The Van Noy Family

The early life of William is unknown. In 1849, William joined a Latter-day Saints Pioneer Company to travel to California to mine for gold. While in Salt Lake City, William became very ill. He was nourished by the Saints and members of the Hendricks family. Because of this hospitality, William was converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Dec 18, 1850. That following January, William married Catherine T. Hendricks.

In 1860, the Van Noy family moved to Richmond. While in Richmond, William participated in constructing a sawmill in High Creek. He lived in Richmond until 1874, when he moved to Riverdale, Idaho. However, he continued to spend much of his time in Richmond throughout the remainder of his life.

"He also tanned hides and made shoes for his family to wear. There was much danger from rattlesnakes because they were very numerous in this country. He was a good carpenter. He made many beautiful pieces of furniture and novelties. He made a chair for John Bair, an early pioneer, (this chair is well preserved and still stands in the Richmond Pioneer Relic Hall)."