William Warren Elmer

Elder William Elmer, whose Demise occured on December 15, 1894, joined the LDS Church in very early times. He was the son of John Elmer and Sally Peque. He was born in Norwich, Chittenden County, Vermont, on September 16, 1820. In 1838 they moved from Vermont and settled near Quincy, Illinois. In 1840 they moved again to Iowa and settled about eight miles west of Nauvoo. Here they remained for eight years when they traveled westward to Council Bluffs, where they remained for four years. On March 26, 1847, William Elmer married Miss Hannah Polina Child, daughter of Alfred B. Child and a sister of Warren G. Child.

On July 3, 1852, they commenced their long overland march to Utah. They traveled in Company 16, Captain Curtis being in command. They arrived in Salt Lake City October 2nd of the same year. Shortly after reaching Utah, William Elmer and his family went north and settled in Weber County. During the fall and winter, he hauled logs from the canyon and built a log cabin, the roof of which was made of poles and dirt; and into this house he moved his family.

In the fall of 1853, the Indian troubles commenced in that part of the county when the Saints were instructed to build a fort and gather into it for safety. This they did, and they built a Spanish wall around it, a good portion of which was done by William Elmer. This place was called Bingham's Fort.

In the winter of 1854, William suffered from a severe attack of Mountain Fever which nearly proved fatal to him. By the mercy of God he was spared, but from the effects of the sickness he never fully recovered his normal physical strength.

During the summer of 1855, the grass hoppers raided the farms, fields and gardens. They came in countless millions _ in clouds which at times darkened the sky. They destroyed nearly everything that was used for food for man, animal, fowl, or creeping thing. But by hard fighting, he managed to save a little food from their raves to feed his family.

In the spring of 1856 he located in Ogden City. Late in the fall of 1856, he was called with a number of others to go back on the plains and help bring in the hardcart companies of Pioneers who were blockaded by the deep snow. To this call he responded cheerfully and rendered efficient aid to the suffering emigrants.

In 1857 he was commissiond Captain of Cavalry, Company A, Nauvoo Legion, and with his men marched to Echo Canyon to defend the people's rights -- which were then invaded-- in the "Mormon War".

On 9 Apr 1857 William married Mary Ann Gheen in a Plural Marriage. They had 4 children together, 2 boys and 2 girls.

In 1858 he participated in the move south. He stayed at Payson during the winter and returned to Ogden City in 1859 where he continued his residence for the remainder of his life.

He was subsequently commissioned major in the Nauvoo Legion, which office he held until the Legion was disorganized by the order of the then Governor of Utah.

The funeral, which was largely attended, was held in the Second Ward meeting house. All the speakers bore testimony to this great man, a citizen, a soldier, a husband and father and a faithful church member. His posterity was large, seventy-eight to date. He had sixteed children, fifty-five grandchildren and Seven great-grandchildren. He was formerly a Seventy, and at the time of his death as a member of the High Priest Quorum.

William Elmer Died Dec 1894.