Biographical Summary #1:

"...Empey, William A. (1808-1890) – (5th Ten) Born July 4, 1808, in Osnabrook Township, Stormont Co., in Eastern Canada ( Ontario ). He joined the Mormon Church in Canada and later gathered to Nauvoo, Illinois where he was ordained a seventy in the 13h Quorum. On the trek West, while hunting May 3, 1847, he attempted to turn a drove of Antelope toward hunters when he looked down a ravine and saw a hunting party of 200-300 Indians. He and others hurried back to warn the main company, and called in the other hunters. However, no problems came of the encounter. He was among those selected to remain at the upper ferry on the Platte River in Wyoming. He remained there helping pioneer companies and those of the Oregon Trail cross the river until Brigham Young's party returned from the Salt Lake Valley in the fall. He went with them to Winter Quarters and brought his family to the Salt Lake Valley in 1848. He became a member of the Fifteenth Ward bishopric. From 1852 until 1854, he served a mission in England and for a time presided over the Hull Conference. When he returned to the Salt Lake Valley, he was called to settle in southern Utah. He died in St. George, Washington Co., Utah, on Aug. 19, 1890, at age 82..."

SOURCE: http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/58061/Biographies-of-the-original-1847-pioneer-company.html

Biographical Summary #2:

"...William Adam Empey is credited with helping Brigham Young in bringing the Mormon faith Westward and helping to settle in Utah.

William was selected to man the Platte River ferry to help the other wagon loads of settlers Westward. There is an account of William on a hunting party for meat and he comes upon a large group of Native American Indians. He swiftly rides back to the others to warn them, fearing an attack..."

SOURCE: Internet.

Received Pension from Civil War.

"SOURCE": Family Search.org - Civil War Pension Index.

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Biographical Summary #3:

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=20355686

Birth: Jul. 4, 1808 Stormont County Ontario, Canada Death: Aug. 19, 1890 Saint George Washington County Utah, USA

Son of Adam Empey and Margaret Van Stennbergh

Married Mary Ann Morgan, 16 Sep 1829, Osnabrook Stormont, Canada

Children -

• Margaret Minerva Amanda Empey,
• Julia Ann Empey,
• Nelson A. Empey,
• Mary Eleanor Empey,
• Emma Empey,
• Joseph William Empey,
• Maria Empey,
• Brigham Young Empey,
• Diantha Empey,
• Mary Ann Alice Empey

Married Sarah Fielding, 31 Mar 1856, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah

Married Mary Harriet Porter, 1855, Osnbruck, Stormont, Ontario, Canada

Children -

• Robert Nephi Empey,
• Charles Henry Empey,
• Joseph Lamoni Porter Empey,
• George Alford Empey,
• Arthur Porter Empey,
• Mary Harriet Empey

Married Martha Fielding, 31 Mar 1856, Salt Lake, Salt Lake, Utah

Children -

• James Hyrum Empey,
• Sarah Ann Empey,
• John William Fielding Empey,
• Martha Ann Empey,
• Joshua Fielding Empey,
• Heber Fielding Empey,
• Orson Fielding Empey,
• Viola Fielding Empey,
• Charles Fielding Empey

History - William Empey was one of the original pioneers of Utah. He located in Nauvoo soon afterwards and, being ordained a Seventy, became a member of the 13th Quorum. With the exiled saints he made a temporary home at Winter Quarters and was one of Pres. Brigham Young's famous company of pioneers in 1847.

With the main body of the company he traveled until they reached a point on the Platte River where it was necessary to build a ferry. Here Bro. Empey and nine other men were left to establish a ferry for the benefit of the companies of saints already on the road en route for Great Salt Lake Valley, and to raise funds by ferrying other emigrants across the river. There he remained until President Young returned to Winter Quarters later the same year, when Bro. Empey returned east with him.

With his family Bro. Empey came to the "Valley" in 1848 and located in the 15th Ward, Salt Lake City, where he became a member of the Bishopric.

From 1852 to 1854 he filled a mission to England, and for a time presided over the Hull Conference. When first appointed to that district he was, on one occasion, quite discouraged and seeing an old gentleman with white hair enter one of the houses, felt impressed to follow him. To his delight he found a family of saints who assisted him to open up missionary work in the vicinity. Strange to say none of the family knew anything of the white haired gentleman seen by Bro. Empey.

After his return home Bro. Empey was called to help strengthen the settlements in southern Utah and died at St. George, survived by a large family.

Family links:

Spouses:

• Mary Ann Morgan Empey (1807 - 1891)

*Mary Harriet Porter Empey (1832 - 1869)
*Martha Fielding Empey (1838 - 1912)

Children:

• Margaret Minerva Amanda Empey Richards (1831 - 1909)*
• Nelson Adam Empey (1834 - 1904)*
• Emma Marilla Empey Clark (1839 - 1897)*
• Maria Empey Pace (1844 - 1896)*
• Brigham Young Empey (1846 - 1847)*
• Diantha Empey Morris (1848 - 1928)*
• James Hyrum Empey (1857 - 1943)*
• Charles Henry Empey (1858 - 1926)*
• Sarah Ann Sullivan Empey Stout (1859 - 1941)*
• Joseph Lamoni Porter Empey (1860 - 1935)*
• John William Fielding Empey (1861 - 1880)*
• Martha Ann Empey (1863 - 1864)*
• Joshua F Empey (1865 - 1866)*
• Osen T Empey (1870 - 1870)*

Burial: Saint George City Cemetery Saint George Washington County Utah, USA Plot: A-I-203-1-NW