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On July 19, 1851, he became filled with the spirit of the truth, and was converted into the church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints. When he informed his employer that he was leaving soon for America he was requested not to go. He was offered a large increase in salary as an inducement to stay in England, but he was so earnest in his conviction of the truth of the Gospel that he refused this most generous offer. He came to the United States, "The Land of Golden Opportunities" in the year 1854.
He with a company of others, sailed from Liverpool on the Sidon, a sailing vessel. They drifted on the ocean for six weeks, and were blown off their course, almost back to the starting point. Like all other heroic pioneers he suffered may hardships.
He crossed the plains in the James Brown Ox train (James Hendley Company)., driving a team for George Greenwood. This party arrived in Utah in the Spring or early summer of 1855. Among others who came at the same time as William Beesley were Bishop Kendell of South Weber, The Hodsons of Layton, and the Thornleys of Kaysville. This noble band of adventurers for adventure they, settled Kayscreek, which is now known as Kaysville and Layton.
The winter of 1855 and 1856 was known to everyone in this part of the new world as the hard winter of 55 and 56. During this winter the snow was so very deep that the stock had to subsist almost entirely on willows, and most of the precious animals died.
William Beesley lived, that winter, at the home of George Greenwood. Mr. Greenwood owned one team of extra fine horses. Everything possible was done to keep them alive. William would go everyday with a hand sleight; sometimes for miles through the deep snow and bitter cold to where the stock had died through starvation and cold. He hauled the meat back to the house where it was cooked for the team of horses which they were so anxious to save if possible. The people were often glad to get this meat for their own use. Perhaps the writer would not now be present had not God provided this means, meager as it was, with which to keep body and soul together.
One bright moonlight night the stars in the sky and the stars on the crystalize snow seemed to merge into one vast field of glistening diamonds. All was still, as only a night of this kind out in the solitude of the western plains, can be. Nothing could be heard other than the crunching of the snow under the runners of the sled, and the frequent howl of the hungry or lovelorn wolf. A huge ox had died and lay directly in the path over which William's sled had to pass. When he arrived on the scene four hungry gray wolves were busily engaged in feasting upon the dead animal. They were in the path and William was in the path. Not wanting to step out into the deep snow and perhaps lose precious cargo he was at a loss to know how to get by. Slowly he came nearer and nearer; gradually the wolves edged around the further side of the carcass, thus enabling him to pass in safety. This happened at the big bend of the Weber River of Ogden, where the Weber and Ogden River come together.
Another time during this same winter he was on his way home driving an ox. The snow was deep and the path was narrow. At the spot where the snow was the deepest and the path was the narrowest, William and the ox met an Indian. Neither the Indian nor the ox wanted to step aside and put himself in peril in the deep snow. The ox, being the larger of the two, just naturally butted the Indian, goat fashion, out of his path and continued on his way.
Many were the things in these early years that he did to assist his comrades in their need.
The summer following the hard winter found the people weak from lack of proper food and from exposure and subject to almost any kind of sickness. The thing that the children suffered the most from, was head lice. This was due partly to the lack of combs in the settlement. William had fortunately brought with him from England some tools. Neccessity being the mother of invention, he took a common corset steel and filed out of it a small saw. With this unique saw he went into the mountains for mahogany, and sawed out of the hard wood several fine-tooth combs. Like the pied piper of Harlan he rid the colony of the pest.
The first road through Weber Canyon was built by himself and several other who were called to do the work. The privations and hardships that these men endured are too numerous to mention. This road was latter sold by Brigham Young to the Union Pacific Railroad company.
His ingenuity and forethought were marked characteristics. It was his keen forethought that prompted him to build one of the first saw mills in Utah. It was built in Cottonwood Canyon. Morgan County, and it was from this mill that all the large timbers in Amelia Palace came. Most of the large timbers were used in the railroad ties. Many homes in Kaysville are standing that were built form his lumber.
The first spinning wheel in Kaysville came from his clever fingers, and one of the first flour mills in Kaysville was built by him and was operated under his successful management for many years.
At the age of twenty four, in the year of 1857, he was married to Hannah Flint, daughter of John and Mary Flint. He was a handsome boy at this time. But responsibilities had molded a man many years before.
His character, like eternal sunshine, shown through two piercing grey eyes in beacon lights of faith and sincerity. He was muscular and strong with a splendid physique, five feet, seven inches in height and weighing between 175 and 185 pounds. He was very stern but his soft brown hair softened the sternness of his eyes. His smiles lessened the severity of his chin. At all times he was extremely honest, and he held himself under rigid discipline and high ideals. He was unlearned in the great things of art and science but he walked with God and his religion was the foundation of his soul. He was kind but always just.
His first wife, Hanna Flint, died on December 12, 1878. To this union was born ten children, five boys and five girls. On June 12 of the following year he married Elizabeth Hibbert, daughter of Walter and Sarah Taylor Hibbert, all of whom came from England. Four children came to them, three boys and one girl, the last two being twins.
At the time of Johnson's Army he went south and made adobes to help build shelters for the men.
