Murdock, John

15 July 1792–23 Dec. 1871. Farmer. Born at Kortright, Delaware Co., New York. Son of John Murdock Sr. and Eleanor Riggs. Joined Lutheran Dutch Church, ca. 1817, then Presbyterian Seceder Church shortly after. Moved to Orange, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, ca. 1819. Baptized into Baptist church, at Orange. Married first Julia Clapp of Mentor, Geauga Co., Ohio, 14 Dec. 1823. Joined reformed Baptist (later Disciples of Christ or Campbellite) faith, ca. 1827. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Parley P. Pratt, 5 Nov. 1830, at Kirtland, Geauga Co. Ordained an elder by Oliver Cowdery, 7 Nov. 1830, at Mayfield, Cuyahoga Co. Organized branches of church at Orange and Warrensville, Cuyahoga Co., 1831. Wife died following birth of twins, 30 Apr. 1831, at Warrensville. JS and Emma Smith adopted the twins, Joseph and Julia. Ordained a high priest by JS, 4 June 1831, at Kirtland. Left to serve mission to Missouri with Hyrum Smith, June 1831. Appointed to serve mission to Missouri, Ohio, and Virginia, Jan. 1832. Attended organizational meeting of School of the Prophets, 22–23 Jan. 1833, in Kirtland. Left to serve mission to eastern states with Zebedee Coltrin, Apr. 1833. Participated in Camp of Israel expedition to Missouri, 1834. Member of Zion high council in Clay Co., Missouri, 1834. Served mission to Vermont and New York, 1835–1836. Appointed president of Zion high council, 1836. Married second Amoranda Turner, 4 Feb. 1836; she died, 1837. Married third Electra Allen, 3 May 1838. With George M. Hinkle, purchased large number of lots for Latter-day Saint settlement in De Witt, Carroll Co., Missouri, 23 June 1838. Forced out of De Witt by vigilantes, 11 Oct. 1838; returned to Far West, 14 Oct. 1838. Left Far West for Quincy, Adams Co., Illinois, 4 Feb. 1839. Lived near Lima, Adams Co., 1839–1841. Moved to Nauvoo, Hancock Co., Illinois, spring 1841. Bishop of Nauvoo Fifth Ward, 1842–1844. Served mission to Indiana, Nov. 1844–Mar. 1845. Wife died, 1845. Married fourth Sarah Zufelt, 13 Mar. 1846, in Fulton Co., Illinois. Arrived in Salt Lake Valley, 24 Sept. 1847. Member of Salt Lake high council, ca. 1847–1849, and appointed bishop of Salt Lake City Fourteenth Ward, 1849. Served in Utah territorial legislature, 1849–1851. Served mission to Australia, 1851–1853. Moved to Lehi, Utah Co., Utah Territory, ca. 1854. Served as patriarch, Apr. 1854–Mar. 1867. Moved to Beaver, Beaver Co., Utah Territory, fall 1867. Died at Beaver.