John Wagstaff (1816-1901)

by

Bert W. Wagstaff

"Blessed are the meek; for they shall inherit the earth." That is the blessing Christ gave to such as John Wagstaff. John was born in Bedfordshire, England in the year 1816, the son of Isaac Wagstaff and Mary Bathsheba Gillions. His father died while the family was still rather young. There were eleven children. John married Sarah Humberstone, and earned his living by farming, dairying, and running a small grocery store; all on a small scale.


Before making their own home, John, William, and Samuel were gardeners by trade and left home to find work. "Good works in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform". For it was while away from home working, that the boys met the Mormon Missionaries. Upon the return of the boys, the Wagstaff family began to hear the wonders of the new religion. The widowed mother had scant patience with these tales, but the boys persisted, and each time they returned home they brought more stories of the Mormon wonders. There was a sick child in that home. One who had been in bed with Tuberculosis for over a year. She listened to her brother’s stories and announced the fact that she wanted to be baptized when the Missionaries came. Overriding all objections, she was carried to the creek. As she came from the water, they stooped to again lift her. But, she said, "No, I can walk." From that day forth, she lead a normal life. Needless to say, this incident was impressive, and the mother made room in her heart and home for the Mormon Missionaries.


Three boys and four girls, and their mother embraced the Gospel, and a few found their way to the United States. One sister remained with her husband in New York. One sister and one brother were left in England, but the brother finally came to Canada.


On May 12, 1862, John, with his wife and three children, left England on the "William Tapscott". The trip across lasted seven weeks. All were sick, but John, who had to stay on his feet to act as nurse-maid. In New York, the family visited with John’s sister Ann, then came on West in Isaac Canfield’s Company. The trip across the plains took eleven weeks. The hardships were trying. Quoting from the son’s diary, we read: "Father was a good marksman, so we had some game. One night when we camped on the Platte River, he caught a fish that weighted 16 pounds, which was enough fish for the whole camp. We saw Indians. I will never forget the night we camped at Chimney Rock, Wyoming. It was in September, and it surely was a fierce night, but we had to go on through. The snow and cold killed on of the oxen."


"When we came to Kimball’s Ranch at the head of parley’s Canyon, we camped, and surely had a feast. They gave us bread and butter and nice sweet milk."


The valley was entered on October 16, 1862, and that night was spent camping on the square, where now stands our City and County Building. John’s brother, William, came next day and took the family to his home for a week.


In the fall of 1862, the family moved to Lehi, and John hired out as a farm hand. The next winter he took military training, and the family cares fell upon his wife, who was far from strong.


The last child, Albert, was born in 1865. While in Lehi, John buried his mother. In 1866, John returned to Salt Lake and went to the fort, where now is Pioneer Park. He worked for A. O. Smoot until he was able to buy his own land and build his own small house which still stands just east of the county hospital on 21st South.


John Wagstaff was a short, heavy-set-man, standing about five foot six inches, and weighing over 200 pounds. He was thrifty to the point of frugality. Proud of his independence. Never did he ask for charity. Always active in problems of the times, both religious and civil. There was his military training; and in the Church, he was a Counselor to the Bishop of Farmer’s Ward; and at his death held the office of patriarch. John died in Salt Lake City in 1901, at the age of 85. Truly could he say, with Jesus, "I have glorified thee on earth. I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do".