John Milton Bernhisel

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

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, New York. After becoming affiliated with the Latter-day Saint movement, he moved to Nauvoo, Illinois in 1843. Dr. Bernhisel served as the personal physician to the Mormon leader, and even lived in his home. He delivered some of the Smith children.

In June of 1844 John Bernhisel accompanied Joseph Smith to the Carthage Jail and spent some time with the Smith brothers and the other companions, but was not present at the time of President Smith's death.

After the death of Joseph Smith, Jr., Bernhisel moved west with the majority of the Mormon church's membership. He settled in Salt Lake City, Utah in 1848 and continued the practice of medicine.

Bernhisel was selected by Young to represent the interests of the Latter-day Saints before Congress when the new settlers began to consider an application for statehood under the name Deseret. 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.

Dr. 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).

John Bernhisel practiced polygamy. According to LDS public records he had children with two women: Julia Ann and Elizabeth Barker. He was also married to Malissa Lott from 1846 to 1849. By 1850 he was only married to Elizabeth Barker.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  • Barrett, Gwynn W. “Dr. John M. Bernhisel: Mormon Elder in Congress.” Utah Historical Quarterly 36 (Spring 1968): 143-67.
  • United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Seventh Census of the United States, 1850. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1850-1851, NARA Microfilm Publication M432, Utah Territory, Davis and Salt Lake Counties.
  • United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Eighth Census of the United States, 1860. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1860, NARA Microfilm Publication M653, Utah Territory, Salt Lake County.

[edit] External links

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Members of the Council of Fifty of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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