OBITUARY OF JAMES WRATHALL
(from DESERET EVENING NEWS, DECEMBER 26, 1896, PAGE 6)
In the spring of 1851 he went to Grantsville and was among the original locators of that place, and since that time has made it his home. His means and his energies have been expended in the development and building up of the town. In 1854 he went back to bring a company of Saints in and it was in this company that he first met Mary Leishman, whom he married in 1857. In 1855 he was called to go to Carson Valley in company with the late Orson Hyde, Christopher Layton and others. Here he assisted in performing the work assigned them in that place. He returned the following year and commenced laying the foundation of his future home. In 1868 he was again called to cross the plains and traveled in Captain's Mumford's company, he being assistant captain and commissary. He also did much service in the early settlement of these valleys in defending the settlements against Indian attacks, etc. In 1882 he was called to take a mission to his native land, and performed a good work while there. Other positions have been held by him during his service in the Church, and for many years prior to his death was a member of the High Council in Tooele Stake. During his life he has succeeded, through his thrift and industry, in accumulating considerable of this world's goods and always deemed it a privilege to render any assistance required of him in the building of Temples and in advancing the work of God. Although his time was largely occupied with the cares and annoyances attending the handling of a large business, it was always a pleasure to him to converse with his friends and neighbors upon the beauties of the Gospel. It was his aim to secure for himself, and so far as he was able, for his children, an eternal salvation, and he endeavored to work on such lines as would bring about that result.
He was naturally of a quiet and unassuming disposition, and by many of his acquaintances was comparatively unknown, while to those who knew him and were in his confidence the goodness of his nature was understood and his worth appreciated. He had the humility of a child and a heart that was as tender as that of a woman. He was always loyal to the Priesthood and held as sacred its power and authority. In all James Wrathall was a strength among the people and he carried with him an influence for good. Although he has gone, his goodness will live and be kept fresh in the minds of many people. One of the last acts of his life was to set aside a fund of $1000 to be held in trust by the Bishop of Grantsville, the interest thereof to be devoted to the benefit of the poor of the Ward forever. He has had four wives, three of whom have gone before him, in each instance leaving a family of small children. He had been in feeble health for many years past, and had it not been for his indomitable will would have succumbed long since. At last he contracted a severe cold and his poor weak body, failing to rally at his bidding, gave way and death came on Sunday morning, Dec. 13, to bring him that peace and rest that he had earned through his life of usefulness and integrity. His wife and all his children were present; he leaves three sons and ten daughters and twelve grandchildren.
His funeral was held on Tuesday, Dec. 15, and the meeting house was filled with friends and neighbors who came to pay the last tribute of respect to him. The speakers where President Gowans, Counselor Anderson, Elders Gillespie, Rydalch, Jefferies and Williams and John H. White of Salt Lake. All testified to his worth and character as a devoted, consistent Later-day Saint. May his rest be sweet and his example in life be emulated by his orphaned children.
---(Com. Millennial Star, please copy).