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  2. Church Officers in Iowa Territory, September 1839–January 1841

Church Officers in Iowa Territory, September 1839–January 1841

An October 1839 general conference of the church approved the organization of a
branch

An ecclesiastical organization of church members in a particular locale. A branch was generally smaller than a stake or a conference. Branches were also referred to as churches, as in “the Church of Shalersville.” In general, a branch was led by a presiding...

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of the church in
Iowa Territory

Area acquired by U.S. in Louisiana Purchase, 1803. First permanent white settlements established, ca. 1833. Organized as territory, 1838, containing all of present-day Iowa, much of present-day Minnesota, and parts of North and South Dakota. Population in...

More Info
.
1

Minutes and Discourses, 5–7 Oct. 1839.


By early 1841, the branch in Iowa was referred to as a
stake

Ecclesiastical organization of church members in a particular locale. Stakes were typically large local organizations of church members; stake leaders could include a presidency, a high council, and a bishopric. Some revelations referred to stakes “to” or...

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.
2

“To Saints Abroad,” 24 May 1841, Times and Seasons, 1 June 1841, 2:434.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.

 
Presidency
On 5 October 1839, a general conference of the church appointed
John Smith

16 July 1781–23 May 1854. Farmer. Born at Derryfield (later Manchester), Rockingham Co., New Hampshire. Son of Asael Smith and Mary Duty. Member of Congregational church. Appointed overseer of highways at Potsdam, St. Lawrence Co., New York, 1810. Married...

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as president of the
Iowa

Area acquired by U.S. in Louisiana Purchase, 1803. First permanent white settlements established, ca. 1833. Organized as territory, 1838, containing all of present-day Iowa, much of present-day Minnesota, and parts of North and South Dakota. Population in...

More Info
branch

An ecclesiastical organization of church members in a particular locale. A branch was generally smaller than a stake or a conference. Branches were also referred to as churches, as in “the Church of Shalersville.” In general, a branch was led by a presiding...

View Glossary
.
3

Minutes and Discourses, 5–7 Oct. 1839.


At a meeting held on 19 October 1839,
Reynolds Cahoon

30 Apr. 1790–29 Apr. 1861. Farmer, tanner, builder. Born at Cambridge, Washington Co., New York. Son of William Cahoon Jr. and Mehitable Hodges. Married Thirza Stiles, 11 Dec. 1810. Moved to northeastern Ohio, 1811. Located at Harpersfield, Ashtabula Co.,...

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and
Lyman Wight

9 May 1796–31 Mar. 1858. Farmer. Born at Fairfield, Herkimer Co., New York. Son of Levi Wight Jr. and Sarah Corbin. Served in War of 1812. Married Harriet Benton, 5 Jan. 1823, at Henrietta, Monroe Co., New York. Moved to Warrensville, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, ...

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were appointed as Smith’s counselors.
4

Iowa Stake Record, 1839–1841, 7–8.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Iowa Stake, Record. / Iowa Stake. “Church Record,” 1840–1841. CHL. LR 7817 21.

Smith, Cahoon, and Wight acted as the presidency of the church in Iowa for the rest of the period through January 1841.
5 October 1839 31 January 1841
President President
John Smith

16 July 1781–23 May 1854. Farmer. Born at Derryfield (later Manchester), Rockingham Co., New Hampshire. Son of Asael Smith and Mary Duty. Member of Congregational church. Appointed overseer of highways at Potsdam, St. Lawrence Co., New York, 1810. Married...

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John Smith

16 July 1781–23 May 1854. Farmer. Born at Derryfield (later Manchester), Rockingham Co., New Hampshire. Son of Asael Smith and Mary Duty. Member of Congregational church. Appointed overseer of highways at Potsdam, St. Lawrence Co., New York, 1810. Married...

View Full Bio
Counselors
Reynolds Cahoon

30 Apr. 1790–29 Apr. 1861. Farmer, tanner, builder. Born at Cambridge, Washington Co., New York. Son of William Cahoon Jr. and Mehitable Hodges. Married Thirza Stiles, 11 Dec. 1810. Moved to northeastern Ohio, 1811. Located at Harpersfield, Ashtabula Co.,...

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Lyman Wight

9 May 1796–31 Mar. 1858. Farmer. Born at Fairfield, Herkimer Co., New York. Son of Levi Wight Jr. and Sarah Corbin. Served in War of 1812. Married Harriet Benton, 5 Jan. 1823, at Henrietta, Monroe Co., New York. Moved to Warrensville, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, ...

