William Haney Hickenlooper

William Haney Hickenlooper, was born in Unity Township, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, 22 September 1804. Other members of the family were George, Anna, John, Mary, Jane, Thomas, Andrew, and Rachel. William was the 8th child. August 1829 he married Sarah Hawkins by whom he had three children: Harriet Jane, Belinda, and John Thomas. He belonged to the Baptist church until February 1839, when he was baptized a member of the Latter-Day Saints. In 1842 he bought a lot and built a house on it in Nauvoo, where he moved his family in 1844.

He was ordained an Elder 24 March 1839, a member of the 5th Quroum of Seventies 2 November 1844 and a High Priest 31 August 1845 at Yelrome or what is generally known as the Morley Settlement, and was a member of the High Council of that Stake, of which Solomon Hancock was President.

He arrived in Salt Lake with the second company of Pioneers 22 September 1847, his 43rd birthday. In 1847 he was ordained a Bishop by President John Smith and when the Fort was divided into five wards, he was set apart to preside over the Fifth. On 22 February 1849 the city was divided into 19 wards and he became Bishop of the 6th Ward. On 9 July 1860 President Young directed him to take charge of the Fifth also, which he did until 12 June 1877 when a new Bishop was appointed to take charge of the 5th. He continued to preside over the Sixth Ward until his death in 1888.

11 November 1850 he married Sarah Cordelia Ward of Keyham, Lancaster, England, by whom he had four children: Susanna Angeline, Cordelia, William Caleb, and Rebecca Marie.

16 November 1856 he married Ann Ham of Devonshire, England. Their children are Orson Hyde, Rachel Ann, Charles Andrew, Olive Jane, and George.

William H. was still bishop in 1888 and had made it a practice to visit every family in his ward each year. He was making his visits when he was stricken ill and died in a few hours. His death occurred 14 January 1888. He lived and died with a strong testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel and a desire for his children to stay true to the faith.

His children with Ann Ham were all married in the Temple; their three sons filled missions to the nations of the earth: Orson in the Central States, Charles A. in the Southern States, and George in Holland. They all have been church workers: Orson, Patriarch of Blackfoot Stake; Charles, Bishop of Pleasant View Ward; and George is a constant Temple worker. They have all been active in Church and civic affairs. Her daughters died a number of years ago, as faithful Latter-Day Saints.

