William Frederick Fisher

William Frederick Fisher was born Nov 16, 1839 in Woolwich, England to Thomas Frederick and Jane Christton Fisher. William is one of the founders of Oxford, Idaho. William became the first Assessor and Collector of Richmond when it was incorporated in 1868.

Early Life

William's early life was spent in and around London, England. At an early age, the Fisher family was converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and William was baptized at the age of eight in 1848. On April 8, 1854, the family left Liverpool, England to move west to Utah. They landed in New Orleans, Louisiana on May 29.

After taking steamboats up the Mississippi and the Missouri rivers, they met in Kansas City, Nebraska Territory, and began their journey to the West in the Robert L. Campbell Company, leaving on July 18, 1854 and arriving in the Salt Lake Valley on Oct 31.

In April of 1860-1861, William worked for the Pony Express sending mail from Salt Lake City to parts of Nevada along with his brother-in-law Howard R. Egan. William's daughter Stella writes,

"The two most famous rides made on the Pony Express and probably never excelled in American History were made by father. One was in November, 1860 when he carried the news concerning the first election of Abraham Lincoln from Salt Lake City to Rush Valley, a distance of 75 miles, in four hours and forty-five minutes, made the trip on horseback. The next famous ride was from Ruby Station, Nevada, to Salt Lake City on horseback, a distance of 300 miles in thirty-six hours, using a relay of eight horses and mules. The last horse he used was called Bucking Bally and covered the last seventy-five miles in six hours. The object of this rapid riding was to bring the news of an Indian outbreak and have the U. S. Government send troops. The Government responded with two companies of dragoons, under Lieutenants Weeds and Perkins from Camp Floyd, Utah. There should have been other riders but the Indians had killed them or dispersed them, so father went on with the important news."1

Life in Richmond

The Fisher family moved to Richmond sometime between 1864-1866. In 1868, William became the first Assessor and Collector of Richmond when the city was incorporated.

Oxford, Idaho

In 1876, William began to construct a small brick building in Oxford, Idaho to expand the business that he had in Richmond. While in Oxford, William became the first bishop of the settlement. The same year, he was called as the settlement's first Bishop. He was also part of the choir.1

LDS Work

Mission

William served as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1871-1872 in the states of Illinois and Mississippi, being set apart as a member of the Seventy.

Bishop

William was called to preside as Bishop of Oxford, Idaho as its first Bishop from 1876-1883.

"This office at that time was a very trying position because the town was then the rendezvous of the Gentiles of southern Idaho, who at this time were very unfriendly. Father soon make friends with their leaders, however, warm friends in fact, and the old spirit of antagonism died out."1

Family

William Fredrick Fisher married Millennium Andrus on Jan 1, 1861 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Together, they had 11 children with eight living to adulthood. A letter to Millenium before their marriage as follows:

"My Dear Millennium-It is with unspeakable pleasure that I sit down for a few moments to pen a few lines, to one I love best on earth. I received your very kind and welcome letter dated June 4th/60 and was very glad to hear that it left you well, as this leaves me quite well at present and I hope it will find you in good health and spirit. Dear Linny you speak of being very lone¬some and sad while I am out here, as you say, exposed to so many dangers which is so, but believe Dear girl I will try and take care of myself if it is only for your sake, so Cheer up Linny, I expect to be with you before many months, but how long I shall stay, (it will all be owing to circumstance) I do not know, but if you will love me then, I can tell better. I expect you think I am talking nonsense Lin, well perhaps I am.... Well Linny I think I have wrote enough for the present, as I am very tired and sleepy, for I came in here at sun rise this morning after riding with the express nearly all night. I can't think of any news of importance to tell you, so good bye for the present. I remain as Ever Your Devoted William."2

William entered the practice of polygamy on Oct 21, 1871 marrying Harriet Ann Hogan in Salt Lake City, Utah. Together, they had four children with three living to adulthood.

Epilogue