Happy Birthday John

John Bennion was probably the most famous relative we have on the Hodgkinson side.  He played a prominent role in politics in the Salt Lake Valley and was a large land owner.  He formed the city of Bennion, which was later named Taylorsville.  John was born on July 9, 1820.  Here is an excerpt from his autobiography about his family and his early years. 

"My father, after his marriage, changed his labors from a servant hired by the year to a day laborer at which he continued two or three years, having now saved a little money, he took a small farm to rent in the town ship of Moor in Hawarden Parish where he procured a comfortable livelihood for about twenty years; had about twelve acres of land for raising hay, grain, vegetables and pasture, besides a garden and orchards. While my mother had her health they increased in property so that when she was taken sick in the year 1823 of the dropsy, which sickness increased upon her. Also a few months before her death she had a stroke of palsy by which she lost the use of one side so that she had to be carried about in a chair. Her affliction increased until on May 1, 1830, she departed this life and was buried in the same grave with grandfather and grandmother Bennion in Hawarden Churchyard. She raised four children, Mary, born at Moor Lane 25th of August, 1817; Samuel, born at Moor Lane December 11, 1818; John, born at Moor Lane July 9, 1820; Elizabeth, born at Moor Lane January 10, 1822. At the death of mother my sisters became housekeepers for father, which part they performed up till my father left for America. Samuel left home at the age of twelve years [latter part of 1835]; went to Uncle William to learn the baking business. I went to school when I could be spared until about fourteen years of age. When fifteen and at home it was dull prospects for farmers; my father thought it for the best top put me to learn a trade and engaged me to Mr. Rigby and Company, to boilermaking, where I stayed only about one year [Latter part of 1836], at which time I left home and employ to go I knew not where, but I was determined to leave home."