This History of William Roper, I think was written By Oather Roper
William Roper
William Roper, third child of Henry Roper and Charlotte Elizabeth Mellor, was born 2 February 1861 at Lehi, Utah. When he was just over a year old the family was called to help settle the little community of Hogwallow in Sanpete County. The settlement was moved ‘in a couple of years and was established at Gunnison.
When they arrived in Hogwallow, William’s father made a dugout home for his little family on the south bank of the San Pitch River where they lived until a house was built in Gunnison.
Not much is known of the events in the early life of William, however his sister related one incident that perhaps had a lasting influence on his life’. One Sunday evening when William was a Deacon, for some reason he was the only member of his family attending evening meeting. As he approached the chapel some boys rode past on horses and threw a large rock at the door of the church. The rock broke through one of the panels. Meeting was just beginning and a member of the Bishopric ran out the back door and around the building, arriving at the front door just as William arrived. He grabbed the startled boy and dragged him into the church, demanding that he apologize for throwing the rock. He insisted he had not thrown the rock and that he did know the boys who did, but the Bishopric would not believe him. Highly embarrassed over the attention thus brought upon him and angered and hurt that no one would believe him, he decided he would never attend church again.
Boys were taught to work at a very early age in those days of hard work and long hours. William was the oldest boy in the family and as soon as he was big enough to be of help to his Father he began to help’ with the farm work. He grew to be independent and left home while yet young and worked at various kinds of construction work on roads and railroads.
He married Maria Wimmer , daughter of William and Sarah Curtis Wimmer on January 28,1886. He was 25 years of age. They moved to Vernal, Utah where three sons were born to them: William Henry Roper., 13 December 1886; Argyle Wimmer Roper, 2 September 1888 and Ross Edwin Roper 17 November, 1890.
William and Maria encountered marital difficulties and were divorced soon after their third son was born. Maria and her children moved back to her parents home. William was deeply hurt by this breakup of his family. He left the area and for many years herded sheep and did ranch work through Wyoming, Idaho and Montana.
William and two younger brothers formed a partnership and ran sheep and cattle in Idaho for several years. However, sheepmen and cattlemen do not mix well and they finally had difficulties and dissolved the partnership.
William was a great lover of the out-of-doors and developed the art of keen marksmanship with both rifle and pistol. Although he was not a very large man (he weighed about 135 pounds) he didn’t have a fear of man or beast. Especially was
this true when his anger was aroused. John N. Davis, an old sheep man from Vernal, related that while William was herding sheep for him, Mr. Davis had seen William kill several bear by waiting until the bear got close enough to raise up on his hind legs and open, his mouth, then William would shoot it in the mouth. This method always proved effective. I
He prided himself on having a fine team of horses and a good wagon and maintained a good camping outfit with equipment for cooking and a fine bedroll. In his later years he frequently returned to Utah to visit family members, not only his three sons but also brothers and sisters. Not wanting to impose on the families as he visited he would make his, bed in the wagon and sleep there during his visits.
His grandson, Oather Roper, Ross’ oldest son, recalls what happy times they had as children when their grandfather Roper would visit. William and his daughter-inlaw, Lacy got along well together and he always felt welcome at their home. He loved children, and having been deprived of the privilege of rearing His own children, he really enjoyed his grandchildren. William would take the children on his knees and sing them song after song. He frequently brought them treats and gifts. On one occasion he, brought Oather a wild pony which he had caught and broken so the children could ride him. On another occasion he brought a little poodle dog which the children loved.
William and Ross did some freighting together one year and hauled grain for the sheep men in the Ouray and Randelett area. William had worked there previously and was well acquainted. The children at the little school looked forward to his visit because he always brought them candy and peanuts. The children called him Uncle William. The schoolteacher obviously liked William and Ross asked him why he didn’t marry her. He said he wasn’t interested in being tied down; he enjoyed his life of freedom.
At an early age William acquired the habit of smoking tobacco and at times had been known to drink. In his later years he acquired a nagging cough, no doubt from the smoking, and began to experience bad health. Late in the year 1926 he was in Price and became very ill. Early in January he was able to get on the bus going
from Price to Vernal. When he arrived in Vernal he was so ill that Ross had to carry him from the bus. He lived with Ross and Lacy for the next few weeks. He knew he hadn’t long to live and he often talked to Ross about the mistakes he had. Made in his life and admitted it had been a mistake to estrange himself from the church. He wanted to live and promised Ross if his life could be spared he would repent and get his life in order. He passed away on February 24 1927, and was buried in the Rock. Point Cemetery in Vernal, Utah. He had just observed his 66th Birthday.
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