WASHINGTON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Washington County, Utah)
RICHARD I. BENTLEY
(early resident, merchant, and mayor in St. George)
BIOGRAPHY
Richard Bentley was born in England in 1820.He came from England to Nauvoo in 1843 and then crossed the plains from Council Bluffs Iowa to Salt Lake City in the early 1850s. From there he went to Carson City which at that time was part of the Utah Territory. Returning to Utah, he lived in Nephi during the Indian troubles.
He went on a mission to England in 1860, returning to Salt Lake City on November 3, 1864.
He was offered a load of merchandise by his nephew, the husband of his neice, by the name of William S. Godbe, if he would take Godbe's place as a pioneer to Utah's Dixie. Godbe was doing to well in business affairs to give it up and answer the call of President Brigham Young. Hence his offer to Richard to go as his substitute. Richard's diary relates the following regarding this incident:
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"Since I had no job here, I was glad to go, as I could set myself up in the mercantile business in the City of St. George.
Elder Orson Pratt, who had been released from the Dixie Mission, was glad to trade his newly erected adobe home
to me for my adobe one in Salt Lake City.
In a short time, I was on my way with my family and merchandise to set myself up as a pioneer merchant,
and with prospects of a new home awaiting our arrival.
My eldest son, Oscar, was a lad of fourteen so he could easily manage one of the outfits.
Upon our arrival we found a commodious two-story house, located across from the store and office,
and I found that I was the first merchant in the city of St. George.
I continued in this business until 1875, when my son-in-law, Edwin G. Woolley,
with two associates, set up the Woolley, Lund and Judd Mercantile Institution.
They bought me out, giving me credit on their store for value received."
[This store was on St. George Blvd. (75 N. Main) as late as 1977.] [1877 Woolley Lund & Judd ZCMI] |
Emma Demeba (married Edwin Dilworth Woolley Jr.)
Mary Lavinia (married Edwin Gordon Woolley)
William Oscar (married Mary Ann Mansfield)
Annie Elizabeth (married Thomas Nelson Terry)
Franklin Richards (married Marion Benbow Carter)
Joseph Charles (married Margaret McKean Ivins, Gladys Woodmanfee, and Maude Taylor)
After the death of Elizabeth, Richard married Hannah Cox Welch.
Upon arriving in St. George, he opened a general store. For many years, he was the only merchant in St. George, retiring from business in 1878. Bentley served as mayor of St. George from April of 1877 to 1882 and again from 1888 to April 12, 1990.
He died in March 24, 1906 at his home in St. George. He left a wife, 6 children, 40 grandchildren, and 10 great grandchildren.
PHOTOS
Photo of Richard Bentley while on his mission to England, about 18611872 photo of Richard Bentley, trustee of the St. George Normal School
REFERENCES
Richard Bentley's obituary from the Deseret News, March 24, 1906Richard Bentley's obituary from the Inter Mountain Republican, March 25, 1906
Richard Bentley's obituary from the Salt Lake Herald, March 25, 1906
Find-A-Grave entry for Richard Bentley
Find-A-Grave entry for Elizabeth Price Bentley