John R. Young (1837-1931) -- 1847 Pioneer Extraordinaire
Above image from: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c6/The_Kirtland%2C_Ohio_Temple.jpg
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John R. Young came to Utah in 1847...after his family had been driven from their home in Nauvoo. Being among the first emigrants, he suffered many of the hardships common to pioneer life beginning with the trek across the plains (in the Jedediah M. Grant Co.) when he was a boy of 10 years.
In 1862 he assisted in bringing a company of emigrants across the plains, and again, in 1863, was captain of a Danish train of emigrants. He was present at the Santa Clara flood when the town was swept away, and was credited with saving the life of Jacob Hamblin. He filled two missions to the Sandwich Islands and one to England, and helped colonize more than ten communities of this state including Blanding, where he had his home the latter part of his life. He played an active part in Indian uprisings, having led the posse which rescued James Blythe and Ira Hatch, two Utah residents, from the Navajo Indians in early days in southern Utah. Mr. Young became noted for his ability to tell interesting stories and when he related his experiences, whether in Nauvoo, crossing the plains, or of pioneer life in Utah, he never failed to hold the attention of his hearers, old and young. In his later life he lectured to many church groups and at public gatherings. He also wrote his memoirs, in which he recorded many of the dramatic incidents of his life. When he returned from his first mission to the Sandwich Islands he thought some of going back to California to study law, but Brigham Young advised him to look around, find a good girl, get married and make himself a home in Utah. This advice he took and on New Year's Day, 1859, he and Albina Terry were married. Later he married Lydia Knight, Tamar J. Black and Catherine Coles as plural wives. Mr. Young died in Provo at the age of 94, leaving 10 sons and daughters, 125 grandchildren, 150 great-grandchildren and 11 great-great-grandchildren. He was buried in the family plot in Blanding cemetery. Source: Utah, Our Pioneer Heritage |
John R. Young had five daughters by three separate wives. Two died from complications of childbirth. Daughter May experienced many tragedies and her life is insightful in understanding her father.
Link to "The Life of Mary (May) Whipple Young" by Luana Porter Bunnel, granddaughter. |
Link to "Summary of John R. Young's Life" by Church Historian Andrew Jenson. |
The Wives and Children of John R. Young...
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Check out this Special Story of Catherine Coles |
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