William Dorris Hendricks

William Dorris Hendricks was born Nov 6, 1829 in Franklin, Kentucky to James and Drusilla Dorris Hendricks. William was a member of the Mormon Battalion. William is a Pioneer of Richmond. William is a veteran of the Indian Wars. William served as the first Mayor of Richmond.

Early Life

In March of 1835, the Hendricks family was converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A year later, the Hendricks made preparations to move to Missouri to live with the other Saints, and settled in Caldwell County.3

In 1839, William's father went to go fight against a scrimmage by the Missouri Militia and was shot in the neck because of it. He survived and was paralyzed from the neck down. During this time, William's mother had to do many of the heavy lifting in order to provide for the family. Because of how young William still was, he could not work to help his family, but provided health for his father who was near death many different times. The following year the Hendricks moved to Nauvoo, Illinois.3

While in Nauvoo, William worked to help in the construction of the Temple along with beautifying the city. In 1844 after the assassination of Church President Joseph Smith, the Hendricks made preparations to move west.3

Mormon Batallion

In 1846, the Hendricks were in Council Bluff ready to move west when members of the United States came through the camp to recruit members for the American-Mexican War. The following was recorded by William's mother,

"I will relate the circumstances of my son, William D., going in the army which was called the Mormon Batallion. The brethren said the five hundred must be made up in two weeks. They held meetings every day or two to get men inspired to go but my son was all I had to depend on, his father being helpless and Joseph, my other son, being in his ninth year only and my girls not healthy. One would say to me, 'Is William going.' I answered, 'No, he is not.'

"I got ready to get breakfast and when I stepped up on the wagon tongue to get my flour I was asked by the ... spirit... if I did not want the greatest glory and I answered with my natural voice, 'Yes, I did.' 'Then how can you get it without making the greatest sacrifice,' said the voice. I answered Lord, 'what lack I yet.' 'Let your son go in the Batallion,' said the voice. ... William came wet with dew from the grass and we sat down around the board and my husband commenced asking the blessing on our food, when Thomas Williams came shouting at the top of his voice, saying "Turn out men, Turn out, for we do not wish to press you but we lack some men yet in the Batallion. "William raised his eyes and looked me in the face. I knew then that he would go as well as I know now that he has been. I could not swallow one bite of breakfast but I waited on the rest thinking I might never have my family all together again. I had no photograph of him but I took one in my mind and said to myself, If I never see you again until the morning of the resurrection I shall know you are my child"2

At the time William joined, he was 16 years old, and one of the youngest members of the Battalion. William was a Private in Company D with Nelson Higgins as Captain. William walked from Fort Leavenworth, Kansas Territory to San Diego, California. A distance of 2,000 miles, it is the longest infantry march in U.S. history. William was discharged on June 17, 1847.3

Life in Salt Lake Valley

To get to Utah, William joined the Hancock/Hunt/Pace/Lytle Company of 117 other Mormon Battalion Vets. and reached the Salt Lake Valley on Oct 14.

Life in the Salt Lake Valley was not easier than when they were in Nauvoo. They hardly had food to feed each other, nevertheless they continued to live and build a home in the Old Fort walls. During this time, William became a private under General William Henry Kimball during the Indian Wars.3

Life in Richmond

In 1860, the Hendricks family moved to Richmond by invitation from William's brother Joseph.3

In 1862, under direction from Bishop Mariner W. Merrill, William and Ira Hogan were to construct a grist mill north of Richmond on the Cub River.3

After Mariner Wood Merrill resigned as contractor of the Central Pacific and Northern Pacific railroad to be constructed from Franklin, Idaho to Butte, Montana, William was hired to finish the job.3

Indian Wars Service

After the construction of the Richmond Fort in 1860 and other forts in Cache Valley, the Territory of Utah created the Cache Military District on Oct 15, 1861 with Church Apostle Ezra T. Benson as Colonel. On June 16, 1863, Richmond was organized into two companies of Infantry and two squads of Cavalry. William was appointed Sargent of Team 3 Cavalry.

Life in Mexico

In 1887, William moved to Mexico along with his third wife and family away from the U.S. officers trying to arrest him for practicing polygamy. While there, he was engaged in stock raising and mining and raised the first flour mill. They lived in Mexico until 1894.3

Mayoral Term (1868 - 1872)

William D. Hendricks served as the first mayor of Richmond from 1868 - 1872 after it was incorporated as a city in February of 1868. He was sworn into office on May 28, 1868 with the first City Council members: Stillman Pond, Henry E. Gibson, David P. Rainey, Neriah Lewis, and Thomas L. Whittle with William Beers as City Recorder. He was in charge, along with the City Council, of hiring individuals to fill in the necessary appointments for the city. Such were Christopher M. Olsen, City Treasurer; William F. Fisher, Assessor and Collector; William T. Van Noy, City Marshall; Christopher M. Funk, Supervisor of Streets; William H. Lewis and R. Marion Kerr, Chief of Police; David P. Rainey, Neriah R. Lewis, Marcus E. Funk, and George F. Burnham, Deputies of Police. Along with this, they had appointed the city seal, passed the first City Ordinance of constructing bridges across all ditches, and named the streets of Richmond.1

William Hendricks is the father of George G. Hendricks the 17th Mayor of Richmond, making them the first father-son Mayors, and grandfather of Samuel W. Hendricks the 12th Mayor of Richmond, making them the only family trio of Mayors.

He was succeeded by Jesse Hobson.

Chruch Callings

In 1877, William was called by the Church to move to Lewiston, Utah, and be a counselor to his cousin William Hendricks Lewis who had been called as Bishop of the area a few years earlier.3

In 1884, William was called to be President of the Oneida Stake in Preston, Idaho. He served until 1889.3

In his later years, William was sustained as Patriarch of the Benson Stake.3

Family

William married Mary Jane Andrus on March 12, 1851 in Salt Lake City, Utah. William entered the practice of polygamy on Aug 4, 1851 marrying Alvira Lavona Smith in Salt Lake City, Utah. William also married Almira Davenport, Oct 10, 1865 in Salt Lake City, Utah; Christine Kjerstin Olson, Sep 21, 1886 in Salt Lake City, Utah; and Eleanor Anna Mybin on Dec 3, 1897 in Colonia Juárez, Mexico. 

William had 48 children, with only two not living to adulthood. He holds the record for the most children in Richmond's history. Some in particular are:

• George G. Hendricks, his mother being Mary Jane Andrus. George served as Mayor of Richmond and Member of the Utah State House of Representatives.

• William S. Hendricks, his mother being Alvira Lavona Smith. William served as a city council member and influential businessman, with his home and business as historic landmarks. 

Epilogue