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High Council
On 5 October 1839, a general conference of the church appointed twelve men to serve as a
high council

A governing body of twelve high priests. The first high council was organized in Kirtland, Ohio, on 17 February 1834 “for the purpose of settling important difficulties which might arise in the church, which could not be settled by the church, or the bishop...

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in
Iowa Territory

Area acquired by U.S. in Louisiana Purchase, 1803. First permanent white settlements established, ca. 1833. Organized as territory, 1838, containing all of present-day Iowa, much of present-day Minnesota, and parts of North and South Dakota. Population in...

More Info
.
5

Minutes and Discourses, 5–7 Oct. 1839.


On 4 January 1840,
George Pitkin

16 May 1801–26 Nov. 1873. Sheriff, farmer, teacher. Born in Hartford, Windsor Co., Vermont. Son of Paul Pitkin and Abigail Lothrop. Moved to Hiram, Portage Co., Ohio, by 1820. Sheriff of Portage Co. Married first Amanda Egglestone, 8 Feb. 1829, in Portage...

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replaced
Edmund Fisher

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on the council.
6

Iowa Stake Record, 1839–1841, 15.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Iowa Stake, Record. / Iowa Stake. “Church Record,” 1840–1841. CHL. LR 7817 21.

In July 1840,
Wheeler Baldwin

7 Mar. 1793–11 May 1887. Farmer, cobbler, clergyman. Born in New York. Married first Mary Porter, 12 Jan. 1812, in Schoharie, Schoharie Co., New York. Served in War of 1812. Lived in Broome, Schoharie Co., New York, 1820. Moved to Strongsville, Cuyahoga Co...

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,
James Newberry

29 May 1791–10 July 1880. Farmer. Born in Warwick, Orange Co., New York. Son of John Newberry and Jemima Benedict. Married first Mary Smith, 24 Aug. 1811. Moved to Brownhelm, Lorain Co., Ohio, by 1830. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints...

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, and
John Badger

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replaced council members Richard Howard,
Elias Smith

6 Sept. 1804–24 June 1888. Teacher, printer, postmaster, bookkeeper, probate judge, newspaper editor. Born in Royalton, Windsor Co., Vermont. Son of Asahel Smith and Elizabeth Schellenger. Moved to Stockholm, St. Lawrence Co., New York, 1809. Baptized into...

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, and
Stephen Chase

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, respectively.
7

Iowa Stake Record, 1839–1841, 6.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Iowa Stake, Record. / Iowa Stake. “Church Record,” 1840–1841. CHL. LR 7817 21.

5 October 1839 31 January 1841
Asahel Smith

21 May 1773–22 July 1848. Farmer. Born at Windham, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire. Son of Asael Smith and Mary Duty. Moved to Dunbarton, Hillsborough Co., New Hampshire, 15 Apr. 1774; to Derryfield (later Manchester), Hillsborough Co., New Hampshire, 1778;...

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Asahel Smith

21 May 1773–22 July 1848. Farmer. Born at Windham, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire. Son of Asael Smith and Mary Duty. Moved to Dunbarton, Hillsborough Co., New Hampshire, 15 Apr. 1774; to Derryfield (later Manchester), Hillsborough Co., New Hampshire, 1778;...

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David Pettegrew

29 July 1791–31 Dec. 1863. Farmer. Born in Weathersfield, Windsor Co., Vermont. Son of William Pettegrew and Phoebe. Married Elizabeth Alden. Moved to Cincinnati. Master Mason of Harmony Masonic Lodge, Oct. 1820, in Cincinnati. Moved to Kelso, Dearborn Co...

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David Pettegrew

29 July 1791–31 Dec. 1863. Farmer. Born in Weathersfield, Windsor Co., Vermont. Son of William Pettegrew and Phoebe. Married Elizabeth Alden. Moved to Cincinnati. Master Mason of Harmony Masonic Lodge, Oct. 1820, in Cincinnati. Moved to Kelso, Dearborn Co...

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John Burk

4 Feb. 1793–8 June 1853. Innkeeper, farmer. Born in Fairfield, Herkimer Co., New York. Son of Charles Burke and Esther Robinson Bohannon. Married first Abigail Fellows, 13 Mar. 1821, in Fairfield. Moved to Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio, by 1823. Baptized into...

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John Burk

4 Feb. 1793–8 June 1853. Innkeeper, farmer. Born in Fairfield, Herkimer Co., New York. Son of Charles Burke and Esther Robinson Bohannon. Married first Abigail Fellows, 13 Mar. 1821, in Fairfield. Moved to Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio, by 1823. Baptized into...

