William BLACK, JR.

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Records of Lila Badger, Holden, Utah. Dia L. Hyatt, Richfield, Utah. Erma Styler, Hoden, Utah.William was a Seventy in the 18th quorum and president of the 21st quorum. He was a high priest and presiding elder at Deseret in 1877. William assisted in locating Manti and Spring City, being a pioneer to Sanpete County. William was a veteran of the Walker and Black Hawk Indian Wars. William was the president of Deseret Irrigation company. He assisted in locating the dams and canals at Abraham, Hinckley, Deseret and Oasis.BLACK, WILLIAM VALENTINE (son of William Y. Black and Jane Johnston). Born Feb 27, 1832, at Lisburn, Antrim, Ireland. Pioneers and Prominent Men of Utah, p.759 Married Elmira Ayers 1854, Manti, Utah (daughter of Caleb Ayers, died in Council Bluffs, and Lucinda Haggerty, ólatter a pioneer 1853, J. C. Little company). She was born 1834 in New Jersey. Their children: Jane b. 1856, m. Ezra Rappleye; Elmira b. June 25, 1857, m. John Styler; William V. Jr. b. Feb. 8, 1860, m. Annie Rotherham; Lucinda Catherine b. 1861, m. Uriah Curtis; Elizabeth b. Feb. 19, 1863, m. William Broadfield; Annie Eldona b. 1865, m. Uriah Hoyt; Fanny Vrena b. Aug. 24, 1866, m. Alfred Mikesell; Eleanor b. July 17, 1868, m. James Hyrum Walton Sept. 14, 1889; Heber b. Sept. 17, 1871, m. Hattie Simmons. Family home Rockville, Utah. Pioneers and Prominent Men of Utah, p.759William V. Sr. also married Victoria Ayers on April 7, 1856, Salt Lake City (daughter of Caleb Ayers and Lucinda Haggerty), who was born Nov. 8, 1839, in New Jersey. Their children: George Ayers b. March 3, 1861, m. Emily Partridge; Agnes b. Feb. 11, 1863, m. William McLeod; Ira Adelbert b. Feb. 1868; Joseph V. b. Sept. 14, 1873, m. Amelia Jane Cahoon; Clara b. Sept. 27, 1874, m. Frederick G. Warnick; Victoria b. Jan. 27, 1877, m. George M. Christensen; Albert C. b. Oct. 12, 1878, m. Helen Powell; Marzett b. Jan. 14, 1881, m. Joseph Walton; Marion b. Jan. 14, 1881, m. Stella Damren; Lois b. April 25, 1883, m. James Ewing; William Alonzo b. May 16, 1886, m. Janet Bywater. Pioneers and Prominent Men of Utah, p.759The StorekeeperOur Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 10, p.271From this period until 1880, prosperity crowned our labors and we had plenty of grain, with very little expense on the dam. In the year 1878 the Utah Southern Railroad was constructed through our country which furnished labor and cash for quite a number of the brethren. In the previous spring the first enterprise in merchandise was commenced by Reuben A. McBride, who brought some goods from Fillmore Co-op store. He sold things at an exhorbitant price and was poorly patronized. Through some cause, probably on account of delinquencies in payments, Brother C. Anderson was sent over to [p.272] take care of what goods there remained, and he boxed them up. I was offered the goods, but declined to take them, and shortly afterwards forwarded them to Fillmore, as a previous offer which we had made to the Co-op at Fillmore had been refused. Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 10, p.272About this time a cooperative company was organized, with William V. Black as president, Byron Warner, W. W. Damron, Joseph and Joshua Bennett as secretary and treasurer. A small adobe room was partly completed, but owing to the lack of means the organization died. About that time an offer was made to me by Fillmore Co-op to take goods and sell it, which I accepted. I got a small stock of about $400, but the prices charged me, as I learned afterwards, were exhorbitant. They would charge 23 cents per lb. for candy, when their retail price was 25 cents, also prints, which they would retail for 10 cents they would charge me 9 1/2 cents a yard, and on sugar I would make about 50 cents per hundred pounds on retail prices. I made comparatively nothing as I sold at their retail prices, but it was an accommodation to the people. I dealt in that way until about Christmas, saving all the money I could from railroad work and other sources until I had laid by about $600.00. I settled with the Co-op and received as a present for my honorable dealing, a new suit of cl
