William Wallace Damron, a short time resident of the old Heber City Fort

By Jerry Duke

Heber Valley Heritage Foundation

William Wallace Dameron(KWJZ-7VK) was born March 23, 1833 in Dresden, Weakley, Tennessee the son of John Damron and Sarah Elizabeth Shultz. According to John Crook’s Journal, a primary Wasatch County source, William was one the adventurous souls who spent the winter of 1860-61 in the old Heber Fort. The journal lists his last name as Dameron, but it should be spelled Damron.

This was so in spite of him and his mother being listed as a resident of Salt Lake’s Ninth Ward in the 1860 U. S. Census. One might be recorded on the census in one location and then move to a new location. That happened for my own great grandfather, Robert Stone Duke, with the 1860 census. Apparently, William relocated with his mother to Heber City before the winter of 1860. Two of his brothers, Joseph and George, were already in the valley and were recorded in the census as residents. William’s brother George had a son born in Heber City on August 11 of 1860. Sarah, William’s mother died according to at least one source in Charleston, Utah in 1861, and is buried in a now lost gravesite near that location. FamilySearch lists a 1862 death date for Sarah from Salt Lake City, but with no source. The Dameron family disappeared in Wasatch County History, quickly, with some of the family previously marrying and going their separate ways and others who had made a home in Heber Valley moving further south in the Utah Territory. They weren’t in Wasatch County long enough to make any real impact except for their being residents of the old Heber City Fort.

John Damron, William’s father, was born May 19, 1791, in Russell, Virginia. In 1813, he was living with his family in Illinois where he married fourteen year-old Sarah Elizabeth Shults. The exact date of the marriage is not recorded and subject to dispute. Their first child, daughter Sussana, was born in February of 1817. In FamilySearch there is an excellent short history and slide presentation about Sarah contributed by Maurine C. Nuttal. It describes the movements of this family from Illinois to Tennessee and then on to Missouri and finally a difficult and arduous trek to Texas. During these years, ten children were born to this couple. William was a middle child, number seven. Given child mortality at the time it’s amazing that all of these children survived to adulthood..

This pattern of migration was not unusual in 19th century America. Author and newspaperman, Horace Greeley, is credited with the statement, “Go west young man” . The fact is that from the end of the Revolutionary War to the time of his words that perhaps was more of an observation than words of advice. The allure of the frontier with its free land or almost so because of the minimal cost for hundreds of acres of government lands was significant. American historian Fredrick Jackson Turner toward the end of the century put forth a thesis that the American Frontier had been the driving force in the national character, a rather bold statement, but at least a good, partial explanation for the fierce individualism and optimism of the American spirit. One could just move on to new and better things and not be stuck in the past. One could make their own way.

The family made their home in the Republic of Texas one year before statehood was granted and while the War with Mexico was still on going. It was a harsh environment with dangerous wild hogs, hostile Indians, and persistent lawlessness. John Damron was active in local government and became a county judge and helped establish the county seat of Henderson County. He unexpectedly died in early 1856. His death date is not well documented and some believe he died in late 1855. The missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day-Saints were active in Texas in 1855 and met with the Damron family. Apparently there were heated discussions among the family. The older, married children generally were not favorable toward the church, but Sarah and the children from George down all joined and received baptism.

They immigrated to Utah with the Homer Duncan Company beginning in May of 1857, and arriving in the Salt Lake Valley on September 14.

Shortly after arriving, he married Martha Jane Allphin (KZ7B-8C8) in March of 1858. Her parents were Israel Dodge Allphin and Burnetta Collings. The Allphin’s also traveled to Utah from Texas at an earlier date. FamilySearch lists the marriage as having taken place in Fillmore, Utah, but I think this is a mistake. I believe it took place at or near Salt Lake City. His second marriage was in Fillmore even though FamilySearch says it was in Thatcher, Arizona. I believe some of these entries are just guesses and very poor guesses as well. Martha died in 1859, having had no issue. William was a single man aged twenty-seven when he lived in the old fort with his mother.

The year 1860 was a very busy one for William. He moved from Salt Lake to Heber City, witnessed the death of his mother in early 1861 in Charleston, Utah and then was in Fillmore, Utah on May 09, 1861 where he married Hester Elizabeth Ray(KWJZ-7V2) the daughter of John Alexander Ray and Mary Wingo Young, again Texas expatriates. I think my mother impressed upon my mind this phrase, “Birds of a feather flock together.” The date and place of this marriage has been changed in FamilySearch as often as there are days in a month. I believe the marriage was in 1861 at or near Fillmore, Utah, but that date seems a little early. His obituary in Arizona says that he was married to Hester in Fillmore in the year 1851. That’s an obvious mistake. A source for that date is needed. Perhaps someone has the real date and can post one that’s reliable. There is way too much information in FamilySearch that is not documented.

