Skip to main content

Leany, William, 1815-1891

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1815 - 1891

Biographical History

William Leany (1815-1891) was a pioneer for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and an early settler of southern Utah.

William Leany (or Laney) was born on December 19, 1815, in Franklin, Kentucky, to Culbert Means Laney and Margaret Cook. He was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1843 along with his twin brother, Isaac. Together they traveled with the Saints to Missouri and Illinois. William was married to Elizabeth Scearce on September 7, 1845, in Nauvoo, Illinois, and they had nine children together.

Leany and his family made the journey to Utah in 1847 in the Edward Hunter - Jacob Foutz Company, arriving in September that year. In the fall of 1850, Leany was called to help settle Parowan in southern Utah. The family eventually moved to Harrisburg where they raised grapes, cotton, and indigo. In 1870, Leany took a second wife, Mary Condie, and they had two children together, both of whom died as infants.

William Leany died on December 29, 1891, in Harrisburg, Utah.

Citation:
Find-a-grave.com, via WWW, July 30, 2018 (William Leany (or Laney). b. December 19, 1815, in Franklin, Kentucky, to Culbert Means Laney and Margaret Cook; baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1843 along with his twin brother, Isaac; together they traveled with the Saints to Missouri and Illinois; m. Elizabeth Scearce on September 7, 1845, in Nauvoo, Illinois; had nine children together; arrived in Utah in September 1847; in the fall of 1850, Leany was called to help settle Parowan in southern Utah; the family eventually moved to Harrisburg where they raised grapes, cotton, and indigo; in 1870, Leany took a second wife, Mary Condie, and they had two children together, both of whom died as infants; d. on December 29, 1891, in Harrisburg, Utah)

Pioneer Overland Travel website, on history.lds.org, via WWW, July 30, 2018 (made the journey to Utah in 1847 in the Edward Hunter - Jacob Foutz Company)

Found in 1 Collection or Record:

William Leany autobiography

 File — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 482
Scope and Contents

Contains a handwritten autobiography of William Leany. Includes a description of Leany's life and experiences as an early Mormon pioneer in Nauvoo, Illinois, his journey to Utah, and settling in southern Utah. Dated January 1888.

Dates: 1888 January
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / William Leany autobiography

Staff Interface | Send Feedback or Report a Problem

More information about Special Collections including Hours, Services, Events, and Exhibits can be found at lib.byu.edu/special-collections.

The BYU Library aims to create descriptions of collections that are inclusive and support an “environment of belonging.” If you encounter language in finding aids, catalog records, or collection descriptions that you find offensive or believe to be harmful, we invite your feedback at librarydescription@byu.edu.