othes, of which I was very proud. I borrowed $400.00 from J. V. Robinson, which added to what I already had, made me a capital of $1,000.00, with which I started to Salt Lake City. I paid J. V. Robinson 1 1/2% per month and paid him the principal in about four months. I arrived in Salt Lake City December 22, 1879, and bought goods, some from Z.C.M.I., and some from S. P. Teasdale. I paid $1,000 down and gave notes for about $2,700. I had not intended to get such a heavy stock of goods, but by mistake my bill was doubled. I gave three notes, one payable in 60 days, one in 90 days and one in 120 days. I met the first two promptly but owing to a loss in shipping grain west and not getting my pay, I was unable to pay the last one when due, but paid it shortly afterwards. My business increased rapidly and the population also increased quite fast, and while I devoted a great deal of time to merchandising and other business, the duties of my office as Bishop were not neglected. Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 10, p.272In constructing the dam and other speculations, Gilbert had become considerably involved. He had given four mortgages on the dam. It was apparent that it would soon pass out of his hands. William V. Black, Wise Cropper, Hyrum Dewsnup and myself went to Salt Lake and negotiated with Chauncey Webb, Gilbert's father, and other parties interested, and agreed to take the dam and pay the indebtedness to the amount of about $6,000. We made some payments, but soon after, one of the mortgages was foreclosed in the District court and by order of the Court the dam was sold at public auction at Fillmore City. I was the highest bidder, offering $4,000. which was accepted and the dam was knocked down to me. We soon after organized an irrigation company and stocked the dam at $6,000, which was about the net cost. We calculated that an acre of water would [p.273] irrigate an acre of land, and any of the farmers could take as many shares as they could pay for. Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 10, p.273In the spring of 1879, a man by the name of Bacher, from Southern Utah, came and proposed to put up a gristmill, as he represented he had ample means. I encouraged the enterprise as the mill was much needed. He bought a mill at Oak Creek, which could not run there for the want of water. He set men to work and agreed to pay at the expiration of thirty days. He wanted me to take shares with him, which I declined to do. At the time for payment he failed and the work was about to stop. He read me a letter from his father-in-law, stating that owing to circumstances, the money could not then be sent, but soon would be obtained, as he was working a mine and making shipments of ore. I had little confidence in the man but agreed to help him out, and honored his orders to the amount of about $800. They worked on about another month and no funds came. I advanced a little along and found in our settlement that he was indebted to me about $2000. He offered me the mill, which I was obliged to accept. I gave him a load of flour and paid a personal note of his for $250, and he left. Subsequently I learned that he had given a mortgage on the first purchase of the mill to Mr. Walker, which compelled me to pay about $500 more. I completed the mill and put it in good running order, which was a source of considerable revenue in good seasons. Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 10, p.273At this time others seeing our success, thought they would try their hand. Nephi Pratt, and T. A. Robison came from Fillmore to Deseret and represented that they wished to open up a farm and asked me to sell them a house and lot across the street as they wished to locate a tenant. I did so. It was soon apparent that they wanted to engage in merchandising and commenced the erection of a store. Why they wanted to keep it a secret from me in the start, I do not know, as I am always in for free trade and honorable competition. When the store was nearly ready for opening, they said confidentially to a friend, "The Bishop doesn't know much about merchandising and we will soon run him out." They we
re answered, "Probably not. My impression is that you are building a store for the Bishop," which subsequently proved to be correct. Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 10, p.273Things generally at this time were in a prosperous condition. We organized a Relief Society, Sept. 7, 1878, Mary Ann Warren, president. Also a Young Ladies Association, with Almira Black as president. Sometime previous to this the leader having been removed, the choir was nearly broken up and we had very poor singing with our worship, and no one in the ward was suitable for a leader. I laid this matter before the Lord and asked that He inspire some competent person to come to our place and lead the choir. S. W. Western, who had lived with me when he was a boy, and who was now living about 250 miles south, dreamed that I wanted him to move to Deseret to be my counsellor, and that there was a labor there for him to accomplish. The dream so impressed him that he sold out immediately and [p.274] moved to Deseret. He was a good singer and chorister and soon built up an excellent choir, in which he took much interest and remained in the position until the 14th of August, 1889, when he started to England, where he had been called to go on a