William Wilkinson Dixon by Electa Skeen Johnson (granddaughter)

William Wilkinson Dixon by Electa Skeen Johnson (granddaughter)

William Wilkinson Dixon was born at Bothel, Torpenhow, Cumberland, England on November 14, 1818, the son of William Dixon and Ann Wilkinson. His grandfather was William Dixon, born at Dumfries, Scotland – his grandmother Elizabeth Little. Very little information is at hand concerning his early life. Even to those who knew him intimately during his early manhood and later life, he did not seem to care to talk of his early life. There seemed to be a sadness connected with his youth that he desired to forget. His only known relative was his father’s brother, Robert Dixon. For some unknown reason William was reared by his paternal grandparents, his father having married a Hannah Steele in 1824.

When he was about nine years of age he became crippled in a very mysterious manner. One evening he retired in his usual healthy condition. In the morning when he arose and stepped out upon the floor one of his feet troubled him. He was unable to straighten it, as it turned inwardly from the ankle. His foot and limb developed normally, but he always walked with a slight limp. The cause of this condition was never known to him.

The property of William’s grandfather was surrounded by a hedge which separated it from that of his neighbor. One day as William played beside the hedge he saw a small opening through which he crawled and lay gazing into the neighbor’s apple orchard where the delicious fruit hung, ripening in the sun. He crept further on and just as his head emerged he heard the harsh voice of the neighbor call, “Dixon, where are you going?” “I’m going back,” meekly replied William as he scrambled back.

William became restless at an early age, and a spirit of adventure crept into his life. It has been said that his early male ancestors had for generations been in naval service in Scotland and England. Perhaps this urged him, perhaps loneliness, perhaps the Spirit of God already had begun to prepare him for the glorious fulfillment of his later years. He left his Grandfather’s home and went to sea, serving first as a cabin boy. For two years he followed this sea-faring life, doubtless touching at many ports and learning much of life and people. He finally crossed the Atlantic Ocean and landed in New York City. He went into the northern part of the state of New York and lived for some time on a farm there.

We do not know the details of the conversion of William Wilkinson Dixon to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Evidently elders must have been traveling in that section, for there he heard and accepted the gospel. He was baptized by Elder William Carter at the age of twenty-two.

At about this time he met Sabra Lake, the eldest daughter of James Lake and Philomela Smith. His deep admiration for her grew into an affection which was returned by her. Her parents recognized the sterling qualities of character of the young convert and readily gave their consent and blessings. They were married at Geneva, Illinois on August 16, 1842. They continued to live here near her parents and here their eldest sons, Henry and Harvey were born. In 1845, William moved his family to Nauvoo where he assisted in the erection of the temple. When the expulsion of the saints from Nauvoo took place, he with his family crossed the Mississippi River on the ice in February and began the march westward. They arrived in Council Bluffs, Iowa in the fall of 1846 and later moved to Holt County, Missouri where they lived for three years. Here he prospered in herds and flocks.

In 1850, the company organized for the final march across the plains. Sabra’s father, James Lake, was made captain of six hundred wagons. William was well equipped with a splendid team, wagon, and provisions. With pride in his family, joy and courage in his heard, he looked longingly ahead to the time when they might be established in a permanent home among the saints in Utah. While encamped on the Platte River, Sabra was stricken with cholera and her life despaired of. The faith of her husband and the saints prevailed and her life was spared that she might continue to carry on in this great migration with her husband and five children. In this company William met and formed the close friendship with Pleasant Green Taylor, which continued throughout his life as they lived as neighbors at Harrisville.

The company arrived in Salt Lake City on October 7, 1850. The members of the company rested there for a few days among the saints and then traveled north to Ogden’s fort where they located for the winter. In the sprint of 1851 William drove back over the old Mormon Trail and assisted in bringing in other pioneers who needed assistance on the last lap of the long hard journey. In the summer of 1851 William moved his family five miles west of Ogden and with other pioneer families established the little village of Harrisville. Because of the hostility of the Indians at this time, Brigham Young called the families together at Bingham’s Fort for protection during the winter of 1853. In the spring they again returned to their homes in Harrisville, but the hostility continued. The men were obliged to guard their families and homes night and day.

William and Sabra chose for their home site a beautiful spot among the poplar and cottonwood trees beside a running stream. Here they built a log house and made a rock cellar beside the stream. Later he built a frame house on an elevation a few rods to the west for the accommodation of his increasing family. Beside the kitchen door he dug the “Old Dixon” well which was known throughout the valley. Its deep rock walls and its hospitable moss-covered bucket invited many a weary, thirsty traveler to spot for a drink and chat with “Father Dixon.”

William loved the soil. He and his sons planted an orchard just below the hill to the southward. He loved to prune his trees and found joy in their bud and bloom and fruit. How many times as he walked among the trees must he have remembered his experience in the old English apple orchard in his youth. Between the rows of trees in his orchard he planted various kinds of berries. His strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries were the choicest in the valley. There was one row of an unusual variety of fruit, called ground cherries which grew on a low, rambling bush and were most delicious and rare. South of his orchard he planted his garden and on to the south stretched his fields of grain and rich, green meadows.

He was considered a “perfect neighbor”, thoughtful and considerate of the interests and rights of others. He was honest; this sense of honesty set him apart as one of whom the Scotch poet, Robert Burns, speaks:

“An honest man, tho e’ev sae poor, is king o’ men for a’ that.”

In anticipations of daily obligation William kept a small flock of sheep grazing in his meadowlands. Whenever he employed help, the daily wage was in his hand when he bade them goodnight. William, though an exile in youth, found at last a home. Surrounded by his loved ones, his neighbors and friends he cherished this haven of rest.

He found a deep and satisfying joy in his religion. He honored the priesthood which he held. To him a principle was a law and he gave implicit obedience. The observance of morning and evening prayer in the home circle, the payment of tithes and fast offerings, attendance at church services and ward duties were to him duties to be met with integrity and dependability. He taught his children by example as well as by precept.

For forty years William and Sabra lived in peace and comfort at the home they established when their pilgrimage across the plains was ended. Hand in hand they met life’s joys and sorrows. Their posterity today is legion in number. Their memories are honored and cherished. Their sacrifices have made it possible for us to inherit eternal life.

As age advanced William suffered from a serious kidney ailment. Calling his children from Idaho and Utah he and Sabra journeyed with them to the Logan Temple. There they perfected their family ties and did work for their kindred dead. Shortly after returning home, William was taken seriously ill. He passed away June 10, 1891 at his home in Harrisville, surrounded by his devoted wife, family and friends. He was buried in the Ogden City Cemetery.