______________________________________________________

Son of Andrew Hickenlooper & Rachel Long

Married Sarah Hawkins, 29 Aug 1829, Indiana, Belford, Pennsylvania

Married Sarah Cordelia Ward, 10 Nov 1850, Salt Lake City, Utah

Married Ann Ham, 16 Nov 1856, Salt Lake City, Utah

LDS Biographical Encyclopedia, Andrew Jenson, Vol. 1, p.607: Hickenlooper, William Haney, first Bishop of the Sixth Ward, Salt Lake City, Utah, was born in Westmoreland county, State of Pennsylvania, Sept. 22, 1804. His father was Andrew Hickenlooper, son of Andrew Hickenlooper, who, with his wife, came to York county, Pennsylvania, at an early day, and afterwards moved to the western frontier of Pennsylvania, near the present site of Pittsburg; they were of German descent. His mother was Rachel Long, daughter of John (of Scotch descent) and Rachel Long. His father was a farmer and was a soldier in the Revolution, serving three terms of enlistment, in the American army. William H. remained on the farm until he was about seventeen years of age, when he started out to earn his own livelihood; he followed various occupations for a number of years. Aug. 29, 1837, he married Sarah Hawkins, of Indiana county, Pennsylvania [p.608] (daughter of Caleb and Sarah Hawkings, formerly from Maryland), by whom he had three children—one son and two daughters. In the winter of 1838-39 William and family were residing in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania—at the time that the Latter-day Saints were being so bitterly persecuted in Missouri. Rumors were current throughout the country that the "Mormons" were burning and pillaging the houses of the citizens in that State; these rumors having been spread by the enemies of the Saints to draw public attention from their own horrible crimes and provide a temporary excuse for the infamous treatment of the "Mormons." At this time many of the Saints who had remained in New York were emigrating to Missouri, going by raft down the Allegheny and Ohio rivers, then traveling up to the gathering place. One of these rafts, containing three families, on its way down, was anchored on the Allegheny river for the night, about two miles from "Williams' farm; that night it froze so hard that the raft could not be got loose, and the voyagers were compelled to land. Although many similar rafts passed down during the winter, this was the only one frozen in. Elder Freeman Nickerson, or Father Nickerson, as he was familiarly called, was the leader of the detained company, and he at once began to preach the new and everlasting gospel to the people in that vicinity. One day, shortly afterward, William met Father Nickerson at a neighbor's house and invited him home, being anxious to see a "Mormon"—a real, live "Mormon," though he looked very much like an ordinary mortal and appeared to be an intelligent man—and to learn of the principles of "Mormonism," about which so much was being said, and which many thought was a "Yankee trick." Father Nickerson accepted the invitation, and was introduced to William's wife and mother-in-law as a "Mormon" preacher. The whole family were of the Baptist persuasion. Supper was provided, and Father Nickerson consented, by the earnest request of William, to remain all night. When William asked what was the difference between the "Mormons" and other religious sects, the Elder answered, "We believe the Bible: they do not." William disputed this, but was forced to yield point after point to his opponent, throughout a long argument. During the evening the remainder of the family treated the Elder so coldly that William felt ashamed, and when the latter went out late in the evening to attend to some outside chores, Father Nickerson departed, to the great annoyance of his host. Shortly afterward the Elder called and told William that he was going to preach at a certain time and place, and gave him an invitation to be present His wife objected, however, saying if he went, his horse would fall and he would have his neck broken. The night before the meeting it stormed and the road being so slippery, William decided to stay at home. Again Father Nickerson called, and announced another meeting, and William's wife insisting that if he attended she would go with him, they both went. William took his New Testament along, intending to expose every error, but found no use for it; he learned that the Elder was strictly truthful in his statements and correct in his references. Father Nickerson's daughter, who had recently lost her husband, and was in mourning, exercised the gift of tongues in the meeting. This puzzled William considerably; at first he thought it ridiculous, but the more he reflected the more he was forced to the conclusion, by the appearance of the lady and other circumstances, that she was at least sincere, and there might be something in it after all. Mrs. Hickenlooper [p.609] borrowed the Book of Mormon for a week, and William read it through to discover whether it was an imposition. When Elder Nickerson asked what he thought of it, he answered that if he was going to write a fraud he would make it more mysterious; the book was too plain. The Elder replied, "The Lord delights in plainness;" which fact William had to admit. Mrs. Hickenlooper partially believed the first sermon she heard preached, but her husband had met with a number of impostures, and thought he would be wary. Mrs. Hawkins was at this time severely afflicted with rheumatism, and Father Nickerson, who made another visit to the family, told her if she had faith she could be healed, and after some argument, she began to think of the matter. One day the old lady was lying on the