mission. There was good feeling and union among the people of the ward and in that year 1879, we paid in donations for the erection of the temple at Manti over $800.00.The Orphan Boy Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 12, p.116 I, Isaac Alldredge, was born July 25, 1843, in Jackson County, Illinois, U.S.A When I was about two years old my father died leaving my mother with four small childrenómy brothers William and Parson and my sister Martha and myself. My father had been married before and had two children, Ezekiel and Elizabeth. Mother had three children by a former husband by the name of Wilkes. Their names were: John Brown, Minor James and Samuel Sneed Wilkes. Samuel went to California during the gold excitement of 1849 and was never heard from again. John was shot and killed in the war with Mexico in 1846. Minor was a singing master, class leader and preacher in the Missionary Baptist Church. The rest of my relatives so far as I know were farmers. Soon after the death of my father, Mother with her four small children moved north about thirty-five miles into Perry County. Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 12, p.116In 1883, 1884, 1885, I still worked for the betterment of our precinct and filled several positions of trust. In July 1884 our fifth daughter was born. I also worked as a home missionary during these years. On September 4, 1886, our sixth daughter was born. In the spring of 1887 William V. Black, L. R. Cropper, Wm. Alldredge, J. W. Damron, A. F. Warnick and myself filed articles of incorporation to build a canal to be known as the Gunnison Bend Canal. During this season the high water broke out the dam; the stockholders took over our incorporation and went to work with a will to complete the canal for use the next season, which we succeeded in doing. The old board of directors resigned and the following men were elected: L. R. Cropper, president; I. Alldredge, vice president; W. H. Pratt, A. F. Warnick and J. C. Hawley, directors; J. Bennett, secretary and treasurer; I. Alldredge, general water master and superintendent of construction and repair work. Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 12, p.117 This excerpt is smaller than the original, condenced for use of relavant story.
                  

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THE NAME SMITH WAS PRONOUNCED UPON JOSEPH BLACK BY THE PERSON WHO BAPTIZEDHIM. THE OFFICIATOR WAS IMPRESSED TO PRONOUNCE THE NAME OF JOSEPH "SMITH"BLACK. STORY TOLD BY EMILY P. YOUNG, WIFE OF ALVA ALLEN YOUNG, SON OF MARYHALLEY WILKEN, STEP DAUGHTER OF JOSEPH SMITH BLACK THIS IS ALSO THE SEALINGLINE FOR MARY HALLEY WILKIN Also sealed to parents 12 Jun 1976 SLFamily Records, Journal of Husb. Cemetery and gravestone; TIB, IGI;At Home AgainOur Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 10, p.297[p.297] Prior to my leaving for the East, I entered into contract with John W. Young to do some railroad work in Parley's Canyon, the road running from Salt Lake City to Park City. I wrote to my brother William, asking him to go up and view the ground, and if found as stated to commence work at once. He and my son and many others went, and on my return home I found them vigorously at work. This was Oct. 14, 1888. The work was prosecuted until near Christmas, when owing to storms we ceased work, but in settling and making up estimates we found that we had about $17,000 now due. I returned to Deseret and found all well. During my absence I found there had not been much done on the meetinghouse. We soon called a force and commenced laying brick.Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 10, p.297The foundation had been put in about three years before at the cost of about $1,000. The walls underground were four feet thick. The brick laying was commenced by Cynthia Black, with Fanny Scott carrying and scattering the mortar, and I taking two bricks and uniting them together in the mortar, praying to God that the House might be built acceptable to Him and the Saints be enabled to meet there in the spirit of truth and righteousness.Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 10, p.297On this occasion, quite a number of the brethren and sisters were present, and thus the building of the walls of our meetinghouse was commenced on the southwest corner, and the work was prosecuted vigorously with short interruption until we reached the square. I had occasion to visit the R. R. Company and during my absence the lime ran short and the work on the Church stopped, but on my [p.298] return I immediately telegraphed north for 100 sacks of lime, which was sent down on the night train and the next morning the work was resumed. Brother S. W. Western, my counselor, did all he could to keep the work going. About this time we established a Church school, and we had attendance of from 40 to 50 students, but as an impression had gained ground that we were running against the Stake Academy, it was deemed best to discontinue for the present. By this time our Ward had increased in membership to something over 800.The Edmunds LawOur Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 10, p.298Soon after the passing of the Edmunds Law, in the spring of 1882, the marshals commenced their raids in different parts of the territory, which caused excitement and annoyance almost continuously. The raids on the different settlements were conducted thus:Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 10, p.298They would designate a certain number of the brethren that they desired to capture and three or four of them would come into town during the night and lie in wait at the house of some traitor, the people reposing in a peaceful slumber not conscious of any danger being near. Perchance the husband and father being weary of camping out would have returned home for a good night's rest and to enjoy the society of his loved ones. When all was quiet during the small hours of the morning, a loud rap would be heard at the door, the family would spring from their beds and in sudden tones would whisper the word, "Marshals." Perchance a louder and harsher knock would follow and someone of the family would ask, "Who is there?" and they would say, "Marshals, open the door or we will burn it down," and if the father would happen to be in the house he would meet them with a light at the door and admit them, and with cocked revolvers they would demand his surrender; thus by demons in human shape he would be dragged away to some pretended court. In cases where the husband was not at ho
me, the wife with almost frantic haste would admit them to the house and sometimes by threats and abusive language, she would be compelled to show them through the house, while the children would nestle close together in their beds, being almost overcome with fright and anxiety for the safety of their father and protector. In many instances the women displayed a degree of heroism that would be commendable in any age of the world. Generally, on such occasions, the word of alarm would soon spread and lights would glitter in all parts of the town, and perchance if the raid had been successful the news would soon be conveyed from house to house of the capture of some of the most respectable citizens. Excitement would generally run high and many would be the expressions of indignation, and were it not for wise counsel of more mature minds, many of these raids would have ended in a scene of blood, as it was hard to see fathers, relatives and friends taken away in such a manner.Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 10, p.299[p.299] Another mode they had in capturing those they were hunting was for a stranger to ride to town, looking like a miner or stockman and they would call at the house and make inquiry about something, and would then serve papers on those who happened to be there, perhaps one wanted for witnesses. In all of the numerous cases of that kind, I have never known of any resistance by any lawful person. For four years they had been seeking to arrest me and offered rewards to different persons if they would assist to trap me. I am sad to say traitors were very plentiful. Conscious of having committed no crime, except as made so by law, it was very humiliating to me to be continuously hiding from the officers and spotters, besides it caused me to neglect my business and thereby suffer loss.Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 10, p.299On one occasion, Marshals Clauson, Morrell, and Mount surrounded my largest house in the night and after a thorough search, being unsuccessful they summoned members of my family and also some of the family of other citizens. I was a short distance from the house and could plainly see them carrying the lights from one room to the other. In the morning a messenger brought word to me that the Marshals were going to capture a brother who lived down the river. His son was plowing nearby and I went and informed him of the fact. He decided to go home at once, and I said I would ride with him as far as six miles below to my ranch and that I would wait at the corner of the street at my daughter's home until he came along. While I was waiting there, my daughter went in the house out of breath and said, "Oh Pa the Marshals are coming up the lane." This was at my daughter Nancy's, and she urged me to get out of the way. I went into a secret place and the Marshals came and surrounded the house. They searched everywhere; two had given up the search, but Morrell continued. They came within three or four feet of me, while Morrell on his way to their