Thursday, January 13, 2011

Henson Walker Jr 1820 - 1904

Birth: Mar. 13, 1820
Manchester
Ontario County
New York, USA
Death: Jan. 24, 1904
Pleasant Grove
Utah County
Utah, USA

Son of Henson Walker SR.,and Matilda Arnold

Pleasant Grove's First Mayor and Spiritual Leader

Grew up on a farm in New York.

He studied his Bible carefully and went with the Minister around his circuit.

Enjoyed hunting and fishing.

Had black hair and eyes, was tall at six feet, straight and well built- much inclined to athletics and liked wrestling and was a good runner. Active and quick in thought and deed.

Moved to Michigan in 1835.

Often preached at Medthodist services in a clear loud voice. He felt there was something lacking in his religion and heard the message of the Mormon Elders. Converted and baptized on April 16, 1840.

His family didn't follow him in his conversion, so he left them and went to Salem, Michigan.

1st Husband of Martha Ann Bouck ,married 24 Aug 1841, they have one son.

Went to Nauvoo, Illnois with his wife and her family and met the Prophet Joseph Smith. Said about that: "I was thrilled in every fiber of my being and I knew I was looking into the face of a prophet of God".

Worked on the temple and worked hard to build up the church. Member of Nauvoo Legion as a Major. Member of the Prophet's body-guard.

Had a baby boy named John, Martha died in August. Henson moved to this in-laws house, where Mother Bouck took care of the baby.

2nd husband of Elizabeth Foutz, married 10 Apr 1846 in the new Nauvoo temple by Orson Hyde.

May 1846, Henson crossed the Mississippi with Elder Cutler's company and went back and helped get people out of Nauvoo.

In the Spring of 1847, just recovering from a fever, Henson was called to go west with the first band of pioneers. He left Elizabeth who was sick with the fever, not knowing if he would see her again. She stayed with the Bouck's.
A short time after Henson and his family arrive in Utah, he was called to go to California, but he was about ready, he was relaeased and given other work to do, as the pioneers began making Utah an inhabitable place to live (farming, problems with Indians,etc.)

Spring of 1850 went and build a ferry on the Platte River.

Called to look after the spiritual affairs of the north end of Utah valley as one of two leaders on the settlement.

Married 3rd husband of Sophronia Phylinda Clark in 7 June 1852, they have daughters and 4th husband of Mary Green in 1856. Married 5th husband of Margaret Foutz (sister to Elizabeth) in 1857.

Henson became the first mayor of Pleasant Grove, Utah, Utah in 1854, when Pleasant Grove became a city.

Went on a mission to Great Britain from 1863 to 1865. Preside over Scottish Mission in 1864. Later filled two mission to the Northern States.

Served as a bishop and president of the high priests quarum of the Utah and Alpine Stakes.

Died on 24 Jan 1904, 84 years old. He buried at Pleasant Grove Cemetery, Pleasant Grove, Utah, Utah.

Twenty children total: 11 sons, 9 daughters. (one son with his first wife.) 5 sons and 2 daughters with Elizabeth Foutz. 4 daughters with Sophronia Clark. 4 sons and 3 daughters with Mary Green and 1 son with Margaret Foutz.

Had genial and pleasant ways and was popluar with the people and highly respected