William Theodore Thompson was born March 18, 1842 in Liverpool, England....just one day after the 
Relief Society of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints was organized. He was the son of David 
and Ann Wilby Thompson.

Susan Allen was born August 16, 1845 in Rotherham, Yorkshire, England, a daughter of Leonard and 
Mary Linley Allen. Susan and William were married June 12, 1864. No one knows how they met, but Susan had a sister Jane who married Henry Blackner. Henry was missionary for the LDS Church, so it is supposed that he introduced them to each other and was instrumental in their baptism and eventually coming to Utah. William Theodore was baptized a member of the LDS Church April 15, 1874, and Susan was baptized the next day April 16, 1874.

Legend has it that William left home at a very young age and got a job as a cabin boy on a merchant ship. Sometime later, he was able to purchase his own ship, and thus became a Merchant Seaman. When William and Susan decided to come to America, they sold everything they had, including their ship, and set sail for America April 19, 1879 on the Ship "Wyoming." According to the ship's log, the ship had unloaded its cargo and set sail back to England May 24, 1879. William and Susan together with their three surviving daughters must have arrived at the New York Harbor some few days before May 24th. 

Life in England must have been very trying and sorrowful for William and Susan. Four of their children who were born in England died at a very young age. Henry died at age 2 months, Mary Ann died at age 10 years, Martha died and age 4 years, and Richard died at age 3 months. Three other children who were born in England survived and came to America with their parents namely; Jane age 9, Susan age 4, and Grace age 2. Six more children were born after they arrived in Greenville, Beaver, Utah: James, who was born July 28, 1879, just two months after their arrival, then Rosetta, William Theodore Jr., Lawrence, Florence, (they were twins), then David Leonard, making a total of 13 children in all. Eveyone of the surviving children lived to maturity. 

William Theodore and Susan Thompson lived the rest of their lives in Greenville, also their children lived there until after they were adults. William, having been a freighter most of his life, now was engaged in the freight business once again. This time though, it was overland via horses and wagons. The railroad had been completed from Salt Lake City to Milford during that time, so many farmers throughout the area supplemented their incomes by hauling freight from the rail-head at Milford to the surrounding communities. In turn, they hauled hay, grain and other produce to the mining towns in Western Beaver County. They also purchased some farming land in Greenville where they raised hay and grain for their livestock. William accumulated a herd of cattle, which he grazed each summer in the Bear Valley and Buckskin area between Beaver and Panguitch. He taught his four sons to handle horses and other livestock at a very young age.

William was a very independent and proud man, and seldom asked for any help. On one occasion, he went to nearby Beaver Mountains with his team and wagon to get a load of poles. After getting his load of poles, he began his journey back down the steep canyon toward home. At a point just above Casey's Hill, he became stuck in the river bottom as he attempted to cross it. Since it was late, he unhitched the team and rode one horse home while leading the other. As he passed through the town of Beaver, some of his friends saw him and asked what happened. He told them that he had become "BOGGED," sounding the long O, as they do in England. After that, some of his friends called him "BOGEY THOMPSON," and at the spot where he got stuck still goes by the name of "THOMPSON'S HOLE."

William and Susan were hard workers. They were hones God fearing people, and they did a fine job of raising their family. Every single child turned out to be fine citizens. They were not only loyal to their country, but to their parents as well. Truly they were brave pioneers and played an important role in the settling of Eastern Beaver County. They left a legacy that shall never be forgotten. Their names are mentioned in the book "Monuments of Courage," also some of their church history may be found in the microfilms of early Beaver County. 

Susan Allen Thompson died in Greenville, Utah July 7, 1908, and William Theodore Thompson died January 10, 1911 in Greenville, Utah. They are both buried in the Greenville Cemetery.