Caspar Bryner was born August 14, 1834 in Wiedekon, Zurich, Switzerland. His parents were Ulrich and Verena Wintsch Bryner. He was the sixth child of a family of seven children. In the year 1854, the family was converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They were baptized by Elder George Myers.
On January 25, 1855 Caspar and his sister Barbara left their home and native land to join with the first company of Saints to leave Germany to immigrate to Utah. Caspar was 20; his sister was 24.
In April, 1855, they set sail from Liverpool on the ship “Juvente” under the leadership of Elder William Glover. They arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on May 7, 1855. They arrived in Utah in the fall of 1855 in Richard Ballantine´s company. He and his sister walked all the way to Utah. He lived in Salt Lake City until 1858 when he was called by President Brigham Young to accompany Captain Joseph Horne south to “Dixie” to raise cotton.
Here they suffered many hardships in this hot barren country. There came a scourge of malaria fever; a dreaded affliction that caused much distress. One man in the company died. They gave him the best of care in preparing his body for burial. Having no lumber, they took a wagon box and made the best coffin they could. Then they cast lots to see who was to make the long journey alone to Salt Lake City with the corpse. It was Caspar who was chosen to go. He was a young man and when asked if he was afraid to go alone he replied, “I loved that man so much I could lie down on his casket and feel content.” At that time the Indians were bad but he felt safe as they were afraid of the dead. He made the trip in safety.
In 1859 he moved to Weber County and purchased a farm near where the present railway station now stands. He married Magdalena Gubler August 17, 1861. At October Conference, 1861, President Brigham Young again called him with Three hundred saints in company to build a city to be called St. George. Casper, his father Ulrich Bryner, John Mathis and Henry Gubler families were the only Swiss speaking people to be called to the 1861 company. They were all given their lots when surveyed. They were all located on the same block: 3rd West and 3rd South, St. George. They all stayed true to their calling and remained there until death.
Ulrich Bryner died March 1 1862. His body had to be moved the third time before the cemetery was properly located, he being the first man buried there.
It was December, 1861 when they arrived in St. George. They were helping to build the city of St. George before some even had shelter over their own heads.
Caspar was ambitious, a hard worker, thrifty and he prospered. He married Susanna Staheli as a plural wife on December 5, 1870 in the Endowment House in Salt Lake City.
His wives were united and helpful in every way. They helped on the farm until the boys were old enough to do the work. They were spiritually minded, thrifty, and industrious helpmates and real pioneers. They all helped in every way possible to build the church wars and school buildings which served both purposes in the early days.
There was also a Stake Tabernacle and a Temple to be built. Caspar and some other men went with President Brigham Young the time he went on the Black Ridge, west of St. George, Where he could get a perfect view of the St George valley and locate the sight for the temple. He chose the center of the valley and they all walked down the ridge and east to the sight. President Young said, “This is the place, it will some day be the center of the city of St. George.”
In 1880-81 Caspar went on a mission to Switzerland, his native homeland. Abraham H. Cannon was his companion. He became ill and returned home sooner than usual. While on the mission two of his children passed away.
In 1884 he was chosen a High Counselor in the St. George Stake and was set apart to that position By Apostle Francis M. Lynn. He held this position many years.
He was a prosperous farmer and had a farm in Toniquent, Clara and Washington fields. He built two nice homes, two granaries with good storage cellars beneath, and a barn and stables for his animals. He was proud of his horses and animals. He was a good provider, was liberal to the needy, and had many friends. He was honest and dependable and faithfully labored in the interest of the Church and for the benefit of the human family.
He was the father of fifteen children. He had ten sons and five daughters.
Caspar Bryner died April 10, 1914.
Magdalena died Feb. 18 1894
Susanna died Oct. 9, 1925.
All are buried in St. George.