bed, fully awake; suddenly she sat up and began to repeat—William and family being present in the room, and hearing plainly every word—the 55th chapter of Isaiah. Going through the entire chapter, she followed with the chapter immediately preceding, and then with some from the Book of Mormon. William was greatly surprised at this, for he remembered the part which came from the Book of Mormon; he knew well the old lady had never read that book, or had any opportunity of learning its contents. When asked to explain, she declared she had had a vision: that the Bible had been presented to her, and she had read the two chapters in their order; that the Book of Mormon was also placed before her, and she also read from it; that the letters in the Bible were very plain and seemed as large as her thumb, while those of the Book of Mormon were much smaller and could not be seen so easily. She was a conscientious woman, and was very careful in her statement. The next morning Father Nickerson again came to the house, and was told of the events of the day before. He knelt down with the family and prayed, then laid hands on Mrs. Hawkins, rebuking her sickness in the name of the Lord; the rheumatism immediately left her body, as did also a pain which she had felt for some time in her side. The old lady at once expressed a desire to be baptized. Mrs. Hickenlooper did the same, and William, who had by this time pretty thoroughly investigated the claims put forth, was convinced of the divinity of the message, and the following Sunday was appointed to attend to the ordinance in the Allegheny river, then frozen over. On going down to the river, where they expected to have to cut the ice on Sunday, they found that that very morning the ice had broken, and they, with five others, were baptized. This was in February, 1839. A branch of the Church numbering about forty members was organized, and William was ordained to the office of an Elder by Elder Freeman Nickerson, March 34, 1839, and was oppointed to preside over the branch which shortly increased to about one hundred members. A few days after this organization, the river opened, and Father Nickerson proceeded with his company. In the year 1842, William paid a visit to Nauvoo, purchased a lot, and had a house built on it. Here he first saw the Prophet Joseph Smith. One day the Prophet met him and said, "You're the man I want to see. I want some money to send up the river for lumber for the Temple." William loaned the amount desired, which was all he had with him, and went off wondering how the Prophet knew he had any money. Some of the People tried to discourage him, saying he would never get it back, but it was returned according to agreement. In April, 1844, he moved with his family to Nauvoo, Ill., and was there at the time of the martyrdom of the Prophet and Patriarch and during the eventful scenes that followed. Nov. 2, 1844, William was ordained a Seventy, and became a member of the 5th quorum. Aug. 31, 1845, he was ordained to the office of a High Priest, at Yelrome, or what was generally known as the Morley settlement, and was made a member of the High Council of the Stake, of which Solomon Hancock was president. In the following spring he was driven with the Saints into Nauvoo, twenty-eight miles, leaving house, lot, farm and all. He left Nauvoo for the west in obedience to Pres. Brigham Young's instructions, and was about thirty miles distant at the time of the battle of Nauvoo; passed through Garden Grove, Mount Pisgah, and crossed the plains in Daniel Spencers hundred, Ira Eldredges fifty, Samuel Ensign's ten, and reached the Great Salt Lake valley, then in Upper California, Sept. 22, 1847, [p.610] his forty-third birthday. He built a log cabin half a block south of the "Old Fort." near his late residence, into which he moved with his family. At the time of the organization of the forts into five Wards, William was appointed to preside over what was then called the Fifth, having been previously ordained a Bishop by Pres. John Smith—in 1847—by direction of the High Council, with Joseph Stratton and Jacob Houtz as his counselors. In 1848, Pres. Brigham Young organized the city into Wards, commencing at the First, as at present, and William was appointed to preside over the Sixth. That season, when the destitute members of the Mormon Battalion arrived in Great Salt Lake valley, he went around among the people to gather something for their relief; some gave a pint of wheat, and a few gave more; but the people were very poor, and provisions scarce. Nov. 9, 1850, in Salt Lake City, he married Sarah C. Ward, daughter of Wm. and Susanna Ward, of England, by whom he had one son and three daughters. She was born July 8, 1819, in Keyham, Leicestershire, England; emigrated to Utah in 1850. Nov. 16, 1856, in Salt Lake City, he married Ann Ham, daughter of John and Sarah Ham, of England, by whom he had three sons and two daughters; she was born Jan. 1, 1825, in Dundeswell, Devonshire, England; emigrated to Utah in 1856; crossed the plains with Captain Ellisworth's hand-cart company. On March 29, 1866. Sarah, his first wife, died. July 9, 1860, Pres. Brigham Young directed Bishop Hickenlooper to take charge of the Fifth Ward also, Bishop Winter having resigned; he did so, and presided over both wards until June 12, 1877, when the Fifth Ward was reorganized, and Richard Brimley, then his second counselor, was chosen as its Bishop. Bishop Hickenlooper died Jan. 14, 1888, in Salt Lake City. At the time of his death Bishop Hickenlooper's living posterity numbered twelve children, thirty-six grandchildren and fifty-two great-grandchildren—100 in all,"

