the difference between owners and architects

Owner


Architect

William Jennings was the client behind such Salt Lake buildings as the Eagle Emporium and the Devereaux House. The architect on both projects was William Paul, father-in-law to Jennings. I think the difference in their graves illustrates quite well the difference between owners and architects...money.

Both graves are in sight of each other in the Salt Lake City Cemetery. Seeing as how the two William's were family and worked on multiple projects together, it is likely that Paul also designed the Jennings family grave as well. Paul's daughter, Priscilla, was the second and plural wife to Jennings and was buried with her wealthy husband. It is said that Jennings was the first millionaire in Utah, making his fortune with the Eagle Emporium mercantile store. He later became fully invested into the ZCMI co-op at the convincing of Brigham Young, and used his store as the location of the first ZCMI store. Later in his life, Jennings would become mayor of Salt Lake City.

On the 80th birthday of William Paul, a grand celebration was given at his home and the evening was covered in the Deseret News the next day:

"The features of the evening's enjoyment, after the excellent supper, was the warm, genial, and sociable family conversation, running back to many experiences in both the old and new worlds. These were of deep interest to the junior branches, and the congratulations and short speeches from Father Paul and his sons in rotation, then from his Hon. Mayor Wm. Jennings; also H.W. Naisbitt and P. Brookes, sons-in-law, then from J. Jacques and D. James, were indicative of high esteem and appreciation of the good example Father Paul has always set for industry, temperance, kindness, usefulness as a citizen, and fidelity as a Latter-day Saint. Fervent hopes were expressed that even this long life might be further lengthened until, like a shock of corn fully ripe, he shall be gathered with those who have gone before into the garner of the Lord." (Deseret Evening News, 3 May 1883)

He died five-and-a-half years later.

As for William Jennings, as one of the most prominent citizens of the Utah Territory, his death saw flags flying at half mast in the city.

"He worked his way up from the smallest of business beginnings until he was a banker, a railroad magnate, a chief co-operative manager, a leader in numerous enterprises of magnitude, a manufacturer and a millionaire. His shrewdness and foresight, his originality of thought and independence of character, were manifest in all his affairs and were used for public benefit when he officiated as a legislator, as Mayor of this city and as a leading citizen interested in all that tended to promote the general welfare. A kind husband and father, a large-hearted and hospitable entertainer, a friend to the poor, a genial, approachable and companionable man, he will be greatly missed in the community, and he will be mentioned with kindly feelings and general esteem." (Deseret News, 20 Jan 1886)

So maybe there is really no difference between owners and architects after all...