Janet Thomson Born: March 15, 1809; Kilmarnock, Scotland Married: John Lyon Died: January 16, 1895; Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah

Janet Thomson was born March 15, 1809 in Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, Scotland. She was the daughter of Robert Thomson and Janet Lamont. When she was sixteen years old, she met John Lyon, then twenty-two years old. The young couple was married February 23, 1826 in Kilmarnock.

John and Janet became the parents of twelve children, six boys and six girls. Their children all were born in Kilmarnock.
 

John and Janet named their sixth son after Franklin D. Richards because of their great friendship and high regard for Elder Richards. John also dedicated some of his writings to Elder Richards.

In 1844, the Lyon family heard Elder William Gibson preach the doctrines of Mormonism, and, being convinced of their truth, were baptized into the church in March of that same year.

On February 21, 1853, John and Janet and five of their children, Annie, age 21, John, age 18, Lillias, age 16, Matthew, age 10, and Mary age 8, put their luggage on board ship. John slept that night on board ship to protect their belongings. They sailed from Liverpool to New Orleans on board the ship "International." It was commanded by Captain David Brown, with a crew of 26 and a company of 419 members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, under the presidency of Elders Arthur, Lyon and Waddington.

The ship did not sail until February 28, 1853 because of unfavorable weather. The wind was from the northeast which made it favorable for sailing, so they were "tugged" out by a steamer for twenty miles and were on their way to a new country and a new way of life. They encountered the usual early spring storms and at times conditions were very difficult with many being ill.

After arriving, they stopped in New Orleans for four days, then started in two companies to St. Louis. The Lyons traveled on the "Leah Tunah" which carried them up the Mississippi River.

John and his family immediately began preparations for crossing the plains. After twenty-eight days of preparation in the camp, fifty Saints under the command of John Lyon left Keokuk on Thursday, June 2. About sundown they had a heavy storm of thunder, lightening and rain which continued all night. It rained through the tents and wagon covers. The spring of 1853 had brought higher creeks and rivers "than was ever known since white men" had come to the area.

After twenty-nine continuous travel days, the Gates Company wearily rolled into Council Bluffs on June 30th. The two-week stay in Council Bluffs provided the necessary rest for bodies to rebuild themselves, sore feet to recover, and provisions to be readied.

They arrived in Salt Lake City on Friday, September 26, 1853 with the Jacob Gates Company.

They made their home in the Twentieth Ward where they purchased a full block between First and Second Avenue and F and G Streets. They had two homes on the block with a large stable.

Three years after coming to the Salt Lake Valley, John married Caroline Holland. They became the parents of seven children.

John died at the age of 86 on Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 1889. He was survived by his two wives. Janet died January 16, 1895, in Salt Lake City.

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