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Elijah Fordham

12 Apr. 1798–9 Sept. 1879. Carpenter. Born at New York City. Son of George Fordham and Mary Baker. Married first Jane Ann Fisher, 23 Nov. 1822. Married second Bethiah Fisher, 12 Apr. 1830. Lived at Pontiac, Oakland Co., Michigan Territory, 1831–1833. Baptized...

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Elijah Fordham

12 Apr. 1798–9 Sept. 1879. Carpenter. Born at New York City. Son of George Fordham and Mary Baker. Married first Jane Ann Fisher, 23 Nov. 1822. Married second Bethiah Fisher, 12 Apr. 1830. Lived at Pontiac, Oakland Co., Michigan Territory, 1831–1833. Baptized...

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Abraham O. Smoot Abraham O. Smoot
Edmund Fisher

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George Pitkin

16 May 1801–26 Nov. 1873. Sheriff, farmer, teacher. Born in Hartford, Windsor Co., Vermont. Son of Paul Pitkin and Abigail Lothrop. Moved to Hiram, Portage Co., Ohio, by 1820. Sheriff of Portage Co. Married first Amanda Egglestone, 8 Feb. 1829, in Portage...

View Full Bio
Richard Howard
Wheeler Baldwin

7 Mar. 1793–11 May 1887. Farmer, cobbler, clergyman. Born in New York. Married first Mary Porter, 12 Jan. 1812, in Schoharie, Schoharie Co., New York. Served in War of 1812. Lived in Broome, Schoharie Co., New York, 1820. Moved to Strongsville, Cuyahoga Co...

View Full Bio
Elias Smith

6 Sept. 1804–24 June 1888. Teacher, printer, postmaster, bookkeeper, probate judge, newspaper editor. Born in Royalton, Windsor Co., Vermont. Son of Asahel Smith and Elizabeth Schellenger. Moved to Stockholm, St. Lawrence Co., New York, 1809. Baptized into...

View Full Bio
James Newberry

29 May 1791–10 July 1880. Farmer. Born in Warwick, Orange Co., New York. Son of John Newberry and Jemima Benedict. Married first Mary Smith, 24 Aug. 1811. Moved to Brownhelm, Lorain Co., Ohio, by 1830. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints...

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Willard Snow

6 May 1811–21 Aug. 1853. Farmer. Born in St. Johnsbury, Caledonia Co., Vermont. Lived at Waterford, Caledonia Co., by 1820. Son of Levi Snow and Lucina Streeter. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Orson Pratt, 18 June 1833. Moved...

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Willard Snow

6 May 1811–21 Aug. 1853. Farmer. Born in St. Johnsbury, Caledonia Co., Vermont. Lived at Waterford, Caledonia Co., by 1820. Son of Levi Snow and Lucina Streeter. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Orson Pratt, 18 June 1833. Moved...

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John Patten

14 Apr. 1787–12 Mar. 1847. Physician, farmer. Born in New Hampshire. Son of Benoni Patten and Edith Cole. Married first Abigail Stiles, 5 May 1810, in Vermont. Wife died, 19 Sept. 1821. Married second Hannah Ingersol, 25 Apr. 1824, in Greene Co., Indiana....

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John Patten

14 Apr. 1787–12 Mar. 1847. Physician, farmer. Born in New Hampshire. Son of Benoni Patten and Edith Cole. Married first Abigail Stiles, 5 May 1810, in Vermont. Wife died, 19 Sept. 1821. Married second Hannah Ingersol, 25 Apr. 1824, in Greene Co., Indiana....

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Erastus Snow

9 Nov. 1818–27 May 1888. Farmer, teacher, merchant, publisher, manufacturer. Born at St. Johnsbury, Caledonia Co., Vermont. Son of Levi Snow and Lucina Streeter. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by William Snow, 3 Feb. 1833, at Charleston...

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Erastus Snow

9 Nov. 1818–27 May 1888. Farmer, teacher, merchant, publisher, manufacturer. Born at St. Johnsbury, Caledonia Co., Vermont. Son of Levi Snow and Lucina Streeter. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by William Snow, 3 Feb. 1833, at Charleston...

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Stephen Chase

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John Badger

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Bishopric
On 5 October 1839, a general conference of the church appointed
Alanson Ripley

8 Jan. 1798–before 1860. Surveyor, lawyer. Born at New York. Son of Asa Ripley and Polly Deforest. Married Sarah Finkle. Resided in Massachusetts, 1827. Member of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Ohio. Participated in Camp of Israel expedition...

