In the spring of 1858, Thomas Steed and Laura Reed Steed were forced to move south because of the threat of the Johnson Army invasion. Here in Mona, Utah in a covered wagon on May 29, Walter William was born. In early manhood, he established a home in Farmington, Utah where he prospered and was the first in that community to have indoor plumbing. He encouraged cultural activities and his home was a center for good music and other wholesome recreation.
Later he pioneered Northern Davis County. Here he drilled the first artesian well on the Ridge and was the first to build a fence around the property. He exerted a great influence in the building of irrigation reservoirs and canal systems to restore the desert land. His interest in real estate and livestock expanded until he operated hundreds of acres of farming land, herds of sheep and cattle. Along with his real estate interests, he was also connected with mercantile, canning and banking concerns. His was an active life and today there are many material monuments which will remain indefinitely to honor his memory.
He believed firmly in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He labored in many positions in the Church and was a member of the Davis Stake High Counsel for thirty years. Nine of his children have served as missionaries, also a number of his grandchildren.
His was a busy life. He worked early and late, planned diligently and wisely and toiled earnestly. His earthly activity was brought to a sudden tragic close by an automobile accident January 1, 1940 in his eighty-second year.
