A Biography Of James Wrathall
No country of the civilized world has furnished as many
worthy men and women and enterprising citizens as [have] the British Isles.
From the days of the early [pioneers] to the present time, they have ever
played a leading part in the vast work of transforming this new country from
a wild and most [desolate] land to its present wonderful state of prosperity.
Among the native sons of England who took part in this wonderful accomplishment
in Utah was James Wrathall, whose name and history is linked with many of
the great enterprises of the state.
Mr. Wrathall was born November 8, 1828, at Buckden, Yorkshire,
England, the son of [John] Wrathall and [Elizabeth Atkinson] Wrathall, both
natives of the county of Yorkshire.
He became acquainted with Mormonism at an early age, and
was converted to the Gospel while in England, but was not baptized in that
country because of the regard that he had for his mother, who was bitterly
opposed to the Church, and he wished to spare her feelings. He was the only
member of his father's family who embraced the Gospel. He left England in
1850 and landed in New Orleans, where he was baptized a member of the Church.
He left New Orleans, coming direct to Utah and settling in Grantsville in
1851, there being only four families here at that time, and he made this
place his home until his death.
In May 1855 he was called in company with Christopher
Layton to accompany Orson Hyde and company to colonize Carson Valley. He
was also sent from Carson Valley to California.
In 1868 he was called to go to the Missouri River to assist
the poorer emigrants to cross the plains. His wife and son, James L., met
him in the mountains east of Salt Lake City on his return. Mr. Wrathall
was captain of the train. In 1882 be was called to take a mission to his
native land, and, on his release, he accompanied the late Elder John Henry
Smith on a tour of Europe, visiting all the principal places and countries.
After his return home, he commenced to devote some of his means to the aiding
of some of the English converts to emigrate to Utah. In 1890 he took a pleasure
trip to England and while there he devoted considerable .....
He came to Grantsville when there were only four families,
and things not as inviting as we have them today, but set out with his indomitable
courage to wrest a [livelihood] from the elements. He was a very successful
farmer and stock raiser. At an early date, he got a few sheep and laid the
foundation for the comfortable fortune which he accumulated, and at the time
of his death was rated the wealthiest man in Tooele County. He was active
in all that pertained to the welfare of the community, and became very active
in all local enterprises. He was a very heavy stockholder in the Grantsville
[Co-op] and Richville Milling Company, the North Willow Irrigation Company,
and the Woolen Mills that were established in early days by President Brigham
Young at E. T. City. [He] was also a very heavy stockholder in the [Co-op]
Wagon and Machine Company, Deseret National Bank, State Bank of Utah, and
Deseret Savings Bank, and other Utah enterprises. At one time he offered
to pipe several springs in Magpie and Pope Canyons (west of Grantsville),
and build a water system for the city, but the City Council of that day did
not appreciate the growth of the place, and rejected the proposition.
His charities were many and it is said that "his right
hand never knew what his left hand did." He was a generous giver to the
church. At the time that the Church property was confiscated by the United
States Government, he was called upon for financial aid and responded generously.
He was also a [contributor] to the Salt Lake Temple building fund. He purchased
the land and donated it for the academy and the high school building fund,
and gave $2,500 towards the building. To the poor of Grantsville he bequeathed
$1,000 as a perpetual fund, the interest from the money to be used for the
relief of the poor.
He was married four times, the first wife being Mary Leishman,
a native of [Lancashire], England, who emigrated with her parents in the
early fifties. She died April 11th, 1871, leaving three children, Maria,
wife of Hyrum Sutton -- she died in 1886 -- Mary Alice, the wife of the late
Gov. William Spry, and James L. Wrathall. A few years later he married Flora
Ann Sabin, daughter of A. W. and Nancy Ann Sabin, who were descendants of
the Puritans of New England and emigrated to Utah in 1852, their daughter
Flora being born the same year. She died August 2, 1892, leaving eight children,
Genevieve Orr, John Percy, Ethel, Helen W. Anderson, Lucy Matthews, Clyde,
Eva Wrathall and Lois Packard. The third wife was Frances Port Cask, a native
of Camberwell, London, England, daughter of William Port and Mary Garnet,
who came to Utah with her mother and family. She died April 25, 1883, while
her husband was on his mission to Great Britain. She left three children,
Elizabeth Rowberry, Clara and Edith. He was married to his fourth wife Caroline
Bengston, a native of Sweden, November 1892. She died without issue.
His posterity now numbers about one hundred, the majority
residing in Grantsville. He passed from this life December 13th, 1896, at
the age of 68 years, mourned by his children and a large circle of friends.
His long and useful career had brought him prominently before the people
of this community and State. Through his strict adherence to the highest
business principles, [and] his close devoted work in the interest of the
church, he had won the confidence and respect of those with whom he had been
associated.