William and Hester lived in Millard County, Utah for over twenty years where they farmed and William taught school. The 1870 census placed them in Kanosh, Millard, Utah and the 1880 in Deseret, Millard, Utah. The 1870 U.S Census is a little troubling for William is both in Kanosh and in San Bernardino, Ca. The first with his family and the second as an individual living near his older brother, John Damron. John and his family had moved from Texas to California. It’s likely that William spent time in both places that year. Comparing those two census entries opens up other questions about family dynamics that I don’t care to bring up here.

William’s civic side blossomed in Arizona and his obituary explains his contributions to Graham County, Arizona. “He emigrated to Arizona arriving at Pima on November 25, 1883 when the valley was but a desert wilderness. Since his arrival he engaged in farming, merchandising, and teaching school besides holding a number of public offices the duties of which he faithfully and satisfactorily discharged. For ten years he held the position of postmaster of Thatcher. He was elected county treasure in 1888 and again in 1890. He was elected probate judge in 1892 and again in 1896 which position he occupied at the time of his death and his name appears on the Democratic ticket as the regular nominee for the same office at the coming election. Brother Damron was married in 1851 to Hester Elizabeth Ray at Fillmore, Millard County, Utah. Eleven children have blessed this union of whom nine are still living to comfort the mother in her hour of trial. Brother Damron has been a faithful and earnest worker in the cause of our religion and passed away beloved by all both rich and poor of the last. It may be said he followed the divine teaching, ask and ye shall receive, and many a family has reason to rise and bless his name.” His marriage year is 1861 and not 1851.

William Wallace Damron died on October 2, 1898 in Thatcher, Arizona following a short illness.

Wives of William Wallace Damron

Martha Jane Allphin

When Martha Jane Allphin was born on 3 March 1844, in Payson, Adams, Illinois, her father, Israel Dodge Allphin, was 29 and her mother, Burnetta Collings, was 25. She married William Wallace Damron Sr in March 1858, in Fillmore, Millard, Utah. She died on 30 December 1859, in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, United States, at the age of 15, and was buried in Salt Lake City Cemetery, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah.

Hester Elizabeth Ray

When Hester Elizabeth Ray was born on 25 March 1844, in Carrollton, Carroll, Mississippi, her father, John Alexander Ray Sr., was 26 and her mother, Mary Wingo Young, was 18. She married William Wallace Damron Sr on 9 May 1861, in Fillmore, Utah. They were the parents of at least 9 sons and 4 daughters. She lived in Fillmore, Millard, Utah in 1860 and Safford, Graham, Arizona, United States in 1900. She died on 24 September 1924, in Thatcher, Graham, Arizona at the age of 80, and was buried in Thatcher Cemetery, Thatcher, Graham, Arizona.

Children of William Wallace Damron and Hester Elizabeth Ray

Mary Matilda Damron was born on 6 September 1863, in Fillmore, Millard, Utah, her father, William Wallace Damron Sr, was 30 and her mother, Hester Elizabeth Ray, was 19. She married Martin Mortensen on 18 May 1886, in Central, Graham, Arizona. They were the parents of at least 1 daughter. She lived in Deseret, Millard, Utah in 1880. She died on 23 May 1887, in Central, Graham, Arizona at the age of 23, and was buried in Thatcher, Graham, Arizona.

John Milton Damron was born on 20 August 1865, in Hatton, Millard, Utah his father, William Wallace Damron Sr, was 32 and his mother, Hester Elizabeth Ray, was 21. He married MaryAnn Luella Cluff on 13 December 1905, in Solomon, Graham, Arizona. They were the parents of at least 3 daughters. He lived in Safford, Graham, Arizona in 1900. He died on 27 January 1939, in Thatcher, Graham, Arizona at the age of 73, and was buried in Thatcher Cemetery, Thatcher, Graham, Arizona.

Roger Damron was born in 1866, in Thatcher, Graham, Arizona, his father, William Wallace Damron Sr, was 33 and his mother, Hester Elizabeth Ray, was 22.

Luke Damron was born in 1868, in Thatcher, Graham, Arizona, his father, William Wallace Damron Sr, was 35 and his mother, Hester Elizabeth Ray, was 24.

William Wallace Damron Jr. was born on 13 November 1868, in Fillmore, Millard, Utah, his father, William Wallace Damron Sr, was 35 and his mother, Hester Elizabeth Ray, was 24. He married Mary Elizabeth Garner on 6 June 1889, in Central, Graham, Arizona. They were the parents of at least 3 sons and 2 daughters. He lived in Deseret, Millard, Utah, United States in 1880 and Safford, Graham, Arizona, United States in 1900. He died on 6 August 1909, in Thatcher, Graham, Arizona, United States, at the age of 40, and was buried in Thatcher Cemetery, Thatcher, Graham, Arizona.