Spouses:

Sarah Jane Hawkins Hickenlooper (1803 - 1866)

Sarah Cordelia Ward Hickenlooper (1819 - 1910)

Ann Ham Hickenlooper (1825 - 1888)

Children:

Harriet Jane Hickenlooper Thornton (1830 - 1894)

Belinda Hickenlooper Wade (1832 - 1894)

John Thomas Hickenlooper (1836 - 1900)

Susanna Angeline Hickenlooper (1853 - 1855)

Sarah Cordelia Hickenlooper (1855 - 1855)

William Caleb Hickenlooper (1856 - 1887)

Orson Hyde Hickenlooper (1857 - 1939)

Rachel Ann Hickenlooper McLane (1860 - 1900)

Charles Andrew Hickenlooper (1862 - 1938)

Olive Jane Hickenlooper (1864 - 1866)

George Hickenlooper (1866 - 1940)

Created by: Schott Family

Record added: Oct 24, 2008

Find A Grave Memorial# 30837543

Married Sarah Hawkins, 29 Aug 1829, Indiana, Belford, Pennsylvania

Married Sarah Cordelia Ward, 10 Nov 1850, Salt Lake City, Utah [ ] Married Ann Ham, 16 Nov 1856, Salt Lake City, Utah

LDS Biographical Encyclopedia, Andrew Jenson, Vol. 1, p.607 Hickenlooper, William Haney, first Bishop of the Sixth Ward, Salt Lake City, Utah, was born in Westmoreland county, State of Pennsylvania, Sept. 22, 1804. His father was Andrew Hickenlooper, son of Andrew Hickenlooper, who, with his wife, came to York county, Pennsylvania, at an early day, and afterwards moved to the western frontier of Pennsylvania, near the present site of Pittsburg; they were of German descent. His mother was Rachel Long, daughter of John (of Scotch descent) and Rachel Long. His father was a farmer and was a soldier in the Revolution, serving three terms of enlistment, in the American army. William H. remained on the farm until he was about seventeen years of age, when he started out to earn his own livelihood; he followed various occupations for a number of years. Aug. 29, 1837, he married Sarah Hawkins, of Indiana county, Pennsylvania [p.608] (daughter of Caleb and Sarah Hawkings, formerly from Maryland), by whom he had three children—one son and two daughters. In the winter of 1838-39 William and family were residing in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania—at the time that the Latter-day Saints were being so bitterly persecuted in Missouri. Rumors were current throughout the country that the "Mormons" were burning and pillaging the houses of the citizens in that State; these rumors having been spread by the enemies of the Saints to draw public attention from their own horrible crimes and provide a temporary excuse for the infamous treatment of the "Mormons." At this time many of the Saints who had remained in New York were emigrating to Missouri, going by raft down the Allegheny and Ohio rivers, then traveling up to the gathering place. One of these rafts, containing three families, on its way down, was anchored on the Allegheny river for the night, about two miles from "Williams' farm; that night it froze so hard that the raft could not be got loose, and the voyagers were compelled to land. Although many similar rafts passed down during the winter, this was the only one frozen in. Elder Freeman Nickerson, or Father Nickerson, as he was familiarly called, was the leader of the detained company, and he at once began to preach the new and everlasting gospel to the people in that vicinity. One day, shortly afterward, William met Father Nickerson at a neighbor's house and invited him home, being anxious to see a "Mormon"—a real, live "Mormon," though he looked very much like an ordinary mortal and appeared to be an intelligent man—and to learn of the principles of "Mormonism," about which so much was being said, and which many thought was a "Yankee trick." Father Nickerson accepted the invitation, and was introduced to William's wife and mother-in-law as a "Mormon" preacher. The whole family were of the Baptist persuasion. Supper was provided, and Father Nickerson consented, by the earnest request of William, to remain all night. When William asked what was the difference between the "Mormons" and other religious sects, the Elder answered, "We believe the Bible: they do not." William disputed this, but was forced to yield point after point to his opponent, throughout a long argument. During the evening the remainder of the family treated the Elder so coldly that William felt ashamed, and when the latter went out late in the evening to attend to some outside chores, Father Nickerson departed, to the great annoyance of his host. Shortly afterward the Elder called and told William that he was going to preach at a certain time and place, and gave him an invitation to be present His wife objected, however, saying if he went, his horse would fall and he would have his neck broken. The night before the meeting it stormed and the road being so slippery, William decided to stay at home. Again Father Nickerson called, and announced another meeting, and William's wife insisting that if he attended she would go with him, they both went. William took his New Testament along, intending to expose every error, but found no use for it; he learned that the Elder was strictly truthful in his statements and correct in his references. Father Nickerson's daughter, who had recently lost her husband, and was in mourning, exercised the gift of tongues in the meeting. This puzzled William considerably; at first he thought it ridiculous, but the more he reflected the more he was forced to the conclusion, by the appearance of the lady and other circumstances, that she was at least sincere, and there might be something in it after all. Mrs. Hickenlooper [p.609] borrowed the Book of Mormon for a week, and William read it through to discover whether it was an imposition. When Elder Nickerson asked what he thought of it, he answered that if he was going to write a fraud he would make it more mysterious; the book was too plain. The Elder replied, "The Lord delights in plainness;" which fact William had to admit. Mrs. Hickenlooper partially believed the first sermon she heard preached, but her husband had met with a number of impostures, and thought he would be wary. Mrs. Hawkins