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as
bishop

An ecclesiastical and priesthood office. JS appointed Edward Partridge as the first bishop in February 1831. Following this appointment, Partridge functioned as the local leader of the church in Missouri. Later revelations described a bishop’s duties as receiving...

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in
Iowa Territory

Area acquired by U.S. in Louisiana Purchase, 1803. First permanent white settlements established, ca. 1833. Organized as territory, 1838, containing all of present-day Iowa, much of present-day Minnesota, and parts of North and South Dakota. Population in...

More Info
.
8

Minutes and Discourses, 5–7 Oct. 1839.


After Ripley moved to
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

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in summer 1840, he was replaced by
Elias Smith

6 Sept. 1804–24 June 1888. Teacher, printer, postmaster, bookkeeper, probate judge, newspaper editor. Born in Royalton, Windsor Co., Vermont. Son of Asahel Smith and Elizabeth Schellenger. Moved to Stockholm, St. Lawrence Co., New York, 1809. Baptized into...

View Full Bio
.
9

Elias Smith was appointed as bishop of the Iowa branch on 12 July 1840. (Iowa Stake Record, 1839–1841, 6.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Iowa Stake, Record. / Iowa Stake. “Church Record,” 1840–1841. CHL. LR 7817 21.

By 19 December 1840,
Joseph B. Noble

14 Jan. 1810–17 Aug. 1900. Farmer, miller, stock raiser. Born in Egremont, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of Ezekiel Noble and Theodotia Bates. Moved to Penfield, Monroe Co., New York, 1815. Moved to Bloomfield, Ontario Co., New York, ca. 1828. Baptized...

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and Joseph Meacham Jr. had been appointed as counselors to Smith.
10

Nashville, IA, Branch Minutes, 19 Dec. 1840, Elias Smith, Papers, CHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Nashville, IA, Branch Minutes, 19 Dec. 1840. Elias Smith, Papers, 1834–1846. CHL. MS 7062, fd. 6.

5 October 1839 31 January 1841
Bishop Bishop
Alanson Ripley

8 Jan. 1798–before 1860. Surveyor, lawyer. Born at New York. Son of Asa Ripley and Polly Deforest. Married Sarah Finkle. Resided in Massachusetts, 1827. Member of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Ohio. Participated in Camp of Israel expedition...

View Full Bio
Elias Smith

6 Sept. 1804–24 June 1888. Teacher, printer, postmaster, bookkeeper, probate judge, newspaper editor. Born in Royalton, Windsor Co., Vermont. Son of Asahel Smith and Elizabeth Schellenger. Moved to Stockholm, St. Lawrence Co., New York, 1809. Baptized into...

View Full Bio
Counselors
Joseph B. Noble

14 Jan. 1810–17 Aug. 1900. Farmer, miller, stock raiser. Born in Egremont, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of Ezekiel Noble and Theodotia Bates. Moved to Penfield, Monroe Co., New York, 1815. Moved to Bloomfield, Ontario Co., New York, ca. 1828. Baptized...

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Joseph Meacham Jr.
  1. 1

    Minutes and Discourses, 5–7 Oct. 1839.

  2. 2

    “To Saints Abroad,” 24 May 1841, Times and Seasons, 1 June 1841, 2:434.

    Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.

  3. 3

    Minutes and Discourses, 5–7 Oct. 1839.

  4. 4

    Iowa Stake Record, 1839–1841, 7–8.

    Iowa Stake, Record. / Iowa Stake. “Church Record,” 1840–1841. CHL. LR 7817 21.

  5. 5

    Minutes and Discourses, 5–7 Oct. 1839.

  6. 6

    Iowa Stake Record, 1839–1841, 15.

    Iowa Stake, Record. / Iowa Stake. “Church Record,” 1840–1841. CHL. LR 7817 21.

  7. 7

    Iowa Stake Record, 1839–1841, 6.

    Iowa Stake, Record. / Iowa Stake. “Church Record,” 1840–1841. CHL. LR 7817 21.

  8. 8

    Minutes and Discourses, 5–7 Oct. 1839.

  9. 9

    Elias Smith was appointed as bishop of the Iowa branch on 12 July 1840. (Iowa Stake Record, 1839–1841, 6.)

    Iowa Stake, Record. / Iowa Stake. “Church Record,” 1840–1841. CHL. LR 7817 21.

  10. 10

    Nashville, IA, Branch Minutes, 19 Dec. 1840, Elias Smith, Papers, CHL.

    Nashville, IA, Branch Minutes, 19 Dec. 1840. Elias Smith, Papers, 1834–1846. CHL. MS 7062, fd. 6.

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