William Prows facts for kids

William Cook Prows (born June 11, 1827 – died May 3, 1894) was an early Mormon leader and American settler. He might have been the first person to find gold at the Comstock Lode. This discovery led to a huge rush of mining in the mid-1800s.

Who Was William Cook Prows?

William Prows was born in 1827 in what is now West Virginia. His father, Thomas Prows III, was the son of a soldier from the American Revolutionary War. His mother, Eleanor Kountz, came from a Dutch family. William also had family roots in New England.

Early Adventures

In 1829, William's family moved to Ohio. Then, in 1831, they moved to Indiana. In Indiana, the Prows family learned about Mormonism. They wanted to move to Nauvoo, Illinois, where many Mormons lived.

In 1841, William, his parents, and some siblings joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Sadly, his mother Eleanor died in 1842. His father then married Charity Arms, who became a mother figure for William's younger siblings. William and his family faced many challenges in Nauvoo between 1842 and 1846.

In 1846, William's father left the Mormon faith. But his stepmother, Charity Arms, decided to move west with the other Mormons. Nineteen-year-old William stayed with her. He promised to help her on the long journey to Utah.

Joining the Mormon Battalion

At this time, the United States was at war with Mexico. In July 1846, military leaders asked the Mormons to form a volunteer group. This group would help with the war efforts for the Mexican–American War. Brigham Young, a Mormon leader, agreed to help.

Soldiers who joined were paid $42 for a uniform. William saw this as a chance to earn money for his stepmother. This money would help her prepare for her trip to Utah. William joined the group, which became known as the Mormon Battalion.

A Record-Breaking March

The Mormon Battalion is special in U.S. military history. It was the only religious military unit. It also holds the record for the longest march in U.S. military history. William Prows served in Company B.

The Battalion marched from Nebraska all the way to San Diego, California. Then they went on to Los Angeles. After one year of service, William was released in Los Angeles in July 1847. The Mormon Battalion never fought in a battle during the Mexican-American War.

Discovering Gold!

After his military service, William and other Mormon Battalion veterans traveled to what is now Sacramento, California.

The California Gold Rush

In 1848, William was working at Sutter's Mill on the American River. He was among the group of veterans who found gold there. This discovery started the famous California Gold Rush!

The Comstock Lode

Soon after, William left California to go to Utah. During his journey, it is said that William Prows was the first person to find gold at the Comstock Lode. This was another very important gold discovery. Another person, Abner Blackburn, is also mentioned as a possible first discoverer.

Life in Utah and Mexico

In 1851, William married Lodesky Roberds. They returned to California for the Gold Rush. By 1857, William and three of his brothers had earned $15,000 each from mining gold. They decided to start a business in Sonoma County, California. But the business failed, and they lost their money.

William decided to go back to Utah. He wanted to live among other Mormons and practice his religion. In Utah, William became an important early Mormon leader. He was one of the people who helped found Fillmore, Utah.

In 1868, William married a second wife, Louisa Rowena James. She was part-Cherokee and had joined the church earlier. William was a cooper (someone who makes barrels) like his father. But he mostly earned a living by farming and raising animals. He lived in Kanosh, Utah for many years.

Later in his life, William decided to move his family to Colonia Juárez, Mexico. This was a colony started by Mormons. They moved there to live their religion freely. William arrived in Mexico with his families in 1894. Soon after arriving, he became sick and died in Colonia Juárez on May 24, 1894.