William Mackay: From Marshland to Orchard Rows

William Mackay (1860–1931)

Devoted Farmer, Orchardist, and Family Man of Early Granger

William Mackay, son of Thomas Mackay and his plural wife Sarah Franks, was born in 1860 into the early pioneer community of the Salt Lake Valley. At the age of 22, William married Margaret Ellen Park of Mill Creek on January 20, 1882. Margaret, born August 19, 1859, was the daughter of William Park and Mary Gordon. Though she suffered from deafness for much of her life, Margaret was known for her beauty, talent, and quiet strength. She was a devoted wife, mother, and true helpmate to William as they built a life together from the ground up.

Their first home was a humble log cabin located on 4100 South, about a quarter mile west of Redwood Road. When fire destroyed that first dwelling, the couple built again—this time constructing two large brick rooms, eventually adding three more as their family grew. They became the loving parents of nine children, raising them with faith, hard work, and strong pioneer values.

William’s farm, situated near 4100 South and 2700 West, was once marshy land that required significant effort to make arable. Together with his neighbor, Abraham Todd, William dug long drainage ditches by hand to reclaim a quarter section of farmland. These early years of farming were grueling, filled with long days and countless challenges. Yet William pressed on, helping to develop the major irrigation systems that would sustain Granger's agriculture for generations.

Known for his love of animals, William was especially gifted with horses—raising and training both buggy and racehorses, which were highly prized at the time. He also cultivated one of the first and finest orchards in Granger. Apples, pears, plums, cherries, currants, and gooseberries flourished under his care, and he often took his prized fruit to the state fair. One humorous but painful memory involved a cherished apple tree that bore only a few select apples he had planned to exhibit. During a visit from extended family, a group of eager young cousins unknowingly picked and ate the prized apples. William’s disappointment was deep—but the story became part of the family lore.

After 34 years of marriage, Margaret passed away on March 20, 1916, at the age of 57. William and the unmarried children kept the home going, with daughter Hilda stepping into the primary role of homemaker and caretaker. She remained by her father’s side for 17 years. When Hilda eventually married, William left the old homestead to live with her, spending the final two years of his life in her loving care.

Even in his later years, William remained active, raising chickens and rabbits, delighting in visits from his grandchildren. He would proudly show them the animals, then reach into his pocket for his long leather purse to hand out nickels, dimes, or pennies—much to their joy. Though his life was rooted in toil, William Mackay found great happiness in his home, his land, and his family. His quiet legacy of perseverance and gentleness continues to inspire the descendants of Granger’s earliest settlers.

Margaret Ellen Park Mackay (1859–1916)

A Quiet Strength: Homemaker, Healer, and Heart of the Home

Margaret Ellen Park Mackay, born August 19, 1859, in Mill Creek, Utah, was the daughter of William Park and Mary Gordon. She married William Mackay on January 20, 1882, and together they raised nine children—three daughters and six sons—on their farm in Granger. Margaret was a devoted wife, a loving mother, and the quiet strength behind a bustling pioneer household. Despite suffering from deafness throughout much of her life, she never allowed her challenge to limit her purpose. Her life was a testament to the truth that we should not let the “little” difficulties in life keep us from reaching our full potential.

Margaret’s love of home and family was evident in everything she did. Her hands were rarely still—cooking, canning, sewing, quilting, and tending to the endless needs of a large household. Her Sunday dinners were legendary, as she welcomed her married children back home around a table heavy with food and love. Neighbors and family often sought out her talents in the kitchen—especially when it came to wedding cakes, which she baked with both skill and care.

In summer, Margaret thrived—bottling fruit from their orchard, making jams, jellies, pickles, and chili sauce, and preserving every good thing the garden produced. She found joy in sewing and piecing quilts, filling her home with both warmth and beauty. But her work extended beyond her own walls. In times of sickness or sorrow, Margaret was known for quietly stepping in to offer comfort, sympathy, and help wherever it was needed. She was a neighbor in the truest sense—compassionate, dependable, and generous.

Margaret passed away on March 20, 1916, at just 57 years of age. Though her life was not long, it was rich with purpose and love. Her memory lives on in every stitch of her quilts, every treasured recipe, and in the values she passed on to her children and grandchildren—a legacy of service, resilience, and quiet grac

William and Margaret Park Mackay built a life of hard work, devotion, and quiet strength on the west side of the Salt Lake Valley. Together, they raised nine children on their farm near 4100 South and 2700 West—land they drained and cultivated by hand. William was known for his skill with animals, his fine orchard, and his contributions to local irrigation systems. Margaret, despite lifelong deafness, was the heart of the home—renowned for her cooking, quilting, and tireless service to family and neighbors. Their legacy is one of faith, labor, and love rooted deeply in Granger’s pioneer soil.