William Galbraith Brown and his twin, Pratt Orson Brown, were born on Jan. 17, 1905 in Colonia Morelos, Sonora, Mexico. His mother, Jane Bodily Galbraith, was born in Kaysville, Utah on April 2, 1879 and his father Orson Pratt Brown, was born in Ogden City, Utah on May 22, 1863. Colonia Morelos was a Mormon colony of polygamists that had migrated from the United States in order to keep the families together when polygamy became illegal in the United States. However, Orson did not become a polygamist until he married Jane in Colonia Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico on 28th of March 1897.
William's father Orson moved his families to various colonies, depending on his callings in the church, so the family did not stay in one place too long. He was a rancher, and had large land holdings. He also served as a sheriff.
William and Pratt were extremely close and did everything together. They were bright, energetic children and played together constantly.
In 1912, The Latter-day Saints were given 24 hour's notice by Pancho Villa's General Blanco to leave Mexico or fight. Mother Jane and her children were living on Petacachi Ranch, which is between Morelos and Douglas, Arizona.
Jane packed up what goods she could on a horse driven wagon, loaded her children on top, and began the trek back to the United States. On August 13, 1912 a wagon wheel hit a chuck hole, and 7 year old William Galbraith fell and was crushed to death by the hub of the wheel. Ronald, the eldest, unhitched a horse and rode back for help. Jane telegrammed from Douglas, New Mexico to Orson in El Paso regarding this tragedy. He instructed her to bury little William next to Bessie and then to meet him in El Paso. Grief stricken, Jane returned to Colonia Morelos to bury her son next to the grave of Elizabeth Graham Madonald Webb Brown (OPB's third wife), then resumed her journey to meet her husband Orson Pratt Brown.
Minutes of meeting held in El Paso, Texas, in continuation of yesterday's session of the Juarez Stake Relief Committee, Juarez Stake Presidency, High Councillors, Bishops and leading Brethren, 32 present [August 14, 1912]:
"Whilst in this meeting Bro.O.P. Brown received a dispatch from Douglas, announcing the death of his son Galbraith by accident yesterday [August 13, 1912] as the family were fleeing to the United States for safety. The wagon had tipped over, crushing the boy under one of the wheels and twisting the foot of his older son, so that he [Grant] had to walk with crutches. Despite all this, Bro. Brown felt that "there are times when a man's duty to his fellows is greater than to his family," hence he was here."
Sources:
PAF - Archer files = Orson Pratt Brown + Jane Bodily Galbraith > William Galbraith Brown
Compiled by Lucy Brown Archer
Photo of William Galbraith Brown and Orson Pratt (Pratt Orson) Brown, August 1905, eight months old, donated by Martha Brown Davis. (Enhanced and repaired by Lucy Archer)
Copyright 2001 www.OrsonPrattBrown.org
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WILLIAM GALBRAITH BROWN 1905-1912
