William Augustus Bringhurst, Sr.

Went to Utah with his parents in 1847; lived in Toquersville, Utah; was Assessor of Taxes; High Sheriff & County Judge; later a Bishop in the Church of Latter Day Saints

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EVENTFUL LIFE CLOSED....The Late Bishop W.A. Bringhurst of Toquerville Was Pioneer, Indian Fighter and Guard Over Mails: Bishop William A. Bringhurst departed this life on Friday, March 8, 1912, having presided over the Toquerville ward for more than thirty eight years. The deceased was born in Lionville, Chester County, Pennsylvania, January 26, 1839, his parents being Samuel and Eleanor Beitler Bringhurst. In the year 1845 the family removed to the city of Nauvoo, Illinois, having accepted the faith of the Latter-day Saints. In 1847 the family consisting of father, mother and three children crossed the plains with an ox team arriving in the Salt Lake Valley in September of that year, having endured the hardships and privations consequent upon such a journey. At the age of 16 years he entered his father's shop and learned the wheelwright trade. In 1862 he entered the service of the United States as a volunteer upon a call made by President Lincoln to Governor Young for volunteers to supress Indian trouble and guard the mails. He served under the late D.D. McArthur and in the famous Lot Smith company. In 1862 the subjects of this sketch was married to Selinda D. Palmer in 1866 was called to the Dixie mission settling at Toquerville, Utah, where he engaged in the mercantile business which he has followed since.

On the 15th day of February 1874 he was set apart as bishop of the ward and served in this capacity until his death. In 1867 he was married to Susanna Steele and 1884 to Mary J. Stapley who survive him. The deceased is the father of twenty-five children, twenty of whom are living and seventy three grandchildren and great grandchildren. While his chances in early life for an education were limited and a great part of his life has been upon the frontier yet he was of a studious nature and progressive mind and has held many important state positions and has ever discharged his duties with fidelity and honor. Bishop Bringhurst served a term in the state penitentiary for conscience sake and was a pensioner of the government for services rendered. He goes to obtain the reward of faithful labor and died as he had lived in full faith of a glorious resurrection.

SOURCE: Find A Grave.com