Interim Content

Law, William

Biography

8 Sept. 1809–12/19 Jan. 1892. Merchant, millwright, physician. Born in Co. Tyrone, Ireland. Son of Richard Law and Ann Hunter. Immigrated to U.S. and settled in Springfield Township, Mercer Co., Pennsylvania, by 1820. Moved to Delaware Township, Mercer Co., by 1830. Moved to Churchville, Chinguacousy Township, York Co. (later in Ontario), Upper Canada, by 1833. Married Jane Silverthorn, 11 June 1833, in York, York Township, York Co. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, by 1837. Ordained an elder by Parley P. Pratt, 24 Apr. 1837. Served as presiding elder of Churchville branch, 1837–1838. Moved to Georgetown (later Sheakleyville), Mercer Co., by 1838. Moved to Commerce (later Nauvoo), Hancock Co., Illinois, 1839. Instructed in JS revelation to buy stock for building Nauvoo House, 19 Jan. 1841. Served as counselor in First Presidency, 1841–1844, in Nauvoo. Served mission to Philadelphia, 1841. Appointed aide-de-camp to lieutenant general in Nauvoo Legion, Mar. 1841. Member of Nauvoo City Council, 1841–1843. Member of Nauvoo Masonic Lodge. Removed from First Presidency, by Jan. 1844; excommunicated, 18 Apr. 1844, in Nauvoo. Appointed by dissenters of church to replace JS as president of church; eventually organized new church, 1844. Publisher of Nauvoo Expositor, 1844. Moved to Burlington, Des Moines Co., Iowa Territory, June 1844; to Hampton, Rock Island Co., Illinois, by Oct. 1844; and to Jo Daviess Co., Illinois, by 1847. Lived at Findley Township, Mercer Co., 1850; in Apple River, Jo Daviess Co., by 1860; and in Shullsburg, Lafayette Co., Wisconsin, by 1870. Died in Shullsburg.

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