happiness, We'be had our cup of joy,
And memory is one gift of God That death cannot destroy.
Should you go first and I remain, One thing I'd have you do:
Walk slowly down that long, lone path, For soon I'll follow you.
I'll want to know each step you take, That I may walk the same,.
For some day down that lonely road, You'll hear me call--your name.

Speaker: Julius Visser:
Friends, family, loved ones, it is with mixed emotions that I stand here today to try to express my thoughts, and the thoughts of my brother, Henry, to you as family, especially after These lovely ladies took part of my speech, and I'd like to pay a dear tribute to my brother, Henry.  He is one of four sons of Mathew and Amelia Visser, the fifth child born into the family.
We've had many choice days together as young brothers. memories that will now pass away unless someone in the family writes a record. So we have come to another intersection in our life; the crossroads, and each and every one of us have the opportunity to choose which way to go. That was one of the greatest gifts that our Heavenly Father gave to each of us-The gift of free agency. To choose for ourselves what we want, and what we want to make our lives. Not only in this mortal life, but in the eternities to come.
Let me start by trying to follow the outline that I have, and I'm going to read the last verse, "should I Go First." You've heard it just sung.
Should you go first and I remain, One thing I'd have you do;
Walk slowly in that long, lone path, For soon I'll follow you.
I'll want to know each step you take That I may walk the same,
For someday down that lonely road You'll hear me call your name.
And for a lot of us that are here today, as I look into your faces, it won't be very long as time passes rapidly.

Lola asked me to give a sort of life history of Henry to the best of my memory. I'll try to do that. Dad and Mom moved from Salt Lake City out into Sandy area and homesteaded a little piece of ground out there where all of kids were born and raised, except John, the oldest boy. My oldest brother was born in Sal Lake city. The rest were born at home. We were all delivered by Dr. Born, that as at home, the give of us. Didn't have hospitalization at that time: the closest hospital was in Salt Lake at that time.

He was born on September 29, 1925, and the address was Star Route at that time which was on 17th East and about 9550 South. There were only eight families that lived in that area from, with my memory chuch goes back a few years, 1918 about until 1972- Eight families that lived within an area of about four or five square miles each way. And the life that we lived we made for ourselves. Most of the time it was diggin an existence out of the farm to live. We all had our responsibilities as the sisters know. Dad and Mom had moved out there with a little four-room frame house, had chickens and pigs, some sheep and some cows. And that was a good living in those days because all you got was what you could eat and a few clothes to wear. When we started school, we each got a pair of new overalls, two shirts, and a pair of Boy Scout shoes. I know some of you have never heard of Boy Scout shoes, but some of you might remember. And that was usually our clothing for the year to go to school. Each Saturday Mom would wash the clothes, and we'd have clean clothes for the following week. And when we got old enough we went to school down in old Sandy, and we had the opportunity of riding a school wagon with a team of horses on the front, and in the wintertime it was a bob sleigh. Tom Kelly was the, what they call the bus driver now.

