The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-07-12
Obituary.
DEATH OF THE PATRIARCH JOHN SMITH.
IErom the Ies.Ial NA4a MAY 1a


[From the Deseret News, May 2S
The knen for the departure Of one mighty spirit
has hardly ceased sounding in our ears, ere we are
called upon to announce the departure Of another
anble spirit, who has laid down frai body TO lest
awhile, and passed behind the veil to shake hands
and rejoice with his brothers Joseph, Asahel and
5las; hia nsphews, Joseph and Hyrum, and The
JOHN SMITH, Patriarch of the Church of Jesus
ChIst of Latter Day SAINTS after q illness of
month, died at his residence in this city, at ten
minutes past II o'clock P. M., on the 23d inst.
Father Smith was born in Derry6eld, (uow Man.
lhe-ter,) Rockingham county, New Hampshire on
he I4th Of July, A. D. l7sl, and was baptised into
he iaith which has so leng preserved his life in
gefnlress, the 9Th of January, 1882 and or,lan-
u an Elder, after having been given up by the doc
orb to die Of consumption. The weather was so
old that the Toe had to be cut, and from that time
e gained health and strength.
In 1883 he moved to Kirkland, Ohio, and In 1888
o Par West CALDWELL county, Missouri, and thence
70 Adam-or d. Altman, in Davies county, where
lepresided that branch OF the church until
,elled by the mob in 1889, and arrived in Illinois
IA the 18th of February of that year. He located at
Green Plains, six mills from Warsaw, where he put
q q crop Of corn, split rails and performed much
lard labor unsuited to his health and years, but
obliged to be done for the support Of bis family.
a June he moved to Commerce, (snce Nauvoo) and
" the 4th Of October was appointed to preside over
he Church in Iowa, and on the 18th moved to Lee
opnty &, fulfil that mission.
October, 184s, he moved to Macedonia, Hancock
ounty, Illinois, having been appointed to preside
ver The Saints in that place. In Jsbnary, 1874 he
vas ordained Patriarch, and in November Of that
'ear, was driven by mobbers from Macedonia to
- where be continued to administer Patri-
wings, to the JOY Of thousands, until The
NruaTy, 1886, when he was compelled
ioience of the fire. and sovereign State
again leave his home and cross The
IT'D his family, In search Of peaceful
III mid savages and deserts In the val
fountains.
sing dreary winter on the right bank
eouri, Ut place called Winter Quarters,
as.sn took up the weary OK train march on the
tn Of June, lel7, and reached this place September
3D. where he presided over the church in the noun.
aims until January lst ls49, when be was ordained
atriaIch over the Church under the hands of Pre-
dents Brigham Young and Hrber G. Kmball.
He moved out Of the Fcrt TO b city lot, February
$40, and this Is the only spot on which he has
cen privileged IN cultivatea garden two years in
recession Cor the last twenty three years.
In addition 10 o vast amount Of varied and Ell
ent aid to thousands In the way Of salvation during
long and faithful ministry, be administered Ave
rlion 1--WE hundred and sixty patriarchal bleesings
-ehich Are recorded In seven large and closely
rtten books, and has closed the arduous duties Of
we'll occupied probation, and passed to position
rest where his works win nobly follow and honor
m, and vhsre he win eontinne his able counsels
r the prosperity aAd welfare Of Zion.