William Thompson

William Thompson was born Jan 12, 1836 in Markham, Canada to William G. and Elizabeth McAulay Thompson. William is a Pioneer of Richmond. William was a veteran of the Indian Wars.

History

Soon after William was born, the Thompson family joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. When William was almost 10, his mother died. William's father did not remarry until 1850. The following year, the Thompson family began their journey to Utah. They moved to Council Bluffs, Iowa and joined the Harry Walton/Garden Grove Company. They set out on May 17, 1851 and arrived in the Salt Lake Valley on Sep 24. William lived in Boutiful, Utah, until 1860 when he moved to Richmond.

William married Elisa Johanne Funk on Dec 27, 1865 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Tragicly, Elisa died giving birth in 1865. The child did not survive. William remarried on June 1, 1868 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Mary Ellen Isaacson. While in Richmond, William was a farmer.

"I have heard father (William) tell of having no corn in the house to make bread. Being humble and full of faith the family knelt down in family prayer and asked the Heavenly Father to care for them and to provide them with bread. While they were still kneeling a knock came at the door and a man asked Grandpa Thompson if he would come and fix his chimney and he would pay him for his work in corn and he had no money."

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. Richmond was organized as the 5th Battalion Infantry, with Thomas L. Whittle as Major, David P. Rainy as Adjutant, and Robert M. Kerr and Dana Walton as Captains. William was appointed as a Private.

On June 16, 1863, Richmond was organized into two companies of Infantry and two squads of Cavalry. William was appointed as a Sargent.

"He served as a minute man or scout for the settlers to warn them of the approach of the Indians and to ride about the hill to frighten the savages away from the settlement."

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