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Memorial to Grandfather

William Walter Wilson

Born 1825, Armagh, Ireland

Died 1880, Midway, Utah

Arrived in Utah, 1854

Mormon pioneer, polygamist, poet, farmer, miner, and militia member.

His families were raised near this site, now designated as Wasatch State Park.

He had an esthetic nature, and spent many hours writing poetry in this picturesque setting overlooking the beautiful Heber Valley and surrounded by the mountains he loved.

He was buried under these oaks, where he enjoyed much of his leisure time. Legend has it that he requested burial here in a sitting position in order “to see the sun rise over the majestic mountains, lighting the beautiful valley below.”

Related:

• history.churchofjesuschrist.org

A reference to this on the billiongraves page for Moroni Blood:

A granddaughter of Moroni and Louisa Blood, Thelma Blood Carlile, daughter of Roswell Jr and Hazel McNaughton Blood was only eight years old when Moroni Blood died but said he was definitely the carpenter who made most of the decorative cornices on the old pioneer homes in Midway. She also remembered that he made coffins — one at the request of a man who wanted to be buried sitting up! The coffin had to be specially shaped. He also wanted to be buried on his own property at the bottom of Snake Creek Canyon.

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Historic Homes in Midway:

• Bonner House, George Jr.
• Bonner House, George Sr.
• Bonner House, William
• Watkins-Coleman House

Historic Buildings in Midway:

• Midway Town Hall
• Midway Social Hall
• Snake Creek Hydroelectric Power Plant
• Tithing Office

Other Midway posts:

• Dutch Hollow Fire
• Lime Kiln
• Midway Fort
• Midway Ice Castles
• Midway Lane Gold Medal Mile
• The Rebirth of a River
• Warm Ditch Spring Ranch
• Midway posts sorted by address

The first known European-Americans to visit the area, a valley just northeast of Mount Timpanogos, were members of a fur-trapping 1824 brigade led by Étienne Provost, a French-Canadian. The area was referred to as upper Provo, and is also the name of the river running south through the valley.

A wagon road was completed through Provo Canyon in 1858 which brought the first settlers to the area. Two small communities were established: Mound City and a lower settlement sometimes referred to as Smiths Grove. Mound City was named for the many nearby limestone formations. Smiths Grove was first settled by the Robey, Epperson, Bronson, McCarroll, and Smith families.

Indian hostilities grew, and territorial governor, Brigham Young, encouraged settlers to build forts for protection. The two settlements built a fort, “midway” between the two communities. In the 1860s and 70s, a large number of Swiss immigrants arrived, including the Gertsch, Boss, Huber, Kohler, Probst, Zenger, Durtschi, Krebs, Murri, and Abegglen families. Descendants of some these families still live in Midway.

Midway was incorporated June 1, 1891; its industry based on livestock and farming. As the town grew, so did the need for building materials. In the early 1850s, sawmills were built, operated by Henry T. Coleman, John Watkins, and Moroni Blood. John H. Van Wagoner constructed the first commercial gristmill in 1861. Bonner Mercantile Store was the first retail store.

Civic improvements were made in the 1930s and 1940s, including a concrete sidewalk program started in 1938. The Midway Recreation Center, called the “Town Hall,” was dedicated in June 1941, and is the center of many community events, including Swiss Days. In 2011, Town Hall received a seismic upgrade including reinforced walls, a new roof, and re-pointing of its pot-rock (tufa) exterior. At the same time the building received a new heating system, air conditioning, and a much needed exterior-trim paint job.