History of James Thompson Lisonbee

Pioneer of 1854
Author: Unknown
Source: Camp, Alma DUP Histories, J-N, Monroe, Sevier Co., Utah
Copied: January 16, 1997 by Ann Marie Nielsen Bridges

James Thompson Lisonbee, son of Coker Lisonbee and Mary Calaham. Born at Pickins [sic] County, Alabama Nov. 15, 1839. Came to Utah in 1854 and located in Springville where he was baptized August 27, of the same year by James R. Ivie. He was ordained a member of the 51st quorum of the seventies May 25, 1857. He was married to Ellen Amelia Johnson in 1861 of Springville. He was called to go to the Missouri river as teamster to bring emigration the following year 1862. He volunteered to go again for the same purpose. In 1865 he went to Sevier and Sanpete Counties to help protect the people from the Indians, and was an officer in the Black Hawk Indian war. In 1870 he was one of the workmen on the Provo woolen mill building. In the spring of 1871 he moved to Monroe. There he labored diligently in the interest of the new settlement. He spent much time clearing and breaking up farm land.

He moved to Annabelle in the spring of 1873 and filed on new land. He lived in a dugout for sometime, later building a log room, where he lived until late in the fall without floor, door, or window.

In 1874 he was called to go back to Monroe, where he was ordained Bishop of Monroe by Joseph A. Young the President of Sevier Stake. He was also appointed President of the United Order.

At April Conference in 1876 he was called on a Mission to preach the Gospel, and in obedience to the call started for the Southern States May 30, of the same year. He left Mother with six of us children to care for. He spent 18 months in the mission field and was released on account of poor health. He was so anxious to stay and fill his mission, that he stayed there six months after he received his honorable release.

He suffered many hardships traveling without money/ Many times he was notified by a mob to leave a certain district. His diligent labors resulted in about 30 members being added to the Church.

He arrived in Springville November 28, 1877, where he met his wife and children. He took sick with pneumonia on the first of Dec. And died on the 9th, in hiss 38th year. He was buried in Springville.

Elder John Morgan was one of his missionary companions and he said that “He was one of the most spiritual minded men he ever knew.”