We had a lot of happy times going back and forth to school. We'd play and run along side the wagon and the bob sleigh we'd get in the wintertime, and we'd slide underneath in the back. We enjoyed our life as young boys and girls. And on December 7, 1943, Henry enlisted into the Marine Corp and fought in the Southern Pacific for 26th months. He was in some serious battles--Saipan, Tinian, Iwo Jima. A lot of you have seen some of the films and know the battles that were fought for our freedom. Yes, he had many close calls with death.
Henry and I talked just before he came out of the hospital this last time for some span of time. The doctors told him his time was short. Said we could extend your life for maybe three weeks, three months, maybe six months, if your wanted to take chemotherapy and the other treatments to cook your body. And as he sat in the doctors office and meditated for a span of time, he had seen his other brothers suffer. They both, John and Dick, died "Can you keep me comfortable without too much pain and let me drift away?" That was his personal choice. The doctor said we can do that if that's what you would like. That was about three weeks before he passed away.
As we came home, I'm going to tell you a choice experience that I had with him. Henry never had much of an opportunity to learn of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and he had been meditating for a few days and I came in by his bedside. Lola was out working in the yard, trying to get some peace of mind. And he said,Brother Jude, what's going to happen to me? Where am I going? Do I have to lay in that grave for years and years and years?" And that opened the door to tell him of the plan of salvation that our Heavenly Father so gratefully gave each and evyone of us an opportunity to know.
I told him, in the beginning, Henry you and I, all of us, had a Heavenly Mother and Heavenly Father and there we were raised in their presence, just as we were raised in our mother and father's presence. We grew to maturity in the heavens with our heavenly parents. As we grew older we noticed tthat they had bodies different than ours so we asked our Heavenly Father,  can I have a body lie yours? And he told each and every one of us that he would provide a world for us that we may inherit the immortal body. That's when the earth was created. So our elder brother, Jesus Christ, and Michael, who is also our brother known as Adam, under the direction of our Heavenly Father created this world for each and every one of us to live on. And when that seventh dispensations it took to create this world for each and every one of us to live on. And when that seventh dispensations it took to create the earth was finished, he placed Adam on the earth, our first earthly parents, all of us are related to Adam and Eve. They were the beginning of this generation. And time went on and all the bodies that were created by Adam and Eve's posterity gave you and I, they were our first earthly parents, as you are the earthly parents of you sons and daughters and you young people will be parents of more spirit children of our Heavenly Father who will come to this earth before it's complete.
So I told Henry that you are now in your second estate. You inherited eternal life from your Heavenly Father which He gave so graciously for you that you may progress in the heavens above in the eternities to come. You've inherited a mortal body and you have raised a choice family- you and your wife as a unit, and if you accept the gospel of Jesus Christ and are sealed and married for time and all eternity, you will then live as a family forever. If you do not do that, you will be administering angels to the others.
Henry was born under the covenant of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He is sealed to his mother and father. His spirit is still with us today, and it will remain until his body is laid in the grave so that when his day, appointed time of resurrection, comes to him, he will come and raise that body and become an immortal person reunited body and spirit the same as the Savior, Jesus Christ did when he laid in the tomb and his spirit went to Paradise to the spirit children that were in prison that had never had the opportunity to receive the gospel and there he went. That was the appointed assignment by his Heavenly Father to open the graves of resurrection so that everyone good or bad who came to this earth will be resurrected. That's a free gift that the Savior did for you and I.
As I told Henry the story, peace came to his heart and to his mind. He said, and where will I go? I said, Mom or Dad John or Dick will come, take you by the hand and there you will be led to your eternal home in Paradise until the appointed time comes to receive your body again and become a resurrected being. And he said I can accept that. I told him I promised him through all the power of the priesthood and the love as a brother that this would happen. The Prophet Joseph Smith was privileged to open the veil and see into the heavens. You and I can do that if we could live honorable life-a life without sin. The veil is very, very thin. The spirit that has gone before according to the writings of Joseph Fielding Smith, one of the prophets of our Heavenly Father, had that opportunity of seeing into the eternities, and he wrote it down for us to read and to understand and to enlighten our knowledge. It's a sorrowful life for people that don't understand the plan of salvation. Death is but a parting of moment to us. We all must sacrifice for each other and for ourselves, our families, I mean, just as the Savior scarificed his life for you and I to receive resurrection.
I'm glad I'm the first speaker 'cause I can take all the time I want. So Henry then understood and knew what laid ahead of him, and he after his few hours of time will go to his earthly parents who lve in paradise and will be reunited with them. Living there without sorrow, without pain, without suffering, and you and I will receive that same thing. From Thereon depends on what we do here in mortality to what degree of glory we receive after that.
Lola asked me to give a little outline of my parents, your parents, grandparents, and great grandparents, Mathew Visser. Grandpa Visser what we found out in 1972, the kind of a life that was of a kind of a man that he was made me very proud of him. My sisters and brothers don't know really the kind of a man that he was. I have a letter here that he wrote to his first wife. He lived in Holland. There married his first wife a gal by the name of Skelton and had three children. The Mormon elders found dad and introduced the gospel to him and he liked what he heard. He was one of the choice spirits in our Heavenly Father's presence also, that accepted the gospel when he came to mortal life and heard it. I'll read a part of it. It tells of how he really felt about his children. How Henry feels about his children and his grandchildren and how I feel. I love my children. Family is the only thing that is worthwhile in this life. You may get riches, lands, and whatever, but it is only yours to use. It belongs to our Heavenly Father. And he left the old country and came to Utah to see what the Prophet Brigham Young had built. And this is his letter to his first wife, he just came to see what it was like and wanted to back to get his family and bring them to Utah to live with the Saints.
It goes like this: "received your letter Saturday and then I understood that you do not plan to come here at least so it seemed. Anyway the content of your letter was that you were not coming. It doesn't seem right to me that a woman who pledge to love a man and who won't follow him, but it was to be expected because you wouldn't move to Dorcrecht and that was so close by. You wrote concerning the money from the pigs, and we shall let that remain as it is. I give the house, all the furniture, and you are free to do with it what you will. You can take the children to my sister, and I will send the necessary money for their education. Be careful that you do not harm them in any way. If you do, because your punishment is close at hand. The talk of the people there in Graysdell leaves me cold. I am far enough away that I don't hear it. You need not write to me again because I won't write you again. I have struggled with you for many years. I think it is long enough. You have teased me enough. Before we were married I asked you if you would serve God as much as possible, but you soon forgot your promise. And the last few years you have tried to pull me away also from the gospel. Therefore, it is better that we end this struggle because if you did come here, it would only begin again and it would be worse than before. I've warned you enough when I was there and also in letters so that you can never say when you stand before the great judge that you did not know. You shall then hear that you rejected the truth and thenit will be very terrible for you. I ask you once again to repent for the last time, and also that you do not let the children whom I received from my Heavenly Father grow up and be wild because they shall judge you and say, Mother, it is your fault that we are not by our father in heavens, and now we must forever stay here by the devil and his angels. That shall be terrible for you to be so judged for your own children. I cannot stop without once again calling you, cast the devil out of your heart and let the good spirit dwell therein. Then there is for you as well as for all of us, still a hoe for the future. Greet the children for their father and tell them they shall sometime be nearby me because my Heavenly Father shall not leave me here un-comforted, and now farewell for this world. Hereafter I shall see you again, maybe in glory if I remain true. And you in sorrow, if you do not repent. So goodbye children, Dad shall pray for you. If you can't see it, he can't see you. Once again I shall put my arms around you and then we shall never be separated again."
That was the kind of man your grandfather was. He loved his children. he came to Salt Lake City and returned. After two or three years he met our mother and raised a second family. Henry was one of these boys.
I hope that these children and grandchildren can be proud of Henry. I hope that you do not mar the name that he left you. Be proud of who you are. The Lord loves each and every one of us. He wants us to come back into His presence and live with our Heavenly Father and our Heavenly Mother forever in joy and happiness
May this be our happy lot for all of us, I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen

John Walton Price traveled to the Salt Lake Valley with the Cyrus Wheelock Company in 1853. 

He was 1- years-old at that time. pg. 4 

mother while Mr. Sutherland was on a mission. He did chores in the winter and 
worked on the farm in the summer. He also worked for Dr. Sutherland's 
grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Hansen. When he was 17 he came to Idaho. 

John Price asked permission of his first wife to marry a third wife, and she 
refused and got a divorce. The third marriage was solemnized in the year 1886 
when he married Eliza Kunz. 

