LIFE SKETCH OF WILLIAM A. CHILD
William Alfred Child, son of Orval Child and Sarah U. Rawson was born at Ogden, Weber County, Utah, April 3, 1864. When a boy about ten years old his father was called on a mission among the Indians. William accompanied his father on this mission where they spent four years among the Lamanites, teaching them how to till the ground, also taught them the Principles of the Gospel. They both learned the Indian language and as a boy William's play with the Indians was the means of his becoming an exceptionally good swimmer and while yet a boy was the means of rescuing and saving the lives of two drowning men in the Ogden River.
In the spring of 1877 the family moved to Deweyville, locating close to the Indian Mission, where they continued to labor or spend a portion of their time among the Indians.
In the fall of 1880 they moved back to Ogden, where the spent the winter, and the following spring his father purchased a small farm at Plain City, where they lived until his marriage,
He worked with his father on the farm and in buying and selling cattle until the spring of 1886, when they met with reverses in business speculations, which took their home and nearly all of the property they owned. They then took what little property they had left and started for Star Valley, Wyoming, where they arrived May 10, 1887 after a very hard and tedious journey through the mud, water and snow, which took them three weeks to complete. They endured the trials and hardships incident to Pioneer life in a new and isolated country. The winter of 1888-1889 being exceptionally severe, the roads and trails were blocked by son, so that for several months there was no way of getting provisions into the valley except by carrying them on their backs, a distance of about 50 miles, and making the trip on skis or snowshoes.
At one time they were compelled to subsist almost entirely on Elk meat and a little bread, after enduring many trial and hardships among which were the laying away of two of their dear little ones, they finally succeeded in building a good comfortable home but it seemed like trouble could not lose its hold on the family and they were not permitted to enjoy their home very long. Ill health and other complications compelled them to leave their home to seek a better climate.
Through all of their troubles and trials he never wavered in the least in his faith in the Gospel, and was ever ready to acknowledge the hand of the Lord in all things. although he, like all others made many mistakes in his life, yet he was very humble and always had great faith and the power of the Priesthood, and in trouble always turned to that source for help.
About 1889 when the Fairview Ward was organized he became Superintendent of the Sunday School, which position he held for about four years, then on account of his wife's ill health he went to Ogden and lived for several years. He was honorably released from the Superintendency of the Sunday School.
It was his nature to be a peacemaker among his associates. Malice or Ill will seemed to be foreign to his nature.



WILLIAM CHILD DIES OF "FLU"
We have received word that Wm. Childs, formerly of Fairview, died at his home in Smithfield, Utah last Saturday, Mr Child was a resident of Star Valley for many years. We have not learned any of the details except that he died of the flu, and was buried in Ogden. We shall write more about him next week providing we can get some information,
FAIRVIEW PIONEER CALLED BY DEATH
CAME TO THE VALLEY IN 1888 HAS BEEN ONE OF VALLEYS HARDIEST PIONEERS
Wm.A. Child of Smithfield, Utah, formerly of Fairview, passed away Mar 18, 1922.
He was born in Ogden, Utah April 3, 1864.
His death was caused by pneumonia following an attack of the flu. He was one of the very first settlers of star Valley and lived here the greater part of his life. Me married Amanda Taylor of Ogden in 1884, and came to Star Valley in 1888 to make a home with the pioneers who built the first houses, fences, canals ect. He manifested great interest in the affairs of the town at one time he was Supt. of the Sunday School. He was devoted to his family and found his greatest happiness around the fireside with his congenial wife and children. He was looked upon as a big brother by a wide circle of friends who found him kind-hearted and benevolent especially thoughtful of widows and fatherless.
His health as well as the health of his wife seemed to require a lower altitude and they moved to Smithfield, Utah two years ago. He is survived by two sons, Wm W. and Elman. Two daughters preceded him to the other side.
His aged mother Mrs Urinda R. Child and Mrs L. Wilkes, Mrs M. Richardson, Mrs Edgar Roberts, Mrs J. C. Dewey, Mrs Elva Reed of Idaho, Orville R. Child of Ogden,, Ezra Child of Fairview and Mrs John Barkdull of Fairview also survive him.
Funeral services were held in Ogden where he was buried.

Child, William (1) (i 24 Mar 1922)Star Valley Independent