Daniel Spencer, Jr.

Wikipedia Biographical Summary

Daniel Spencer (July 20, 1794 – December 8, 1868) was the last mayor of Nauvoo, Illinois prior to the revocation of its first charter.

Spencer was born in West Stockbridge, Massachusetts. In 1840, he joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He soon after baptized his brother Orson Spencer.

Spencer served as a missionary to Canada in 1841.

Spencer left Nauvoo in February 1846. In Winter Quarters, Nebraska he served as a bishop. He arrived in the Salt Lake Valley in 1847 with the Perregrine Sessions Mormon pioneer company.

From 1852-1856 Spencer served as a missionary in the British Isles.

From 1849-1868 he served as president of the Salt Lake City Stake of the LDS Church..."

SOURCE: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Spencer_%28Mormon%29

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DANIEL SPENCER
- by Edward Tullege (Excerpted)

In the history of Salt Lake City no name better deserves honor and perpetuation than that of Daniel Spencer, an upright "Judge in Israel," and a man of exceeding purity of life. It was under his administration, as "President of the Stake," that Salt Lake City grew up previous to its incorporation under the Territorial government. The following is a brief sketch of himself and family.

Daniel Spencer, the son of Daniel Spencer and Chloe Wilson, was born at the town of West Stockbridge, Berkshire County, Massachusetts, July 20th, 1794. Daniel Spencer's company was the first of the Winter Quarters' emigration that followed the Pioneers into the Great Basin.

He was baptized into the LDS Church in April, 1840. He brought into the Church his brother Orson, and then in 1842 he moved to Nauvoo. He had scarcely arrived in the city of the Saints, when he was appointed on a mission to Canada. On his return, he was elected a member of the Nauvoo city council; but soon afterwards he was sent on a mission to the Indian nation. From the hardships of that mission he never recovered to the day of his death. The next year, he was sent on a mission to Massachusetts, returned and was elected mayor of Nauvoo.

So high was the Prophet Joseph's estimate of his character and justice that he said of him, "Daniel Spencer is the wisest man in Nauvoo."

At the time twelve men were selected by Joseph Smith to explore the Rocky Mountains, with the view of the Saints locating there, Daniel Spencer was called as one of them, but the exploring expedition was interrupted by the martyrdom of the Prophet. ...

Daniel Spencer's company was the first to reach the Salt lake valley after the original company of Pioneers led by President Brigham Young.

In the organization of the high council of the [Salt Lake]stake, he was appointed a member; and soon afterwards was elected its president [Salt Lake Stake, Feb. 13, 1849], which position he filled up to his death. ...

At the organization of the stake, he was, under the First Presidency and the Twelve, made the spiritual head of the entire colony; and under his administration Sale Lake grew up several years before its incorporation under the civic government. At that time the president of the stake occupied something like the position of the mayor of the inchoate city, and chief judge of the Church. ...

He was a member of the [Utah] Legislature for years, and for some time sat in the Senate of the provisional Government of the State of Deseret, and acted in connection with those who framed its constitution.

He was appointed on a mission to England, and filled the place of first counselor to Franklin D. Richards. He arrived in England just at the important period of the publication of the revelation on polygamy, and by his wisdom very much sustained the Church. Having honorably fulfilled his mission to Europe he returned to his native land in 1856.

After a long life of distinguished service to his church and his community and state, Daniel Spencer died December 8th, 1868, aged 74.
Inscription: DANIEL SPENCER BORN IN WEST STOCKBRIDGE BERKSHIRE CO., MASS. JULY 20, 1794. DIED IN SALT LAKE CITY DEC. 8, 1868. HE WAS PRESIDENT OF THE SALT LAKE STAKE OF ZION FROM FEB. 13, 1849 UNTIL THE TIME OF HIS DEATH.

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Jun 1 2018, 23:00:11 UTC