Mr. Price was living in polygamy and he, along with other brethren, in the 
Church, were forced to evade the law or serve time. He and his family traveled to 
New Mexico where they had some very interesting experiences. When they 
returned Mr. Price told his children to tell the officers that he was in Provo to 
prevent them from finding and arresting him. At one time, the neighbors sent word 
that the officers were spying around, in hopes that he would have time to escape. 
He would hide in the cornfield or any other shelter. One day, they came without 
warning while the men were hauling hay. The stack was quite high, but he slid 
down the opposite side and crawled into a ditch to hide. The officers were sure that 
he was in the hay. They jabbed all over the stack until they had proved to their 
satisfaction that he was not to be found. One day the officers asked Wilford where 
his father was and he answered, "He's gone to Provo." The officers went to Provo to 
look for him. He then decided to give up and serve a shorter sentence. He went to 
the store where the officers were watching for him and entered the back door. He 
surprised them and said, "Here I am." The officer remarked that he had surely 
taught that kid to lie, referring to Wilford. His third wife's baby was two-weeks-old 
when the marshal presented him for polygamy in Wasatch County. 

After he gave himself up, his children, Wilford and Martha, went to see him 
at the penitentiary. As they stood outside the gate and the warden approached 
them. The children said that they simply wanted to see their daddy. Not only did 
the warden oblige but allowed Wilford and Martha to see their dad at any time after 
that. Mr. Price spent 4 months and 10 days at the "pen" with many other Church 
brethren. He had a great deal of freedom and, under the conditions, he enjoyed 
himself. 

After returning home he and Eliza had a total of eight children, which made a 
grand total of 19 children he fathered and 29 grandchildren. 

The time was near when he would soon leave his earthly home and go to 
meet his reward in heaven. On his birthday, February 2nd, 1904 his wife became ill. 
His daughter came to see him, and his son brought him a cake. He was now 70 - 
years-old and very weak. On February 9th, he had an earache and was very sick. 
On February 10th, he scarcely knew anything. The doctor said it was spinal 
John Walton Price traveled to the Salt Lake Valley with the Cyrus Wheelock Company in 1853. 

He was 19-years-old at that time. pg. 5 

meningitis. 1 he children were called. On February 11, 1904, at 11:15 p.m., the angel 
o\ death moved around his bedside and took him home. He was buried February 
1 5 1 904 in the Mill Creek cemetery. 

Recollection by Martha Price Faggand Wi If ord James Price, children. 

Grandfather John Walton Price came from Herefordshire, England when he 
was 24-years-old. He was one of the soldiers that met Johnson's Army. He was 
married shortly after he came to Utah to a widow that had the misfortune of losing 
her husband and six children. 

Grandfather Price was trained while growing into manhood to care for 
animals and work on the farm in England. He was looked on as an agriculturist and 
veterinarian. As the story goes: There was a disease among the cattle in Salt Lake 
during the first years that he was there. He was kept busy doctoring the cattle. He 
was very successful and saved almost every one he treated. The people at that time 
had run out of flour and were eating bulrush roots, and the loss of cows was almost 
more than they could stand. One couple had a very dear cow, only one, and she was 
sick. They were so afraid she would die. They went to Brigham Young and asked 
him what to do. He told them to go to John Price. He was sure this man could help 
her and he did save the cow. 

John Price was a valuable person in the community. People took his advice as 
to planting crops. On account of the alkali, they were at a loss to know what would 
grow. 

Recollection by Ivie Josephine Judy Price, daughter-in-law 

1885 

Sugarhouse Territorial Prison 
John Walton Price serving time for practicing polygamy. 

He was with good company; 

seated center is Mormon Apostle George Q. Cannon 

along with other Mormon leaders incarcerated within the prison system. 

John Walton Price is front row, far left 


(I will insert Photo)

John Walton Price 

Born: 2 February 1833 

Whitbourne, Herefordshire, England 

Son of Thomas Walton Price 

and Jane Rowley Colley 

Married: 

Caroline Amelia Christiansen 

30 August 1875 

Salt Lake City, Utah 

Died: 11 February 1904 

Millcreek, Utah 

John Walton Price is the father of Wilf ord James Price who is the father of 

Ellis Ray Price. 

John Walton Price came to the Salt Lake Valley on the Cyrus Wheelock Company 

in 1853. He traveled with his parents, Thomas Walton Price and Jane Rowley 

Colley. James was 19-years-old at that time. 

In 1842, between the age of eight and nine, he was baptized and confirmed a 
member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Brother Jones. 

He was a farmer by occupation. While just a boy, he fell and broke his arm 
between the wrist and elbow. It was very sore, but he was compelled to work very 
hard loading a wagon the first week it was broken. It was not until the fourth week 
that he was able to use it without difficulty. In the following two years, a horse 
stomped him to the ground and broke two ribs on the right side of his body. A short 
time after that, he was taken very sick with the shingles and was given up by all 
human power, but by the spirit of God and administration of the elders, he was 
healed. 

He worked away from home at the age of 12 as an apprentice at Hampshire, 
England, to learn the trade of agriculture and stockman. He was assigned to be a 
horseman for some time. He led the lead horse when they hauled grain 10 or 12 
miles to market. Also when they worked on the farm, he was promoted to wagoner. 
He could ride on the wagon or walk behind as he chose. The wagoner helped stop 
the long train of horses and helped the horsemen. From that job, he was promoted 
to cowman. Here he was taught how to care for cows and to be a veterinarian. It 
took several years before he was released to go work for himself. Not long after his 
graduation he came to America. 

The family all united in gaining wealth to come to "Zion, the home of the John Walton Price traveled to the Salt Lake Valley with the Cyrus Wheelock Company in 1853. 

