William S. S. Willes

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William Sydney Smith Willes was a Mormon pioneer, member of the Mormon Battalion, and one of the founders of Lehi, Utah.[citation needed]

Willes was born on March 18, 1819, in Jefferson City, Missouri. He marched as a member of the Mormon Battalion (private, Company B).[1][2] In 1852, he married 18-year-old Lucinda Alzina Lott, daughter of Cornelius Lott. They had 10 children together. Five years later Willes began practicing plural marriage when he married 24-year-old Docia Emmerine Molen. They had one child together, but then divorced. Docia married Lucinda's older brother in 1862. Willes did not take any additional plural wives.

During the April 1863 general conference, Willes was called on a mission to England.[3] Upon his return, he captained[4] a pioneer company of English and German saints that crossed the plains in late summer 1865.[5]

Willes died on February 3, 1871, at the age of 51.

Note that Willes has no relation to William Willes, hymnwriter.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Esshom, Frank. Pioneers and Prominent Men of Utah. Utah Pioneers Book Publishing Company, Salt Lake City, Utah, 1913.
  2. ^ "A Documented, Researched Roster of the Mormon Battalion". www.mormonbattalion.com. [1]. Accessed 20 August 2007.
  3. ^ Cannon, George Q. The Latter-Day Saints' Millennial Star. 1863, p. 334.
  4. ^ "Captain W. S. S. Willis' Company," Deseret News, 20 Sept. 1865, 403.
  5. ^ Willes, W. S. S., to Brigham Young, 8 Sept. 1865, in Brigham Young, Office Files 1832-1878, reel 42, box 30, fd. 18. See online version at [2]. Accessed 20 August 2007.
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