Malad Valley Pioneers
JOHN JONES WILLIAMS
(by Mrs. Marvin Jones and Laveda Williams)
John
Jones Williams was born August 12, 182 on a farm called Blackthorn in Brecknock
Shire, South Wales. He was the 7th child of a family of 8, a son of
Ruth Jones and Daniel Williams.
When a young boy he was apprenticed out to a horse shoer
(sic) for seven years in England. The man to whom he was apprenticed was one
of the King’s horse shoers for the fox and deer hunts. They had to be fast at
their work.
On
his return to Wales he joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
and was baptized January 1850. The girl he was going to marry broke their
engagement when he joined the church.
Later,
he and a friend, James Denning, married two sisters of Somerset Shire, England whose parents disinherited them when they married Mormon boys.
John
married Jane Emma Maryfield Feb. 14, 1852. She was born Nov. 4 1833 near Bath, Somerset Shire, England. She was the daughter of Jane Denning and Uriah
Maryfield. He sister’s name was Sarah.
Both
couples sailed for America from Liverpool, England Feb. 25, 1853 on the ship, International, under Captain Brown. They were under the leadership of Elder
Christopher Arthur. Three days out on the Irish channel, their first child was
born and later became Elvira Ann Williams Harrison.
Sarah
and James had a baby boy born two weeks before they sailed. Sarah became ill
so Jane nursed both babies.
They
were six weeks crossing the ocean and landed at New Orleans April 13, 1853. Their company crossed the pains by ox team and endured many hardships. John J. was
captain over 20 teamsters and he also did the blacksmithing for the entire
company. They arrived at Salt Lake City October 17, 1853. Here John was reunited with his parents who had preceded him by two weeks. They all
settled in Brigham City and were pioneers of that section.
Here
his skill as a smithy was an asset to the community as he made all kinds of
farm implements, wagons and sleighs. He traveled extensively, gathering scrap
iron which he used in his blacksmithing work.
He
married Mary Jones Mar. 6, 1857, the daughter of Ruth Thomas and Thomas Jones.
She was born January 12, 1837 at Port Maur Hanswel, Carmarthen Shire, Wales. About this time Brigham Young asked him to help colonize St. George. Owing to the
fact that his father and mother were getting on in years, he asked to be
released and go instead to Malad Valley. He sold his land in Brigham and came
to Malad Valley with his family in 1864. He owned the block between 3rd
and 4th north and 1st and 2nd west. John J.
helped survey the town of Malad; also Malad and St. John cemeteries. He took a
great interest in grafting fruit trees. At one time he had a tree that had 11
different varieties of apples on it. Both families lived and proved up on a
farm up Deep Creek. His first blacksmith shop set on the northeast corner of
the block. He was looked up to as the best workman in his line. The men used
to say that if they had a technical piece of work, they took it to John J.
Williams. If he couldn’t do it none of the rest need try.
He
was arrested for polygamy March 18, 1886 and was liberated March 19, 1887 from a Detroit, Michigan prison. While there the officers treated him very kindly.
They let him stand guard while they slept.
He
considered it a great blessing to pay tithing and always felt thankful for the
testimony he had of the Gospel. He held many positions in the church as
president of teacher’s and elders’ quorums. He was a high priest and became
counselor to Bishop Daniels and Bishop George Stewart, 1884 – 1890.
He
was honest. His word was his bond and he believed in doing good to all
people. He taught his family to be honest in their dealings with their fellow
man. He died January 9, 1899, the father of 24 children. He reared 16 sons
and daughters.
The
children are Mrs. James P. (Elvira Ann) Harrison, John Uriah, Ephriam J., Mrs
Nephi (Sarah Jane) Lewis, Samuel Henry, Hyrum James, Arthur M., Ruben M.
Williams.
The
children of Mary are: Azriah F., Mrs Henery (Rosanna) Denning, Mrs. Josiah
(Ruth Elizabeth) Richards, Mrs. Dave L. (Mary Ellen) Evans, Thomas Oliver, Mrs.
Hyrum D. (Victoria) Davis, George J., Mrs. James C. (Annie Sophia) Westergard.
Three are still living.
John
J. Williams has now at this date, 1954, over a thousand descendants who honor
him each year in holding a reunion on his birthday.