He was 19-years-old at that time. pg. 2 

free." After much hard toil, they boarded the ship, Ellen Maria, on January 6, 1853 
with the Ten Pound Company. They were detained in port several days by contrary 
winds, but finally sailed from Liverpool on January 17, 1853. On this vessel, the 
presidency of the British Mission shipped 332 saints under the leadership of Elder 
Moses Clawson. Among the number were Elder Thomas Pugh, late counselor of the 
president of the Church in Wales, and Elder George Kendall, who had presided over 
the Derbyshire Conference. 

The voyage proved pretty rough and stormy, especially during the first eight 
days after leaving port, considerable sickness prevailed among the Saints. Among 
others, President Clawson was sick nearly the entire voyage. Five births and five 
deaths occurred on board. Two marriages were solemnized on March 6, 1853. 

The Ellen Maria arrived with her precious cargo in New Orleans, making the 
voyage from Liverpool in 47 days. From New Orleans, the emigrants continued 
their journey to St. Louis, Missouri. They arrived there March 18, 1853, and 
proceeded up the river to Keokuk, Iowa from which place their journey across the 
plains by ox teams was commenced. 

Cyrus H. Wheelock's company and 400 souls traveled under the provision of 
the Ten Pound Company and a few by the Perpetual Emigration Fund Company. 
Captain Wheelock was assisted by Brothers Dykes, James Pixton Kendall and James 
Whitworth. Also attached to the company were an independent company and a 
small company enroute to California with stock. They expected to winter in Salt 
Lake Valley and thought they might permanently locate in Utah. 

They traveled in two groups — the first consisting of Captain Pixton's division 
of the Ten Pound Company and the California Company, Cyrus Kellogg and seven 
others all under the direction of Captain Wheelock. The second section consisted of 
Captain Kendall's division of the Ten Pound Company, the few wagons belonging to 
the Perpetual Emigration Fund Company, and part of the independent company, all 
under the general direction of Brother Dykes. 

Captain Cyrus Wheelock's company had 17 horses, 2 mules, 216 oxen, 83 
cows, 12 heifers, 52 wagons and 1 carriage. These figures do not include the outfit 
and stock of Mr. Kellogg of California and his group, who, among other stock, had 
500 sheep. 

The whole company left Keokuk, Iowa, June 3rd and traveling to Council 
Bluffs, crossing the Missouri River July 11th. They reached Salt Lake City on 
October 16th, three days after General Conference. Each paid 10 pounds to come. 

John Walton Price traveled to the Salt Lake Valley with the Cyrus Wheelock Company in 1853. 

He was 19-years-old at that time. pg. 3 



John Walton Price moved with his parents to Mill Creek Ward. After arriving 
in Mill Creek, he hired out to a Mr. Francis Birch and lived with him for nine months 
and then hired out for 12 months to George Allen. He passed through many rough 
trials but was contented to know that he had immigrated to Salt Lake City. 

In the year 1857, there was a famine in which he ate nothing but thistle roots 
or anything he could get. Hopes were for better things in the future. 

On February 2, 1857, he married Isabella Pratt. They had six children, one 
who died and was buried in the City Cemetery. 

The following April 1st, he mounted the road for three weeks to keep back the 
soldiers from coming through Echo Canyon into Utah. Then he returned home and 
was called to move south to Spanish Fork. He stayed there for three months, and 
then he hired out to a man at the mouth of the Provo canyon. While crossing the 
river, the stream turned his wagon and nearly drowned him and his brother. They 
lost all their provisions, so they returned home to their families in Spanish Fork. On 
their return, they saw the soldiers on their way to Camp Floyd. He passed through 
many narrow escapes in his life, but the hand of the Lord was over him continually. 

John Walton Price was assigned by Brigham Young to assist the people in 
deciding where to plant the type of crops that would grow best in the soil in which it 
would be planted. He saved the life of many animals while working as a 
veterinarian. On one occasion the family was in tears as their only cow was about to 
die. They had Mr. Price come, and he gave the cow a dose of chewing tobacco in a 
drench. He gave her a bottle of water to help get it down and in a short time she 
revived. By careful nursing, he saved the cow. 

Caroline Amelia Christensen, who was to be his second wife, came to Utah in 
1875. She obtained work as a hired girl for John Price. With the first wife's consent, 
he courted and married Caroline. She was unable to speak English, so they would 
go to a blacksmith who came from Denmark and have him interpret their love 
stories and promises. Caroline was very industrious, neat and beautiful. She was 28 
at the time of her marriage. She and the first wife got along very well. 

When Caroline was sick, she hired a German girl, Eliza Kunz, to work for her. 
On July 24, 1885, Caroline died leaving five children, the youngest was only one- 
year-old. After her death, Annie lived with Aunt Isabella and Martha lived with the 
tirst wife s son and wife, Brigg and Maggie, as thev had no babies. Martha grew up 
at Brigg and Maggie s. When Annie was 12, she also lived there. Parley, the oldest 
boy, died of typhoid fever. Wilford left home and worked for Dr. Sutherland's 

Thomas Walton Price 
Patriarchal Blessing 

Blessing given at Millcreek Ward, 12 February 1857 by John Young upon the head of 
Thomas Walton, son of Thomas and Sarah Walton, born 8 April 1793 at (Sinton) 
Whitbourne, Herefordshire, England. 

Brother Thomas: In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I lay my hands upon your head 
and bless you and seal upon you the blessings of the everlasting gospel, which have been 
given unto you. You have received the gospel in these last days. You are literal a 
descendant of Ephraim, entitled to the blessings of the holy priesthood which I seal 
upon your head this day and I say, Brother, inasmuch as you have received the truth 
with an honest heart you shall be blessed; you shall have power to govern and control 
your household with propriety; your posterity shall be numerous upon the earth. You 
are entitled to the blessings of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob having flocks and herds and 
all the things that pertain to the present salvation and even to eternal lives. You shall 
be an honor to the cause in which you are engaged. Be a blessing to your father's house 
and to your progenitors. 

