by Elizabeth Thompson, daughter

Daniel Thompson was born in Markham, Canada, Dec 25, 1834, the son of William and Elizabeth McCauley Thompson. His parents moved from Canada to Quincy, Illinois, where the mother Elizabeth died Oct. 7, 1845, when Daniel was just eleven years old.

In Qunicy, Ill. the Thompson family joined the Mormon Church, and came to Utah in 1850, where they were sent to the Woods Cross area. Also in this area were the Noah Bartholomew family, the Anson Call and the Chandler Holbrook family. Daniel was a lad of past seventeen years old when he began working for Noah Bartholomew, therefore when Noah was called by Anson Call to come to Fillmore and help build the Capitol of the Territory, Noah brought Daniel along with his family, as Daniel was always treated as a member of the family.

On Apr. 17, 1853, Volney King relates an incident typical of the work Daniel Thompson did to help settle this new land. Daniel and Sam Brown were sent by Bishop Noah Bartholomew to help ferry Jonathan P. Smith across the Sevier River as it was in floodtimes. They had to take his wagon apart, the wheels of the wagon and some of the luggage were placed in the boat while the wagon box was towed across, and the horses made to swim across. After the first trip, they noticed that Indians had stolen the hobbled horses and were riding them off into cedars. They hurriedly finished ferrying the machinery across the river and after a hot chase of the Indians, one of which was shot by Sam Brown, (but not killed) they caught up with their horses and finally arrived in Fillmore.

Volney King goes on to tell how on May 4, 1854 there was a double wedding to which the whole town was invited. The two couples who were married were: Daniel Thompson and Lorinda Bronson, Lewis L. Bartholomew and Clarinda Robison. Their marriages were later sealed in the Endowment House in Salt Lake City. Shortly after this, Daniel Thompson went into the employment of Samuel P. Hoyt, one of the first owners of a flour mill in Fillmore.

Daniel and Lorinda were good managers, and through strict economy they were able to raise seven children while living in Fillmore. Daniel was twice elected as a member of the Territorial Legislature and was a member of the Constitutional Convention.

In 1866, Daniel was sent by Brigham Young to assist bringing emigrants across the plains. While on this mission Gabriel and Eunice Huntsman, who were very close friends of Daniel and Lorinda, helped Lorinda with her family and assisted in keeping them in food and other supplies. These two couples visited back and forth all of the years they-were alive, just as one family visits its members.

In 1867, Round Valley was organized as a branch and Daniel was chosen by the church authorities to be Presiding Elder. How they disliked leaving their many friends, but the call from authority was never questioned, thus Daniel, Lorinda and family of seven children moved to Round Valley to help settle that part of Zion.

The Indians were hostile, therefore, a fort had to be built, Daniel, Lorinda and their seven children lived in one log room and a lean-to, as long as they had to live in the fort. In 1868, Daniel built two large log rooms and they moved from the fort, this house seemed like a palace to them after their crowded quarters.

Brigham Young traveled back and forth from Salt Lake to St. George, where he had a winter home, a wife and family. He always stayed in Scipio on the way and therefore asked Daniel Thompson, who also became the Bishop of Scipio, to build another room on his home and call it the "Brigham Room". This was done and the family enjoyed many visits from their beloved President. Later when Daniel built a large brick home, they took the sand- stone step to Brigham's room as a momento of the many pleasant visits they had had with President Young.

About 1869, when the law of Plural Marriage was revealed, Daniel married Lydia Ann Live as a second wife. Children of Daniel and Lorinda Bronson Thompson were: Daniel Edwin, William Donrel, Henry, Lorenda Delcena, William Riley, Leamon, Rosabelle, Emily, Martha Ann, Francis Marion, Raymond and Elizabeth.

Nine children were born to Daniel and his second wife Lydia Ann Live: Orson Edmund; Lillie Isadore; James Alexander; Don Leroy, Alton Rex, Florence Bell, Lydia Ellis, Earl Edwin; and Nina Electa.

In 1871, the Scipio Ward voted to join the United order. Every one turned in his property to the Church. Boys and girls milked the cows and the milk was distributed to the families as needed. A dairy was built where cheese and butter were made for the community.

Most of the people cooperated and the United Order seemed to be practical under the leadership of a man as thoughtful and kind as Daniel Thompson, but due to some discontent among the Church as a whole, the United Order was discontinued.

Daniel Thompson was a real peacemaker, the story is told of how two big men were fighting desperately and the onlookers were afraid the two would kill each other. They ran for Daniel Thomson, but his wife asked him not to go, as he might be killed. He assured her he would be protected by the Lord.

When he arrived at the scene he walked up to the fighting men and put his arms around them saying, "Boys don't you think you have had enough?" They answered "We will quit for you, Daniel, however, we wouldn't quit fighting for any one else in the world." One man said "Daniel Thompson would reach down to Hell, and pull every man out, if he could."

After serving as Bishop of Scipio, for twenty years, Daniel served as First Counselor to Ira N. Hinckley in the Stake Presidency for fourteen years. He was made a Patriarch of the Church, November 24, 1905. He died July 29, 1912, and is buried in the Scipio Cemetery between his two wives

His two families cooperated and loved each other as one large family.

Source: Builders of Early Millard