John Taylor

Uncle of GQC and referred to as such throughout GQC’s journals; born in Milnthorpe, Westmoreland, England; immigrated to Canada; married GQC’s aunt Leonora Cannon, 1833; baptized with his wife by Parley P. Pratt in Upper Canada, 1836; moved to Missouri, where he was ordained an apostle, 1838; called on mission to British Isles, 1839; taught the gospel to GQC’s family while in England; established residence at Nauvoo, Illinois, 1841; served as editor of the Times and Seasons; invited GQC to join his household in Nauvoo, 1842; wounded in mob attack at Carthage Jail in which Joseph and Hyrum Smith were martyred; immigrated to Salt Lake Valley, 1847; served mission to France, 1849–1852, during which he oversaw publication of L’Etoile du Deseret and Zion’s Panier, as well as the Book of Mormon in both German and French, and laid the groundwork for the sugar beet industry in Utah; published the Mormon in New York City, 1855–1857; assumed leadership of Church as president of Quorum of Twelve Apostles following death of Brigham Young; sustained as third president of the Church, 1880; served in that position until his death; died in Kaysville, Utah. (See Jenson, BE, 1:15–19; “Biographies,” in Tullidge, History of Salt Lake City, 23–28; Roberts, Life of John Taylor; Haslam, John Taylor; Woodger, John Taylor: Champion of Liberty; GQC journal, frequent references, Nov. 1850–Sept. 1854.)