Olla Louisa Damron was born on 5 April 1872, in Kanosh, Millard, Utah, her father, William Wallace Damron Sr, was 39 and her mother, Hester Elizabeth Ray, was 28. She married Oscar Francis Webster on 30 January 1894, in Thatcher, Graham, Arizona. They were the parents of at least 3 sons and 4 daughters. She lived in Central, Graham, Arizona, for about 10 years and Supervisorial District 2, Graham, Arizona, in 1940. She died on 23 June 1960, in Thatcher, Graham, Arizona, at the age of 88, and was buried in Central Cemetery, Central, Graham, Arizona.

Joseph Vernon Damron was born on 14 April 1874, in Kanosh, Millard, Utah, his father, William Wallace Damron Sr, was 41 and his mother, Hester Elizabeth Ray, was 30. He married Armelda Ferguson on 17 November 1903, in Thatcher, Graham, Arizona. They were the parents of at least 5 sons and 4 daughters. He lived in Arizona, in 1912 and Supervisorial District 2, Graham, Arizona, in 1940. He died on 8 March 1941, in Thatcher, Graham, Arizona at the age of 66, and was buried in Thatcher Cemetery, Thatcher, Graham, Arizona.

Theodore Eugene Damron was born on 8 November 1876, in Kanosh, Millard, Utah, his father, William Wallace Damron Sr, was 43 and his mother, Hester Elizabeth Ray, was 32. He married Harriet Henson Moody on 25 December 1902, in Thatcher, Graham, Arizona. They were the parents of at least 6 sons and 4 daughters. He lived in Supervisorial District 2, Graham, Arizona in 1940. He died on 14 January 1961, in Thatcher, Graham, Arizona, at the age of 84, and was buried in Thatcher Cemetery, Thatcher, Graham, Arizona.

Elzy Stockton Damron was born on 3 January 1879, in Kanosh, Millard, Utah, his father, William Wallace Damron Sr, was 45 and his mother, Hester Elizabeth Ray, was 34. He married Emma Gertrude Naylor on 25 July 1912, in Thatcher, Graham, Arizona. They were the parents of at least 3 sons and 3 daughters. He lived in Deseret, Millard, Utah, in 1880. He died on 16 July 1930, in Thatcher, Graham, Arizona, at the age of 51, and was buried in Thatcher Cemetery, Thatcher, Graham, Arizona.

Ellen Nellie Damron was born on 24 March 1881, in Deseret, Millard, Utah, her father, William Wallace Damron Sr, was 48 and her mother, Hester Elizabeth Ray, was 36. She married Harry Clifford White on 25 August 1907. They were the parents of at least 2 sons and 2 daughters. She lived in Clifton, Greenlee, Arizona, for about 10 years and Supervisorial District 1, Greenlee, Arizona, in 1940. She died on 15 May 1966, in Santa Monica, Los Angeles, California, at the age of 85, and was buried in Clifton Catholic Cemetery, Clifton, Greenlee, Arizona.

Hester Elizabeth Damron was born on 12 April 1883, in Deseret, Millard, Utah, her father, William Wallace Damron Sr, was 50 and her mother, Hester Elizabeth Ray, was 39. She married James Edmond Young on 25 July 1912, in Graham, Arizona. They were the parents of at least 1 son. She lived in Safford, Graham, Arizona, United States in 1900 and Pima, Graham, Arizona. She died on 8 November 1953, in Thatcher, Graham, Arizona, at the age of 70, and was buried in Thatcher Cemetery, Thatcher, Graham, Arizona.

Ray Damron was born on 11 April 1886, in Central, Graham, Arizona, his father, William Wallace Damron Sr, was 53 and his mother, Hester Elizabeth Ray, was 42. He died on 9 August 1886, in his hometown, at the age of 0, and was buried in Central Cemetery, Central, Graham, Arizona.

George A Damron was born on 15 June 1887, in Central, Graham, Arizona, United States, his father, William Wallace Damron Sr, was 54 and his mother, Hester Elizabeth Ray, was 43. He married Flossie Letta Jones on 15 December 1907, in Solomon, Graham, Arizona, United States. They were the parents of at least 3 sons and 8 daughters. He lived in Clifton, Graham, Arizona, in 1910 and Hachita, Grant, New Mexico, United States in 1920. In 1933, his occupation is listed as retired as supervisor of production for city of Tucson water utility. in Tucson, Pima, Arizona. He died on 13 January 1960, in Tucson, Pima, Arizona, at the age of 72, and was buried in Tucson, Pima, Arizona.