Son of John Gurney and Mary Beales

Married Julia Jean, 22 Jun 1858, Lehi, Utah, Utah

Children - William Francis Gurney, Mary Elizabeth Gurney, Julia Ann Gurney, Caroline Gurney, John Roland Gurney, George Albert Gurney, Eliza Gurney, Emma Adelaide Gurney, Arthur David Gurney, Matilda Ruth Gurney, Alfred Isaac Gurney, Melissa Pearl Gurney, Leah Gurney, Arletta Gurney

Married Sarah Hughes, 14 Mar 1870, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah

Children - Sarah Ann Gurney, Eliza Jane Gurney, Arthur David Gurney, Charles Gurney, Jesse Samuel Gurney, Leah Gurney, Sarah Gurney, Orin Isaac Gurney, Sophia Elizabeth Gurney

Married Charlotte Osgood, 19 Jan 1905, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah

History - William Gurney, son of John and Mary Bales Gurney, born in Bedfordshire, England, August 8, 1834. When about 10 years of age he lost the dearest friend on earth, his mother, and was cared for by a loving sister.

When he was about 15 years old, two Mormon Elders came to the village where he lived preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. After hearing these Elders explain the principles of the Gospel, he was baptized, March 1, 1853. He was baptized by David Mathews. He was ordained a Deacon the same year.

He emigrated from England on March 12, 1854. Was delayed at Liverpool one month. Set sail from there on the ship Marshfield, April 8, 1854. He was seven weeks on the ocean. In the company with 36 saints under Captain Wm. Taylor. Landed at New Orleans May 28, 1854. Continued his journey up the Missouri River to St. Louis, but was not allowed to land on account of cholera on board the ship but was landed seven miles below the city on an island. They continued their journey and landed near Kansas City, June 16, 1854. Here they found another company of Saints who had cholera among them. Thus united were exposed to the disease.

While witnessing many who had been stricken down with the dreaded disease he was continually praying to the Lord that he would spare his life that he might continue his journey to the Land of Zion. His prayers were answered. It was this place they fitted out for crossing the plains and after a long and dreary journey, they finally landed in Salt Lake City, October 1854, and camped on the bench where the 20th Ward is now located.

After remaining in Salt Lake for some time he came to Lehi, where he soon made many friends. After remaining in Lehi about four years he became acquainted with Miss Julia Janes who soon after became his wife and to them were born eleven children to enrich their lives. Soon after he married Miss Sarah Hughes whom also bore him eight children.

In the early days of Lehi, he was chosen to assist in the Sabbath School work and was a faithful worker in the Sunday School cause. In connection with James Taylor, Wm. Yates, Bishop Fjeld, and others he worked in the Sunday School from its earliest history to the time of his death.

He was also chosen councilor to Wm. Yates in the organization known as the acting teachers of the ward. He was afterward chosen its president, which office he held at the time of death. In this office. He was a valiant worker and performed his labors, therein such as visiting among the people, administering to the sick and encouraging them in the principles of the gospel to the best of his ability.

He was a member of the 68th Quorum of Seventies and was one of the Presidency of the quorum for many years, having the love and respect of the brethren in the quorum. He was a valiant worker in the cause of truth from the time he first embraced the gospel until the time of his death.

Always ready and willing to perform the labors assigned to him by those in authority to the best of his ability. He was called upon to witness many hard and trying scenes in the early history of Lehi, but has never allowed any thing to weaken his faith in the Lord.

He married Charlotte Mathews on January 19, 1905. He was the husband of three wives. All of them he married in the Temple of the Lord. Two of whom preceded him to the great beyond.

He was the father of 19 children, 12 of whom were left to morn his loss. He had 36 grand children at that time and 4 great grand children.

His greatest aim in life was to set example for his posterity worthy for them to follow. He was 70 years, 7 months, and 16 days old at the time of his death. He died early on the morning of March 25, 1905.

He died as he had lived, full of faith in the gospel and with full hope of the glorious resurrection.

True to his wives.
True to his children.
True to his country.
True to his God.