A sketch of the life of Sarah Wheeler Etherington, born October 21, 1840 at Gravely Cambridgeshire, England. She was blessed November 4, 1840, by Joseph Fielding. She was the fourth child of John and Elizabeth Gillings Wheeler and the grand daughter of William and Sarah Marns Gillings. The dates of the grandparents births are not known. Her great grandparents on her father's side were John and Mary Fisher Wheeler. John was born August 10, 1768 and Mary Fisher was born April 6, 1780.

Her father, John Wheeler was born September 13, 1804; and her mother, Elizabeth Gillings Wheeler was born October 1807. Sarah's parents were farmers and gardners. Her father was a kind, mild quiet man as was Sarah. Sarah was lovable and kind in disposition.

At the age of nine, she came to the United States with her parents. They were on the ocean nine weeks. Their rations being so scarce they barely had enough to keep them alive. After landing they journeyed to Ohio where they lived for two years, then moved to Council Bluffs, where they farmed until they could get their supplies to come to Utah.

They left Council Bluffs June 11, 1857 with the William Walker Company, to come to the Salt Lake Valley.

While crossing the plains they were attacked by a mob who cut out the tongues of two of their oxen. They suffered many other trials and hardships. They arrived in Utah September 5, 1857, going to North Ogden where they stayed one month and moved to Slaterville where they lived for several years and then moved back to North Ogden.

Sarah's mother had rather poor health and much of the housekeeping fell to Sarah.

Sarah was baptized and confirmed on January 22, 1858 by William Garner and was married to Thomas Etherington in the Salt Lake Endowment House March 9, 1858. To this union twelve children were born, nine girls and three boys: Elizabeth Ann (Hadley); Sarah Jane (Goodale); Mary Eliza (McFarland); Susan Adelia (McFarland); Frances Alice (Charlton); Ellen Marie, died as a child; Thomas Wheeler, died as a child; Emily Edith, died as a child; Laura May (Blanch); Esther Caroline (McFarland); George William; James Albert.

After they were married they secured a house near her father in Slaterville, living there until 1869 when they moved across the river to West Weber where they lived the rest of their lives.

They had many sheep and cattle and always milked a number of cows. She and the girls made butter and sold it to help meet expenses. She took three of her brother's children to raise in the year 1892 and raised them as if they were her own. She was like a mother to the children of her husband's sister for they would come and stay two or three weeks at a time.

As there were no boys among the older children they had to hire some help for the farm work. Sarah treated the hired men as if they were her own. Some expressing them selves that she was like a mother to them; for she possessed that warm feeling of love and good will toward men.

William Hawkes, a convert to the Latter-day Saint religion and a nephew of Patriarch Nathan Hawkes, lived with them several years.

Many came to her home hungry, but none were ever turned away. She was a good cook.

In 1867 her husband married Margaret Newby bringing her to live with Sarah. They lived together very peacefully. Three children were born to Margaret.

Sarah was sustained as second counselor to President Mary Douglas of the Relief Society in July 1871 and was set apart as first counselor to President Frances B. Dance in January 1889 by Bishop Robert McFarland, holding that position until her death. Spending 28 years in Relief Society work

She was a true and loving wife and mother and a devout Latter-day Saint and was loved by all who knew her. Many remembered her for her kindness.

Sarah Wheeler Etherington died March 17, 1899 at her home in West Weber and was buried in the Ogden City Cemetery.

Submitted by Eliza Blanch Wagstaff, And Dee and Virginia McFarland.

Source:

In The Bend Of The River

History Of West Weber 1859-1976