William was born March 3, 1854 at Stalybridge Lan-
cashire, England. He was a foreman in the Baldwin
Locomotive Works in England and also a bandsman
there. William Albiston first settled in Smithfield, Utah
after joining the L.D.S. Church with his family in
England. His wife, Elizabeth (Hargraves) Albiston was a
direct descendant of John Hargraves who invented the
spinning Jenny at the start of the industrial revolution in
England. Elizabeth was born July 20, 1852 at Holling-
wood, Lancashire, England.

When William came to Canada to find free land he
with his family came on the train to Lethbridge and then
to Cardston by stage coach. In due time he applied to
Charles O. Card for a homestead. Mr. Card sent him to
where Jefferson is now. He told him that if he took that
land there would some day be elevators there. William
complained at how rough the land was but he took the
S.E.t/4 of section 36, range 24 where he built a cabin.
Thomas, his son, took the NE.l/4 of Section 36, Range
24 where the elevators stand. Harry, another son, took
the NE'/4 of Section 28, Range 24 and afterward lost
this quarter.

William and Harry worked on the ditch at Kimball to
help keep 'the wolf from the door'. William played for
dances in the area, and once after they had been playing
at the Adams hall in Kimball, Will lost his base fiddle out
of the wagon. The old mare had put her hind feet through
it. This put an end to his musical career. Many of the old
timers will remember William's family for their musical
abilities.

One can only imagine how difficult it was to be raised
in a big city in England and then come this far to try to
make a living in a small community such as Jefferson, be-
ing many miles from Cardston.

Elizabeth died February 14, 1908 at Cardston.
William died March 30, 1914 in Frankberg, Alberta and
was buried there. He had been living, at the time, with his
daughter and son-in-law, Eda and Alex Campbell.

Their children are: Harry (name of spouse unknown),
Eda (married Alexander Campbell), and Thomas.

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