Dates

• Existence: 1832 - 1899

Biography

William Ajax (1832-1899) was a missionary, translator and editor for publications of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Wales and England, and owned and operated a store and inn in Utah.

William Ajax was born on March 13, 1832, in Llantrisant, Wales, to Thomas Truman Ajax and Rebecka Darcus. However,he was raised by William and Frances Maxwell, whom he considered to be his father and mother, instead of his birth parents. He was briefly educated as a child but eventually became a farm hand from the age of ten to the age of fifteen, abandoning his academic education. He worked for railroads and coal mines until he was twenty-two years old. In November 1853 William joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Soon after his baptism he was called to be a missionary in Wales.

In 1859 William was called to be a translator and editor for the Church's Welsh periodical, "Udgorn Seion." This began a period of self-education for William. He taught himself Greek, Latin, and French while also studying English and other subjects. In March 1861 he moved to Liverpool, England, to work on the "Millennial Star" publication staff. On August 6, 1861, William and Emma Jemima Hughes were married. Together they emigrated to Utah and arrived there on October 5, 1861. Over the years William and Emma had nine children together. In Utah, William ran a general store and operated a successful inn. By 1893, Ajax had stopped considering himself a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but he maintained positive feelings about members of the Church and religion in general.

William Ajax died on October 2, 1899, in Centre, Utah (also known as Ajax, Utah).

Citation:

Harold B. Lee Library, via WWW, March 3, 2015 (born on March 13, 1832 to Thomas Truman Ajax and Rebecka Darcus; not raised by his birth parents; instead he was raised by William and Frances Maxwell whom he considered to be his father and mother; briefly educated as a child; eventually became a farm hand from the age of ten to the age of fifteen, abandoning his acadmic education; He worked for railroads and coal mines until he was twenty-two years old; in November 1853 William joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; Soon after his baptism he was called to be a missionary in Wales; in 1859 William was called to be a translator and editor for the Church's Welsh periodical, "Udgorn Seion"; began a period of self-education for William; taught himself Greek, Latin, and French while also studying English and other subjects; March 1861 he moved to Liverpool, England, to work on the Millennial Star publication staff; August 6, 1861, William and Emma Jemima Hughes were married; they emigrated to Utah and arrived there on October fifth; ran a general store and operated a successful inn; died on October 2, 1899)

Family Search, via WWW, March 3, 2015 (William and Emma had nine children together; died in Centre, Utah.)

UPB files, March 6, 2015 (Ajax stopped considering himself a member of the Church, but maintained positive feelings toward the Church and other religions.)

Found in 2 Collections and/or Records: