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 William Thorn LDS Biographical Encyclopedia, Andrew Jenson, Vol. 1, p.610-611
Thorn, William, Bishop of the Seventh Ward, Salt Lake City, Utah, is the son of Thomas Thorn and Margaret McGienty, and was born Oct. 26, 1815, at Chalford, Aston parish, Oxfordshire, England. Elder Thorn writes in a brief biographical sketch: "My parents were very poor; my father died, when I was nine years old, leaving my mother with four small children—three boys and one girl. I, being the oldest child, went out to work for a farmer for about eight cents a day, but by working overtime I was able to help my mother to pay her house rent. My mother took in washing to support the family. After a while I obtained other employment and managed to save enough to go to a night school. Wherever I worked I endeavored to do my best and soon found favor with my employers. After following various kinds of employment in my native town, I decided to go to London, which I did. I went there not knowing anyone, but soon found employment in a livery stable, and made friends and acquaintances. Later, I worked for a lord as his groom, and finally I became engaged in training blooded horses for the army and for racing and for hunting. I was engaged in this work when, in the fall of 1848, I first heard the gospel preached by Elder James D. Ross and others. From the time I first heard 'Mormonism' I believed it was true, but I was so taken up with other affairs that I did not obey it practically till April 23, 1849, when I was baptized and confirmed a member of the Church by Elder Wm. Booth. Subsequently I was ordained a Priest by Wm. Booth and did local missionary work. In the fall of that year I assisted in organizing a branch of the Church in Knightsbridge, London, and in July, [p.611] 1850, I helped to raise up a branch at Windsor, Berkshire, of which latter branch I became the secretary and treasurer. Jan. 6, 1851, I left London for America, crossing the ocean in the ship "Geo. W. Bourne," and landing at New Orleans March 20th. From there I went to St. Louis, Mo., and thence to Council Bluffs, Iowa, by boat. While on this journey my son Henry fell overboard and was drowned April 12, 1851. At Council Bluffs we obtained our outfit and organized for the journey west: Elder Alfred Cordon was chosen captain of the company, and we started on the long and wearisome trip across the plains July 1, 1851. We arrived in the Valley Oct. 2, 1851, nearly nine months after we had left London. I located on the spot where I still reside in the Seventh Ward, Salt Lake City. Soon after my arrival I was appointed to be a Ward teacher in that Ward. During the first winter I suffered much from rheumatic fever, and I also had my feet frozen. March 23, 1852, I married Mariah Susannah Merrick, and in November of that year I was ordained an Elder by James W. Cummings. Feb. 5, 1853, I was ordained a High Priest by Wm. W. Major. During the Johnston army trouble in 1857-58 I did military service in Echo canyon as commissary under Col. Thos. Caltister; later, I attained the rank of captain. While I was absent my family moved south, to Spanish Fork, Utah county, but after the trouble was over they returned. Dec. 15, 1861, I was chosen to act as second counselor to Bishop Jonathan Pugmire, jun., of the 7th Ward, and was also called to be a member of the High Council, which position I held for a number of years. At the reorganization of the Seventh Ward Bishopric, March 12, 1865, I was called to serve as first counselor to Bishop Thos. McLelland. When Bishop McLelland resigned his position as Bishop Dec. 24, 1870, I was appointed to preside over the Ward with Elders Henry Dinwoody and Thos. H. Woodbury as counselors, which position I held till June 15, 1877, when the Ward was reorganized, and I was ordained a Bishop and set apart to preside as such by Pres. Daniel H. Wells. This responsible Position I have held up to the present time." |
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