Inasmuch as you are one of a family, the Lord has chosen you to do a great and 
glorious work; you shall become a savior upon Mount Zion. Do much in your day and 
generation and say that you shall live yet many years upon the earth, if you desire it 
and you shall help to roll forth the kingdom, and your heart shall rejoice, and if you will 
abide laws you shall come forth in the resurrection of the just and with the millions 
that have overcome and stand upon Mount Zion. Your last days shall be your best; you 
shall have control over the power of darkness. Be sanctified through the truths, all of 
which blessings I seal upon your head at this time by virtue of the holy anointing and 
sealing power and say be faithful and diligent in keeping the commandments and you are 
Christ's and Christ is God and I do it in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, 
even so Amen 

Jane Rowley Colley Price 
Patriarchal Blessing 

Given at Millcreek Ward February 12 1857 by John Young, upon the head of Jane Colley 
Walton, born May 15, 1801 in Whitbourne, Herefordshire, England, daughter of John 
and Emma Colley. 

Sister Jane: In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I lay my hands upon your head to 
bless you with a father's blessing. Inasmuch as you are a lawful heir of the same lineage 
as your husband, entitled to a portion of the priesthood with him; inasmuch as thou 
hast embraced the gospel of salvation thou art entitled to the blessing of the heavens 
and of the earth. I seal upon you the blessings of a healthy life and prosperity, and say 
you shall be blessed in your family, be a comfort to them, a blessing to your husband and 
to the Saints of God that are round about you. You shall have power to administer to 
the afflicted and disconsolate \n Israel and shall suffer and rejoice with the people of 
God. Thou shalt have power to control thy household with propriety; thy mind shall 
expand and thou shall be delivered from all enemies and rise above every opposition and 
you shall be an honor to the cause, a blessing to many. 

If you keep the celestial law you shall have celestial blessings and glory and shall 
have power to come forth in the morning of the first resurrection, no power shall 
overcome you. Your light shall shine about you and your heart shall be comforted even 
till you are satisfied with life and you shall be gathered as a ripe shuck of corn into the 
garner (granary) of our Father which blessings are great and glorious, all of which 
blessings are yours and I seal them upon you \n the name of the Father, Son and Holy 
Ghost even so. Amen. 

Thomas Walton Price 

Born: 8 April 1793 

Whitbourne, Herefordshire, England 

Son of Thomas Price and Sarah Walton 

Married: Jane Rowley Colley 

20 May 1819 

Mill Creek, Utah 

Died: 4 December 1870 

Mill Creek, Utah 



Jane Rowley Colley 

Born: 15 May 1801 

Whitbourne, Herefordshire, England 

Daughter of John Colley and Emma Rowley 

Died: 2 February 1889 

Mill Creek, Utah 

Thomas and Jane Colley Price are the paternal grandparents of 
Wilford James Price who is the father of Ellis Ray Price. 

Thomas and Jane (Walton) Price came to the Salt Lake Valley on the Cyrus 

Wheelock Company in 1853. Their son John Walton Price traveled with them. 

Thomas was 60-years-old and Jane was 52. 



Thomas Walton Price was christened May 5, 1793 in Bromyard Parish, 
Herefordshire, England. The exact date of his birth is uncertain, but this date is 
taken from the parish register, so we must presume it to be correct. The record lists 
no father. It merely states that he was the child of Sarah Walton, which indicates 
that he was born out of wedlock. To us who have been accustomed to the American 
way of life, this casts a shadow over our heritage, but a study of British records and 
history lessens that shadow a great deal. 

For a long period of time — in fact, it still continues to some degree — the 
Church of England was almost the only means whereby a marriage could be 
solemnized so as to be recorded in the vital statistics and become a matter of record. 
To this day, if a Latter-day Saint wants his marriage in England to become a matter 
of record and to be accepted as legal and at the same time to be an eternal marriage, 
he first has to go to the Church of England or to another agency which that Church 
recognizes and be married by that agency before going to the temple. Our Pioneer Heritage 

Thomas Walton Price and Jane Rowley Colley Price traveled with the 
Cyrus Wheelock Company 1853. pg. 2 



There was a time when the Church of England was all powerful in that land, 
and it was during that time that Thomas Walton Price was born. Because of its 
power, the Church of England determined the price which was to be charged for the 
wedding ceremony. Since that price was too high for many of modest means to pay, 
many English people merely began to live together without the benefit of clergy. 
Later, when the Reformation became stronger, and other churches were started in 
England, many of the English were married in the "non-conformist" churches, but 
there was no way whereby the record of that marriage could be made legal. 
Mormons still find themselves in this unfortunate situation. 

This may well be the reason why there is no record of the marriage of Thomas 
Price and Sarah or Abigail Walton. The only proof we have that they were ever 
married is the fact that their last child was christened as the daughter of Thomas and 
Sarah Price. The first three children are listed as the children of Sarah Walton. This 
could indicate that the money necessary to have the marriage solemnized in the 
Church of England was finally saved and paid. One just has to know England to 
understand such situations. 

I am thankful that it fell our lot to spend two years in England and to learn 
some of these things for ourselves. The sheet of christenings from which I got some 
of this information has 15 christenings listed on it and five of them are listed as being 
born out of wedlock. That alone will give you an idea of the percentage of English 
people who were married in such a way as to be recognized by the Church of 
England. This confronts us with one of our greatest difficulties in properly 
connecting English families, and one runs into this problem during that period on all 
lines. 

As we gather information on these, our forefathers, we find that Jane Colley 
(christened May 24, 1801, Whitbourne, Herefordshire, England) is also listed as 
being born out of wedlock. She grew up using her mother's maiden name which 
was Rowley. When she and Thomas Walton Price married, both were married 
under their mother's maiden names. However, we can judge their worth when we 
find that they and their children were among the first to cast their lot with the 
Restored Church in England, being baptized in the year 1841, October 10. 

