James Healey

Emory Clarence Smith's Maternal Great Grandfather

James Healey

James Healey was born 10 Apr 1824 in Heanor, Derbyshire, England. He was the son of Thomas Healey and Mary Eggleshaw. His family was very poor; he started working in the coalmines when he was eight years old. He would open and shut the doors as the donkey passed through with their loads. He would enter the mine before daylight and leave after dark, never seeing the sun for years, except on Sunday.
He married Elizabeth Smith the same year his father died.
He was converted to the faith of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and sought to establish a home in Utah, where he arrived in 1854, having crossed the plains with the Job Smith Company. The family settled in Alpine the following year and in 1855 took up land and began farming.
James was married in 1855 to Mary Carisle in Alpine, Utah.
They were active in all the pioneer work there and contributed much to the early development and improvement of the section in which they lived. James was a high priest of the church and also a teacher.
In the fall of 1850, ten or twelve families settled in Alpine. Alpine was first called Mountainville, but sometimes referred to as Lone City.
The early settlers lived in wagons and dugouts until they could build houses. A rich black soil covered the area of Utah Valley. Hay, grain, corn, potatoes and later fruit grew in abundance. John Healey (his brother) grew a fruit orchard of peaches and strawberries on the east slope of the present cemetery.
The social life in this little community was very outstanding. Very frequently dances were held. They would dance until eleven o’clock, and then have recess. Eight or ten couples would go to different homes and have lunch, and later return and dance until two or three o’clock in the morning. Some of the most high classed plays have been produced in Alpine and people come from other communities to see them.
When the branch of the church was organized in 1852, it was decided that the meeting would be held in the home of James Healey. The children sat on the floor between fireplace and the benches and the adults sat on the benches. When the people became too numerous to meet in one room, it was decided to erect a new meetinghouse in 1863. For twenty-five years this building was used as a place of worship.