OBITUARY NOTICE

13 March 1871

Monday, March 13. Mild weather prevailed in Salt Lake City. Bishop Alfred Cordon, of Willard City died. The Deseret Evening News of March 14, 1871 published the following demise:

Death of Bishop Cordon, -- The following telegram was received by the Desert Telegraph line this morning:

Willard City, March 13, 1871

Bishop A. M. Musser: At 2 o'clock this afternoon our bishop ALFRED CORDON, departed this life; he had been suffering from inflammation of the lungs for about a week past. Further particulars hereafter. Funeral tomorrow.

Geo. A. Mears

The death of Bishop Cordon will be received with surprise by his many friends. It is but a few days since he was in this city, seemingly hearty and robust, and judging from his appearance, likely to live for years; and being a man well known and very generally respected by the entire community, the news of his death will be cause of great regret.

The following details of the death and funeral of Bishop Cordon were published in the "Deseret Evening News" of March 20.

Funeral Services: We have received the following short obituary, and account of the funeral service of the late Bishop A. Cordon, which took place at Willard City a few days since.

"Alfred Cordon was the second son of Sampson and Myra Cordon, and was born at Toxteth Park, near Liverpool, England, on the 28th day of February, 1817, and at the time of his decease was 54 years and two weeks old.

He was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the year 1839, by Elder David Wilding, in Manchester, England.

He commenced to preside in Willard City in 1857 He died on the 13th instant at 2 P.M,, and was buried on the 15th, in the afternoon.

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Funeral

The funeral services commenced at one o'clock. The coffin was borne, on the shoulders of the Teachers, from his late residence to the school house. An immense concourse of people was present; not over one half of whom could gain admittance.

The meeting was called to order by Elder Geo W. Ward.

After singing and prayer, short, appropriate and consolatory addresses were delivered by President Lorenzo Snow and Elder Jonathan C. Wright

Singing and Prayer closed the services.

The people turned out in masses to join in the procession, which was in the following order: At the head was the body in charge of Elder George W. Ward and M. W. Dalton: several conveyances containing the near relatives of the deceased; the Presidency of the Stake; Bishop Nichols and some ten carriages with visitors from Brigham City; some fifty conveyances containing citizens of this place. The rear was composed of the brethern and sisters of the choir and a long column of citizens on foot. The line formed was over a half mile in length.

The assembly formed in circles around the grave, where the services consisted of singing and prayer.

It was very gratifying to witness the many little acts of kindness extended by the people in general to the bereaved. Each seemed to vie with the other in the offices of encouragement and consolation.

Thus passed to his resting place a staunch veteran in the cause of God. Whatever may have been his shortcomings, none can reproach him with lack of loyalty to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was a zealous advocate and determined defender of the faith from his commencement in the ministry, some thirty years ago, until the day of his death, he was on terms of closest intimacy with the Presidency of the Church.

His sickness inflammation of the lungs lasted but a few days, and he passed from this life, as he had often expressed a wish to do, without a lengthy sickness, and free from the cares and anxiety which often surround the death-bed.

It would be superfluous to pass and eulogium upon his life and services as there are but few of the experienced members of the Church who are not more or less acquainted with the name and services of Alfred Cordon.

He leaves a large family and a very extended circle of relatives and friends to mourn his loss.

(copied from the Church Archives - May 1, 1961 by a Great Grandson-Alfred Swainston Cordon)

Source: Daughters of Utah Pioneers, Salt Lake City, Utah