They could bequeath to us no greater heritage than membership in the 
Restored Church. We have been born of parents who have taught us the Gospel, 
and they have instilled in our hearts a testimony of the truth. All of this is a result of 
their accepting the Gospel at a time when such a step took courage and 
determination to do the Lord's will. Because they did this, they became "non- 
conformists," and they subjected themselves to ridicule and to unpopularity just as

Thomas Walton Price and Jane Rowley Colley Price traveled with the 
Cyrus Wheelock Company 1853- Pg 3 

the Saviour and His apostles did. By so doing, however, they may claim the 

. promised to those whom the world casts out. "If ye were of the world, the 
Id would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen 
you out of the world, therefore, the world hateth you." (John 15:19) Few of us, if any, 
had the privilege of their acquaintance, but we can honor them for what we know 
them to have been and we can be thankful that we came from some of the Lord's 
chosen people. 

Another thing we can all be thankful for is that because of the unpopularity of 
the Restored Church, they, like most of its English followers, left their native country 
and came to this land, which is a land choice above all other lands. Here they 
established themselves 116 years ago. England is a good country, but one has only 
to live there a very short time to know just how blessed we are who were born and 
raised in this land of freedom. One cannot fully appreciate this blessing until he has 
seen firsthand the land from which we came. 

Thomas Walton and his wife, Jane, became the parents of 10 children. We do 
not know how many of those children came to America with them, but we do know 
that they built their first home on what is now 3rd West and 33rd South in Salt Lake 
City. The last information I had concerning that piece of ground was that it is still in 
the hands of their descendants. I have had the privilege of walking over the ground 
where they first set their feet and as I did this I offered a prayer of thanksgiving in 
my heart for the blessings they vouchsafed to me and to all of us who have come 
after them. 

If it were possible to count the people who have sprung from these good 
people as well as the ones who have been brought into the Church by them and their 
descendants through missionary service, it is certain to number in the thousands. 
Thus, it is not strange that the Lord said that those who bring even one soul into the 
kingdom of His Father would be greatly blessed. 

And so we will close this history of Thomas Walton Price and his lovely 
companion, Jane Colley (Rowley) Price, and shall look forward to becoming better 
acquainted with them during the years when Christ shall reign on the earth. 

Written by Howard P. Price, great-grandson  

Many Waltons and Prices are buried in: 

Elysian Burial Gardens 
1075 East 4580 South 
Salt Lake City, Utah 

Cyrus H. Wheelock Company (1853) Pg 4 

first approach is indicated by the rising of a small, dark cloud on the horizon, which 

dually increases, and spreads with considerable rapidity over the plain. The thunder 
is heard booming along like the sounds of a large park of artillery, with a deep 
richness of tone that cannot be conceived in the narrow and confined streets of the 
tow os and cities ol~ England. These sounds seldom cease until the storm is over. Then 
comes the brilliant silvery flash of the lightning, which illumines the darkness of 
midnight with a light so pure that it would be possible to pick up a pin from the prairie 
ground, if one were there. Ofttimes have 1 experienced considerable pleasure in 
watching this awfully grand phenomenon of nature, as it lighted up my waggon, 
during the silent hours of the night; the shrill voice of the guard as he called the hour 
and "all's right," together with the pealing thunder, every now and again breaking the 
monotony of the hours of slumber. The rain fell in torrents, and hail came down upon 
our canvass as though the "boys" above were pelting us with alabaster marbles; but 
the canvass withstood the battery in first-rate style. In all tempestuous storms which 
we passed through, I never observed any fear displayed by the Mormons; but every 
man was at his post, either at midnight or in the day time, - In thunder, lightning, or in 
rain. 

Previous to our arrival at Fort Laramie, we passed many places that were 
colonized by prairie dogs. These cunning little animals partake somewhat of the rabbit 
species, and burrow under ground, differing in their formation and in some of their 
habits. The nose and mouth are like the rabbit; the ears are short, and appear as though 
they had been cut. The other portion of the body is much like that of the dog, with the 
exception of the tail, which, I believe, is short and bushy. They generally occupy a 
large piece of sandy land; raise mounds by scratching a hole to burrow in, leaving the 
entrance at the top; and when anything disturbs them, there is one always on the 
watch, who raises the alarm by a sudden howl, and down they all go. It requires a 
smart marksman to shoot one, they are so exceedingly quick. At night, the howling of 
the prairie dogs and of the wolves around our camp was sometimes very great; and 
you might imagine them close upon your heels, so fierce and loud did they howl. If a 
horse or an ox fell or "gave out" from fatigue, the wolves were soon upon the track 
seeming out their prey, and by the light of the morning the bones of the animal were 
to be seen pretty well cleared of the flesh. These ferocious animals were very 
numerous, and at times very bold, attacking beasts in or near the camp at midnight 
to Hdrt * guard keeping a 00k  Ut; they invariably quit on the appearance of 

Many rivers lay in our path, which we had to cross; some by ferry-boat others 
we ran our teams through without stopping. Sometimes it was rather difficult to cross 

Cyrus H. Wheelock Company (1853) pg 5. 

these streams by ferry boat, with heavily-laden waggons, owing to the sand-banks, 
snags, &c.; but these things appeared to be little in the way of the Mormons, for us 
soon as the difficulty presented itself, a dozen men were immediately at hand with 
spades, shovels, and pickaxes, to remove any obstacle that might be likely to retard 
our progress. In fact, a company of pioneers was formed - a man out of every twelve 
being required every morning. This party had a captain over them, and he called them 
out, and went ahead of the camp; and on perceiving any bad or difficult places, they 
endeavoured to smooth the path for the coming train, reducing, where possible, 
sudden descents and steep inclines, filling up sloughs and mud holes with prairie grass 
and brushwood, covering all with soil, thus giving a firmer footing for the cattle; 
forming bridges and repairing those that were broken down or carried away by the 
floods. In this manner the train met with little or no delay until they camped in the 
evening. 