was at this time severely afflicted with rheumatism, and Father Nickerson, who made another visit to the family, told her if she had faith she could be healed, and after some argument, she began to think of the matter. One day the old lady was lying on the bed, fully awake; suddenly she sat up and began to repeat—William and family being present in the room, and hearing plainly every word—the 55th chapter of Isaiah. Going through the entire chapter, she followed with the chapter immediately preceding, and then with some from the Book of Mormon. William was greatly surprised at this, for he remembered the part which came from the Book of Mormon; he knew well the old lady had never read that book, or had any opportunity of learning its contents. When asked to explain, she declared she had had a vision: that the Bible had been presented to her, and she had read the two chapters in their order; that the Book of Mormon was also placed before her, and she also read from it; that the letters in the Bible were very plain and seemed as large as her thumb, while those of the Book of Mormon were much smaller and could not be seen so easily. She was a conscientious woman, and was very careful in her statement. The next morning Father Nickerson again came to the house, and was told of the events of the day before. He knelt down with the family and prayed, then laid hands on Mrs. Hawkins, rebuking her sickness in the name of the Lord; the rheumatism immediately left her body, as did also a pain which she had felt for some time in her side. The old lady at once expressed a desire to be baptized. Mrs. Hickenlooper did the same, and William, who had by this time pretty thoroughly investigated the claims put forth, was convinced of the divinity of the message, and the following Sunday was appointed to attend to the ordinance in the Allegheny river, then frozen over. On going down to the river, where they expected to have to cut the ice on Sunday, they found that that very morning the ice had broken, and they, with five others, were baptized. This was in February, 1839. A branch of the Church numbering about forty members was organized, and William was ordained to the office of an Elder by Elder Freeman Nickerson, March 34, 1839, and was oppointed to preside over the branch which shortly increased to about one hundred members. A few days after this organization, the river opened, and Father Nickerson proceeded with his company. In the year 1842, William paid a visit to Nauvoo, purchased a lot, and had a house built on it. Here he first saw the Prophet Joseph Smith. One day the Prophet met him and said, "You're the man I want to see. I want some money to send up the river for lumber for the Temple." William loaned the amount desired, which was all he had with him, and went off wondering how the Prophet knew he had any money. Some of the People tried to discourage him, saying he would never get it back, but it was returned according to agreement. In April, 1844, he moved with his family to Nauvoo, Ill., and was there at the time of the martyrdom of the Prophet and Patriarch and during the eventful scenes that followed. Nov. 2, 1844, William was ordained a Seventy, and became a member of the 5th quorum. Aug. 31, 1845, he was ordained to the office of a High Priest, at Yelrome, or what was generally known as the Morley settlement, and was made a member of the High Council of the Stake, of which Solomon Hancock was president. In the following spring he was driven with the Saints into Nauvoo, twenty-eight miles, leaving house, lot, farm and all. He left Nauvoo for the west in obedience to Pres. Brigham Young's instructions, and was about thirty miles distant at the time of the battle of Nauvoo; passed through Garden Grove, Mount Pisgah, and crossed the plains in Daniel Spencers hundred, Ira Eldredges fifty, Samuel Ensign's ten, and reached the Great Salt Lake valley, then in Upper California, Sept. 22, 1847, [p.610] his forty-third birthday. He built a log cabin half a block south of the "Old Fort." near his late residence, into which he moved with his family. At the time of the organization of the forts into five Wards, William was appointed to preside over what was then called the Fifth, having been previously ordained a Bishop by Pres. John Smith—in 1847—by direction of the High Council, with Joseph Stratton and Jacob Houtz as his counselors. In 1848, Pres. Brigham Young organized the city into Wards, commencing at the First, as at present, and William was appointed to preside over the Sixth. That season, when the destitute members of the Mormon Battalion arrived in Great Salt Lake valley, he went around among the people to gather something for their relief; some gave a pint of wheat, and a few gave more; but the people were very poor, and provisions scarce. Nov. 9, 1850, in Salt Lake City, he married Sarah C. Ward, daughter of Wm. and Susanna Ward, of England, by whom he had one son and three daughters. She was born July 8, 1819, in Keyham, Leicestershire, England; emigrated to Utah in 1850. Nov. 16, 1856, in Salt Lake City, he married Ann Ham, daughter of John and Sarah Ham, of England, by whom he had three sons and two daughters; she was born Jan. 1, 1825, in Dundeswell, Devonshire, England; emigrated to Utah in 1856; crossed the plains with Captain Ellisworth's hand-cart company. On March 29, 1866. Sarah, his first wife, died. July 9, 1860, Pres. Brigham Young directed Bishop Hickenlooper to take charge of the Fifth Ward also, Bishop Winter having resigned; he did so, and presided over both wards until June 12, 1877, when the Fifth Ward was reorganized, and Richard Brimley, then his second counselor, was chosen as its Bishop. Bishop Hickenlooper died Jan. 14, 1888, in Salt Lake City. At the time of his death Bishop Hickenlooper's living posterity numbered twelve children, thirty-six grandchildren and fifty-two great-grandchildren—100 in all,"

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Oct 31 2016, 2:09:42 UTC