The Skidmore Family

Soon after William was born, his mother converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but his father remained unaffiliated with the religion. Regardless, William's mother chose to stay with the Saints and made preparations to move west.

The Skidmore family joined the John Hidley Company on June 7, 1855 and arrived in the Salt Lake Valley on Sep 3. Once they arrived, life was not easy for the Skidmores. William's oldest brother, Henry, purchased a small log home for the family and worked all he could to support his brothers. During their first winter, William's mother became sick, and the family had to live off rations. After enough time of this abuse, and unable to support the whole family, William was adopted by the Beason Lewis family.

"Beason Lewis said to me on day, 'Will, I am about to sell the ranch and move to Cache Valley, will you go there with us?' It was a surprise to me. After thinking about it some time I answered yes. It was in the fall and winter of 1859. I bade goodbye to the dear old ranch and lived in Salt Lake City and went to school."