I must now hasten to give you a slight sketch of our journey from Fort 
Laramie, as we had up to this time been engaged in crossing rivers and plains, but 
now we were about to experience a change, - the Black Hills lay before us as we 
approached the fort - these we had to cross previously to our arrival at the Valley of 
the Great Salt Lake. 

We reached Fort Laramie on the 24th August, and pitched camp on the north side of 
the river Platte - the same side on which we had been travelling. Here the company 
set about making repairs; refixing anything that was out of order, and tightening the 
tires on the wagon wheels, as we were about to experience a change in the character 
of the roads - from sand and mud to rocky mountains. Fort Laramie is but a small 
village, consisting of a store, an hotel, and some few houses. The inhabitants chiefly 
depend upon trading with the emigrants and Indians, and speculating with cattle. 
There is a mail station here also, and a company of the United States army to defend 
the rights of all travelers. 

It was at Fort Laramie that we received a visit from the tribe of Indians called 
Sioux. These are a more noble looking race than the Pawnees, being taller and more 
athletic, with intelligent and rather handsome features. They went through the 
smoking ceremony with the chief of our company, and he made them some presents, 
one of whom received an old black dress coat, a hat, and a pair of pants; the coat he 
soon put on, and 'cut a dash" through the camp with the new garb, being a man 
upwards of 6 feet well proportioned and noble features. The pants he could not get on, 
and said they were "no good," as he could not walk or run in them. The female portion 
of this tribe were of a beautiful appearance, though having a dark skin; they partake 
somewhat of the Spanish features, being brunette, with dark bright eyes. Two of theseCyrus H. Wheelock Company (1853) Pg 6 
. to camp one morning, just as we were bout to move, riding upon ponies, sitting 
ss-legged, and wished to trade their moccasins for bread, or trinkets, or jewels, but 
when we offered anything they could make no use of, they would smile, and truly 
then smiles were exquisite, enough to make an Englishman forget where he was. 
Mam of this tribe followed us some distance, and seemed much attracted by a funeral 
ceremon) that took place at Fort Laramie, which was the burial of one of the aged 
lathers of the company, who had come out from Ashton-under Lyne, near your city, 
with his family, and who was very desirous of seeing the valley in the far west. 

But I am afraid I shall lengthen out too much, if I enumerate all the little 
circumstances that occurred on this journey. We now had crossed the Platte river, and 
w ere running on the south side of it, leaving it to the right for a short time, and again 
coming to it. The hills that skirted our path on our left were covered with the dark 
foliage of the fir-tree, and, in the distance, appeared perfectly black. As the train 
advanced (which was a slow motion) we had ample opportunity of witnessing the 
varied mountainous scenery that now presented itself on every side. We would 
occasionally find ourselves running along a high ridge, from which we had an 
extensive view of immense basins or valleys, extending for miles every way, 
surrounded by lofty and rugged mountains, next we would have to lock our wagon 
wheels, as we were descending a steep declivity into one of these beautiful valleys, 
and it would seem to the inexperienced traveler that we had got into a place from 
which there was no escape, as to all appearance we were locked in by impassable 
rocks of stupendous magnitude. But onward we pressed, until we came to a steep 
ascent, where it would require the doubling of teams to rush the wagons up to the 
next lofty ridge, and which again gave us a view of the apparently endless nature of 
our journey. On this part of our journey the company frequently refreshed themselves 
by the many springs of clear water that rushed from the foot of the mountains. 

On the 29th of August we started on our journey as usual, but the day proved a 
rather eventful one. We had gone a short distance previously to camping for dinner, 
and for that purpose we turned a little out of our path, and proceeded towards the river 
Platte, where there was a deal of dry bunch grass, which is good feed for cattle. We 
halted, the cattle were unhitched from the wagons, and driven in a herd to the water. 
Orders had been given by the captain that no fires should be lighted, as, from the 
dryness of the grass, it was dangerous to do so. Two or three of the company did not 
hear the order, and without thought lighted fires. The inflammable nature of the prairie 
grass caused the flames to spread with considerable rapidity, being also aided by the 
husk wind that was blowing. It appeared a critical moment. The flames, in some 

instances, reached the tops of the wagons, and set the canvas on fire. Horror was    Cyrus H. Wheelock Company (1853) pg. i 
depicted on many countenances, and it seemed as though the whole company would 
be destroyed. Every exertion was made to put out the flames, men pulling off their 
coats, and women their shawls, to batter out the fire, but it was all to no purpose. The 
fury of the fiery element increased, and roared like thunder as it rolled along the 
ground, the heat being so great that it singed the men as they attempted to move the 
wagons to windward. 

The captain, however, gave orders for the oxen to be brought up, and hitched 
in. A movement to an adjacent hill was commenced, and as soon as we got there out 
of danger, we again halted, and sat down on the grass to dine, watching the progress 
of the fire, which had by this time well-night reached the river, and there was 
presented to our view a large blackened surface - the effects of the destructive 
element. 

Having recovered from the fright we had received from witnessing the prairie 
on fire, we again proceeded on our way over the Rocky Mountains; our course 
continuing much the same as previously described - over rocky and smooth ground, 
continuing to rise in altitude as we advanced, the highest elevation we attained being 
about 7,000 feet above the level of the sea. 

Near to Independence Rock (an immense round rock, with a flat top on 
Sweetwater river, 300 miles from Great Salt Lake city, carved, and cut, and painted 
with all kinds of names of parties emigrating to and from California and Salt Lake) - 
near to this rock there is a fort and mail station, called Chambault Fort, and it is also a 
trading-post. Here also is a curiosity - the waters of the Sweetwater rush through, 
between two perpendicular rocks of considerable loftiness, and this is called Devil's 
Gate. 

