William Henry Kimball: Son of an Apostle, He Led 60 Wagon Loads of Willie Company Survivors to Safety

William Henry Kimball (April 10, 1826 – December 30, 1907) was born in Mendon, New York, the oldest son of Apostle Heber C. Kimball and Vilate Murray. He served a mission to England from 1854 to 1857, and was one of the 'Brigham's Boys' — an elite cadre of trustworthy men on call to serve whenever Brigham Young needed them.

In October 1856, Kimball was one of the first 29 men called by Brigham Young to rescue the handcart companies. He rode east into Wyoming with Captain George D. Grant's advance rescue party.

When the rescue party found the Willie Handcart Company near South Pass in late October, a critical decision was made: split the rescue operation. Kimball remained with the Willie Company — taking charge of 60 wagon loads of starving, freezing pioneers — to escort them west to the Salt Lake Valley, while Grant's group pushed further east in search of the Martin Company.

Kimball's leadership of the Willie Company rescue was decisive. By his own faith and physical endurance, he organized the battered company's march through deep snow, managed the distribution of supplies, and brought hundreds safely to the valley.

In later life, Kimball became a prominent Utah pioneer: Brigadier-General of the Utah Militia, Deputy U.S. Marshal, postmaster at Parley's Park (now Park City), discoverer of the first coal within 40 miles of Salt Lake City, and stage driver on the Salt Lake to Park City mail route — a route reportedly frequented by Mark Twain. His house and barn still stand at Kimball's Junction near Park City.