When the United States government called out men to go to Morristiown to settle the disturbance, William Beesley was appointed a Lieutenant under the direction of General R.T. Burton of Salt Lake City.
For twenty eight years he acted as a ward teacher in Kaysville and was leader of the Kaysville Choir for several years. Being musically inclined he organized the first band in Kaysville. He was noted for this successful work among the sick. This was the work he loved best. He was always able to smile with the gay and grieve with the saddened.
While driving to town one day his horse ran away throwing him from his buggy. He was injured and was unable to do much work. This was believed to have been the cause of his death July13, 1903. He did not die leaving a fabulous wealth, that was not his aim. He died leaving behind a memory in the hearts of his many friends and loved ones that will live on forever. His character was Godly and his name unstained.
There are 11 children, 58 grandchildren, and 68 great-grandchildren.
From genealogy record. (1)
Born: October 20, 1853
Place: Walton Le Dale, Preston, Lancashire, England.
To Whom: George and Elizabeth Taylor Beesley.
Interview with my mother (2 & 3)
William Beesley
Washed in cotton factory in early boyhood. He educated himself by studying very hard. He succeeded in getting himself about two or three months of night school education. He had great mathematical ability. He was considered a young mathematical genius by his employers.
While he was working in the cotton mill considerable trouble was experienced with the cog wheels in the factory. The cogs were always breaking, and this was a source of worry to the owners. William had watched for several days the mechanism of the wheels and that evening fashioned two wheels out of spools, after hours of earnest study he discovered what was causing the cogs to break, and how it could be remedied. He made a model of a new working system and presented it to his master who at first was skeptical about accepting the invention of such a youth. It was finally tried out and proved to be highly successful.
Record my mother had (4)
July 19, 1854 he came to America. His master said he would increase his salary if he would stay but he would not.
William Beesley received his citizenship the 15th day of July 1875 twenty one years after he arrived in America.
Thing he told her before he died (5)
He sailed from Liverpool on the Sidon, a sailing vessel they drifted on the ocean for six weeks, and were blown out of their course, almost back to the starting point.
Interview (6)
The winter of 1855 and 1856 was known to everyone in this part of the world as the hard winter of 55 & 56. During this winter the snow was so very deep that the stock had to subsist almost entirely on willows, and most of the precious animals died.
Interview (7)
William Beesley lived that winter at the home of George Greenwood. Mr. Greenwood owned one team of extra fine horses. Everything possible was done to keep them alive. William hauled dead meat form Ogden to feed them & perhaps some of the people.
(8)
A patriarchal blessing given by Wm Carezia?, was given to William Beesley July 19, 1857.
At the age of 24, in the year of 1857, he was married to Hannah Flint.
(9)
Elizabeth Hebbert had Patriarchal blessing on April 9th 1879 year she married William Beesley. After 21 years of marriage
His wife died Dec. 12, 1878. To this union were born ten children, five boys and five girls. On June 12, 1879 of the following year he married Elizabeth Hibbert at age 35 yrs. Four children came to them, three boys and one girl, the last two being twins.
William Hibbert, George Taylor, Adam, Sarah Jane
(10)
On his trips for food & wood he encountered wolves. A huge ox had died and lay directly in the path over which William's sled had to pass. When he arrived on the scene four hungry gray wolves were busily engaged in feasting upon the dead animal. They were directly in his path. Not wanting to step into the deep snow and perhaps lose precious cargo he was at a loss to know how to get by. Gradually he came nearer & nearer and gradually the wolves edged around the farther side of the carcass, thus enabling him to pass in safety.
(11)
William once invented a comb of wood because the people needed this to get the disease out of their hair.
(12)
The first road through Weber Canyon was built by himself and several others who were called
to do the work.
(13)
At the time of Johnson's Army he went south and made adobes to help build shelters for the men.
When the U.S. govt. called out men to go to Morristown to settle the disturbance, William Beesley was appointed a lieutenant under the direction of General R. F. Burton of S.L.C.
(14)
The first spinning wheel in Kaysville came from his clever fingers, and one of the first flower mills in Kaysville was built by him and was operated under his successful management for many years.
(15)
It was his keen forethought that prompted him to build one of the first saw mills in territory of Utah. Most of the large timbers were used in the railroad ties.
The saw mill was near Kaysville Davis County. He paid an Internal Revenue tax of six 81 cents $6.81 on the business or occupation o f the saw mill for the year ending May1, 1970 it was paid Jan 28, 1980.
(16)
He died on July 13, 1903, age of 70, leaving behind a memory in the hearts of his many friends and loved ones that will live on forever. His character was Godly and his name was unstained.
Written June 1928 By Sarah Jane Beesley Stephens
LDS Emigrant Roster & Voyage History 1840-1869
Mormon Passenger Ship Lists 1849-1869
Family # - # in Family: 3-1
Year Emigrated: 1855
Last Name: *BEESLEY
First Name(s): WILLIAM
Ship Emigrated On: SIDDONS
Other Information:
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