At Fort Bridger (113 miles from the city) there is also a trading-post. From this 
point to the city, the mountains take a great elevation - the highest being about 7,000 
feet above the sea. The approach to the city is through canyons of eight or ten miles in 
length, being much cut up by creeks, and lined on either side by perpendicular rocks - 
a very dangerous passage for an army in a hostile country. 

At the mouth of the Emigration canyon, through which we passed, we were 
five miles from the city, and as we approached it, the sun was just skirting the horizon 
in the west, on the 6th day of October, 1853. 

In my next letter, I will give you a full description of the city, and other 
important particulars connected with the Mormon population in the Rocky Mountains. 

J.G.C. 

Chambers, John G., to Editor, 14 May 1854 Manchester Examiner, 2 Sep. 1854.   

yrus H. Wheelock Company (1853) P g 2 



independence.- 1 lere and there, as we moved along, we came up with settlers who 
were living in some degree of comfort, but it appeared to me that they indulged 
themselves in lazy habits, otherwise they might soon have considerable property 

around them. 

Before 1 proceed to describe any circumstances of our travels, I will state here 
that the Mormons maintained a similar organisation across the plains as they did in 
crossing the sea. The whole were under the control of one captain, and he was 
empowered to elect others to assist him. There were captains of hundreds, of fifties, 
and of tens. These subordinate captains presided over a certain number of waggons, 
and had to see them over all difficult places; and to see that every man did his duty in 
w atching, in herding the cattle, and in everything connected with camp life. There was 
also a captain of the guard appointed; his duty consisted in calling out the guard at the 
close of each day, when the company were camped. Officers were appointed to go 
ahead, and search out suitable camping grounds. A chaplain was also appointed; his 
duty consisted in calling meetings for prayer and public worship, every Sabbath Day 
being set apart for that purpose, the Mormons believing that the cattle required rest as 
w ell as themselves. The chaplain had also to see that all persons in camp attended the 
meetings, or to know the reason why they did not, and to see that all the sick were 
\ i M ted; it was his business to see that the sacrament was duly administered to every 
good member in the church, every Sabbath Day. Under this system, everything moved 
on in wonderful harmony among so large a number of individuals, from different parts 
of England, Scotland, and Ireland, and some from France. If anything wrong occurred 

if there was any dispute or quarreling among the members - or if any of them 
committed any crime that was unseemly and unbecoming a Mormon - a council was 
called of the whole camp, at which the president of the company presided, and the 
individual must confess his fault, if proved guilty, or be dis-fellow-shipped. This 
procedure was fully carried out over the plains, until we arrived in the Valley of the 
Mountains, and every individual arrived in safety. 

We proceeded on our tedious journey, under this kind of discipline, keeping the 
north side of the Missouri river until we reached Council Bluffs, where we camped for 
about one week, for the purpose of taking in our last supply of provisions, previous to 
lea\ ing the last point of civilization, as it was here the Mormons had arranged to have 
a large supply brought up by the steamboats to the city of Council Bluffs, to provision 
all their companies for the remainder of the journey. I may just mention, that Council 
Bluffs is a considerable city to be so far inland. I was first located by the Mormons, 
but is now occupied by numbers of Yankee speculators and half-breed Mormons who Cyrus H. Wheelock Company (1853) pg. 3 

make considerable during the emigration season. 

It occupied considerable time to cross the Missouri ferry, but this done, we 
pushed forward through the remainder of the country occupied by the Iowas and the 
Omahas, but were not visited by either of these tribes. As we passed into the Pawnee 
territory, these natives soon paid a visit to our camp. Early one morning a party of 
Pawnees visited us, and conversed with Mr. Dykes (who was returning from a 
Mormon mission to Denmark), as he had crossed the plains at other times, and was 
somewhat acquainted with the languages of the Indian tribes. A pipe of tobacco being 
produced and lighted, the party sat down with Mr. Dykes and Mr. Wheelock, forming 
a circle upon the grass. The pipe was passed from one to the other, each one puffing 
three or four times, first to the right and then to the left, and lastly upwards, which was 
a sign that they were at peace with all around, and with the Great Spirit. The chief was 
made to understand that Mr. Wheelock was our chief, and he immediately embraced 
him, saluting him with the Pawnee kiss. The party then separated, taking with them 
many presents in the shape of biscuits, &c; their object was to hunt buffaloes. This 
tribe is considered one of the most thievish of all the tribes on this route, but they did 
not exhibit any of these propensities in our company. 

The company with whom I traveled were not at all annoyed by the Indians; 
perhaps we were too numerous for them. They frequently came and traded their skins 
and buffalo robes, moccasins, &c. for beads, trinkets, and bread or flour; but never 
showed any disposition to quarrel with us. I afterwards heard that a large party of 
Pawnees mustered on the route, and demanded large quantities of flour, more than the 
companies could well spare. They showed fight towards one company under Captain 
[John] Brown, because they would not give them more than 200 lb of flour, and drew 
out in order of battle. When Captain Brown saw their determination, he gave orders to 
his "boys" to get their rifles ready. But on the Indians perceiving this, they withdrew 
without further molestation. As a general thing, I may observe here, that the various 
tribes of Indians will listen to reason if you can possibly converse with them, and can 
be made to exercise kindness, and many of the virtues common to humanity. 
Numerous and novel to me were the many scenes and trials in crossing the plains. 
Every two or three days we were visited by fearful storms of thunder and lightning, 
accompanied with tempestuous winds and torrents of rain and hail. Occasionally the 
force of the wind would overthrow a tent, and expose the inmates and the goods to the 
mercy of the storm; but help was soon at hand, and again the tent was reared. If a 
storm came on whilst travelling, orders were given to halt and turn the hind part of the 
wagon to the storm; the cattle unhitched, and permitted to graze, to prevent a 
"stampede." You in England can form little idea of the thunder storm on the plains. Its