carts, having given up the search, came right onto me, he said "G. D. you come out of there," and used other abusive and profane language. I said "Mister you have captured me fairly and now I want you to treat me like a gentleman and use no such language in my presence." The others shouted, "that is the Bishop." "Oh," he said, "I beg your pardon, I thought it was Allred. We were not looking for you." We went to the carts and I rode to my house with Clauson, with whom I had formerly been acquainted. The scene was enacted in the presence of quite a number of people, among them were some of the members of my family, who were overcome with grief. The Marshal told me that they had been told by an individual that a man had been seen in that place, hence their raid, and by the excited manner of my daughter, they were satisfied that someone was there. At the house we talked matters over and I agreed to be before the commissioners at Provo the next week. This occurred on Monday.Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 10, p.299In all the excitement of the raids there were many amusing scenes, and
we ran many narrow risks of being captured. On one occasion a marshal was making a search for myself and others and boasting of [p.300] what he could do. I passed him right on the sidewalk, and when he learned of the fact he was very much chagrined. On another occasion I met two in the road and was so close to them that retreat was impossible. I passed on, and as I did so I passed my hand into my vest bosom and said, "Good evening gentlemen." They returned the [p.301] salute pleasantly. After passing a short distance, they said "My God, that is the Bishop." They afterwards would have captured me, but I had the drop on them. I had my hand on my revolver. At the commencement of the raiding I felt very indignant and was fully determined to shoot any man who would break into my house in the night, but after Marshal Dyer came into office a more human course was pursued and I had laid my pistols by.Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 10, p.300Joseph and Louisa Jane Stocks BlackOur Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 10, p.301Another amusing instance transpired when I was at Manti attending the dedication of the Temple. A marshal learned of my whereabouts and had planned my capture. I was then stopping at Baton's. A friend informed me of their intention and advised me to go somewhere else and sleep. He took me to Mr. Bench who was an old acquaintance of mine. I informed him that I wanted a bed, but he said he was sorry that he could not accommodate me, as every bed was occupied, as also all the sleeping places on the floor, but said that across the road lived a Presbyterian School Teacher, who had a spare bed and was alone and if I was willing he was satisfied that he could get permission for me to stay there. I said that is good enough and accompanied him into the house; he introduced me as Mr. Brown. She said that I could stay and invited me to take a chair in a nicely furnished parlor. The house consisted of two bedrooms, a sitting room and a kitchen. The lady was about 25 years old, of light complexion, beautiful figure and an agreeable manner. We soon entered into conversation, she gave me an outline of her faith, their Church Organization and Government, and part of her history. I in turn told her of my religious faith and mildly corrected her in some of her erroneous ideas. Our conversation became quite interesting, and after an hour or two I excused myself, thinking it might become tiresome and would retire to bed. She assured me that she was not weary in the least, so the conversation resumed and when I looked at my watch again it was nearly one o'clock. I bid her good night and retired. I arose early in the morning, as I had promised to go out to take breakfast with a friend. She was in the kitchen, I thanked her kindly as I had promised. She invited me while I was in Manti to make her house my home. As the marshals had searched the train for me at Nephi at my coming over, I decided to return by horse and buggy accompanied by my brother. I arrived all safe after having enjoyed my visit and the dedicatory services.Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 10, p.301At the appointed time, I appeared before the Commissioner and was bound over in the sum of $800.00 to await the action of the Grand Jury. George Sutherland, one of the attorneys, and Jacob Gates, Jr., went my bond. On the 17th of September the Grand Jury indicted me for unlawful cohabitation, having procured a number of witnesses from our settlement. I appeared in the Court and in my plea admitted that technically, according to the ruling of the court, I was guilty while at the same time I did not feel the least guilt in my own heart. I was given until the 10th of October for sentence to be passed on me by the court. I immediately returned home to put my [p.302] affairs in proper shape and also arrange the affairs of the ward. Virgil Kelly was called to fill the place of S. W. Western as first counselor in the Bishopric, as he had been called to go to England on a Mission. The meetinghouse work on the walls had been stopped owing to cold weather and the following spring they were completed. Tim
