John Milton Bernhisel

Wikipedia Biographical Summary:

"...John Milton Bernhisel (June 23, 1799 – September 28, 1881) was an American physician, politician and early member of the Latter-day Saint movement. He was a close friend and companion to both Joseph Smith, Jr. and Brigham Young. Bernhisel was the original delegate of the Utah Territory in the United States House of Representatives (1851–1859, 1861–1863) and acted as a member of the Council of Fifty of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church)..."

"...Bernhisel was born at Sandy Hill, Tyrone Township, near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He graduated in medicine from the University of Pennsylvania at Philadelphia, and began practicing medicine in New York City. After becoming affiliated with the Latter-day Saint movement, he moved to Nauvoo, Illinois in 1843. Bernhisel served as the personal physician to Joseph Smith, Jr. and lived in his home. He delivered some of Emma Smith's children..."

"... He was selected to the Thirty-second and to the three succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1851 – March 3, 1859). After returning briefly to his medical practice, he also ran and served in the Thirty-seventh Congress (March 4, 1861 – March 3, 1863). Bernhisel also served as regent of the University of Utah..."

"...Bernhisel was a bachelor until he was 46 years old (March 1845), when he married Julia Ann Haight, the widow of William Van Orden and mother of five children. The couple had one child, also named John Milton Bernhisel (born in 1846). Like many early Mormons, Bernhisel went on to practice plural marriage. He was married to seven women, but by 1850 all of them but Elizabeth Barker had left for various reasons..."

SOURCE: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Milton_Bernhisel