Dates

• Existence: 1834 - 1911

Biographical History

William Clinton Martindale (1834-1911) was a pioneer, rancher and community leader in the settlement of the West.

On July 10, 1834 in Greensfork, Wayne County, Indiana, William Clinton Martindale was born into the home of William Addington Martindale and Mahalia Stigleman. Just 6 years later, his parents were divorced as a result of his father's conversion to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his mother's refusal to accept that belief. In 1852, William Clinton, often referred to as just Clinton, pioneered west with his father and was sent to settle Grantsville, Tooele County, Utah. He established himself as a reputable rancher in the area and cared well for his family's property as his father served many missions. Known well for his musical talent, William Clinton became the first choir director in the county. On May 5, 1854 he married Matilda Jane McMurray of Pennsylvania and together they had 12 children.

After 24 years in Grantsville, William moved his family to Goose Creek, Cassia County, Idaho which was later renamed Oakley. One of his daughters resided in Goose Creek and, in writing, spoke of the beauty to her father. In 1879 William came to see for himself and upon arriving envisioned a future for the land. Due to his report and encouragement, a branch was established in Goose Creek the following year and William Clinton Martindale was called to be its President. In addition to ranching there, he allowed school and church to be held on his very property and even served a term as a representative to the Territorial Legislature of Idaho.

William Clinton Martindale practiced polygamy as an obedient member of his church. He was married to Mary Bagley, who would bear to him eight additional children, in addition to a few other women who bore no children. In the 1880s raids of the Latter-day Saints, William Clinton was given 6 months in the territorial penitentiary for his polygamous practices.

On 9 July 1911, William Clinton Martindale died and was buried in Oakley, Cassia, Idaho.

Citation:

UPB files, Dec. 8, 2017 (William Clinton Martindale, b. July 10, 1834 in Greensfork, Wayne County, Indiana, to William Addington Martindale and Mahalia Stigleman; Mother left family due to father's conversion to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)

Pioneer Histories of William Clinton Martindale, via WWW, Dec. 11, 2017 (William Clinton Martindale; came west with father 1852; William Clinton was sent to settle in Grantsville, Tooele County, Utah; reputable rancher; first choir director in the county; both he and his father were known for their singing talent; May 5, 1854 married Matilda Jane McMurray of PA; they had 12 children; moved after 24 years in Grantsville to Goose Creek, Cassia County, Idaho; daughter Mathilda lived in Goose Creek and wrote him about the beauty; 1879 came to visit and envisioned the future of that land; 1880 branch was established in Goose Creek and he was made the President; began to ranch there; held school and church on his property; served a term as a representative to the Territorial Legislature of Idaho; married a second wife, Mary Bagley, who would bear to him eight additional children; served a six month sentence in the territorial penitentiary during the Raid on the Latter‐day Saints in the 1880s; 9 July 1911 Oakley, Cassia, Idaho, United States)

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