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Submitted by David Smith
- Born: 26 January 1839, Lionville, Chester, Pennsylvania, United States
- Died: 8 Mar 1912, Toquerville, Washington, Utah, United States
Originally published as “Eventful Life Closed,” Washington County News, 21 March 1912.
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 PA on Jan 26, 1839, his parents being Samuel and Eleanor Beitler Bringhurst.
In the year 1845, the family was 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 suppress Indian trouble and guard the mails. He served under the late D D McArthur and in the famous Lot Smith company. In 1862 the subject of this sketch was married to Selinda D Palmer. In 1866 they were 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 Feb 1874, he was set apart as bishop of the ward and served in this capacity till his death. In 1867 he was married to Susanna Steele and in 1884 to Mary J Stapley who survive him. The deceased is the father of twenty-five children, twenty of which 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’s 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.