e began to draw near when I should appear before the court for sentence. Being much perplexed and embarrassed, I am sorry to say that some of my brethren, instead of encouraging and assisting me, did all they could to embarrass and perplex me.Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 10, p.302The Saints generally felt well. The Sabbath before leaving, after addressing the Saints for a short time, I bade them adieu for how long I did not know. After the services, many were the kind embraces which I received from the sisters, many a warm clasp of the hand from the Brethren, exhorting me to be of good cheer, the sentence would only be short. The day before, the Young Ladies made a beautiful dinner in the Scotts Grove. Some of the brethren were there from the City, Brigham Hampton and C. W. Wilkins. After dinner the sisters sang my favorite hymn. "Oh Awake Ye Defenders of Zion."Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 10, p.302The President of the Y. L. M. I. A., in behalf of the sisters, presented me with an autographed album with many loving expressions. I offered a few remarks and blessed them in the name of the Lord and I felt much affected by their manifest kindness, causing tears to flow. On the evening previous to my departure many of my family and a number of Brethren and Sisters assembled at my home and partook of a sumptuous supper, about 70 sat down. Afterward the table was cleared and the time was occupied by song, recitations and music. In the course of the evening I made a few remarks to my family and those present, exhorting them to be faithful and steadfast in keeping the commandments of God, read a biographical sketch of Father's and prayed to God that they might do right and defend the right of the Saints. I went to prison conscious of being guilty of no crime and rather than break the covenants which I had made before God with them and forsake my family and those I loved so dearly, I would bid them the last farewell and spend the rest of my life in prison. The company was much affected, and I spoke words of comfort to cheer them. Brother Jesse W. Fox of Salt Lake and Brother Williams and Brother Hales spoke words of comfort and encouragement. I had seated with me at supper my four wives, my mother, Mother Stocks, my mother-in-law, and daughter Courteniah read the following address:Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 10, p.302Most Beloved Father:Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 10, p.302The time is at hand when we shall part for a short time. We shall miss the familiar sound of your footsteps on the threshold and the welcome smile that greets us as we meet you. We shall think of you in hours of your loneliness and every evening as we retire we [p.303] shall pray to God to protect our darling Father until your return to the homes of your beloved ones.Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 10, p.303May He who clothes the liliesAnd watches the Sparrows fallGuide and protect you dear FatherAnd bring you safe through all.Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 10, p.303Courteniah Black, Louisa Black, Emma A. Black, Phoebe D. BlackOur Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 10, p.303The above named daughters are all mine by three different wives. The following which had been composed by my first wife was read:Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 10, p.303True, my darling, life is hardAnd its ways are dark and dim,But God knows that path you tread,I can leave you safe with Him.Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 10, p.303Tears are but the hearts pure dewdropsSoft distilled through virtues spring.Sorrows are the clouds that night dropsE're the day here joy shall bring.Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 10, p.303Crowns are won by faithful valorOn the trying fields of strife.Virtue comes from patient laborIn the busy school of life.Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 10, p.303Hours are darkest near the morning,Shadows are deepest at dawning.Every mound is but a tokenOf a brighter and better day.Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 10, p.303From one who loves you -CynthiaOur Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 10, p.303It was now near twelve o'clock at night and the b