For twenty years he did missionary work for the Mormons in Great Britain and France, and while there published the "Book of Mormon " in French, and also a German translation in Hamburg. In 1852 he returned to this country, and in April, 1853, assisted in laying the corner-stone of the Temple in Salt Lake City. In 1854 he went to New York City, where he issued a paper called "The Mormon," and was editor of numerous other church publications. He was by the side of Joseph Smith when the latter was assassinated in Carthage jail, and received four shots in his body; a fifth lodged in his watch, which probably saved his life. He was a delegate to congress to ask for the admission of Utah into the Union.

On the death of Brigham Young, in 1877, he succeeded to the presidency of the church, and in 1880 was made president and prophet of the portion of the Mormon church that indorsed and practiced polygamy He was an early advocate and adherent of polygamy, and in March, 1885, was indicted for that crime. His last appearance in public was on 1 February, 1885, after which, to avoid arrest, he went into exile and remained hidden until his death.

Edited Appletons Encyclopedia by John Looby, Copyright © 2001 StanKlos.com^TM

TAYLOR, John, president of the Mormon church, born in Winthrop, England, 1 November, 1808; died 25 July, 1887. He united with the Methodist church in England, and in 1832 emigrated to Toronto, Canada. In 1836 Parley P. Pratt, a Mormon elder, preached in Toronto, and John Taylor was converted and baptized. The next year he went to reside in Kirtland, Ohio, and in 1838 he was made one of the twelve apostles, and removed to Missouri. Pot twenty years he did missionary work for the Mormons in Great Britain and France, and while there published the "Book of Mormon " in French, and also a German translation in Hamburg. In 1852 he returned to this country, and in April, 1853, assisted in laying the corner-stone of the Temple in Salt Lake City. In 1854 he went to New York city, where he issued a paper called "The Mormon," and was editor of numerous other church publications. He was by the side of Joseph Smith when the latter was assassinated in Carthage jail, and received four shots in his body; a fifth lodged in his watch, which probably saved his life. He was a delegate to congress to ask for the admission of Utah into the Union. On the death of Brigham Young, in 1877, he succeeded to the presidency of the church, and in 1880 was made president and prophet of the portion of the Mormon church that indorsed and practised polygamy He was an early advocate and adherent of polygamy, and in March, 1885, was indicted for that crime. His last appearance in public was on 1 February, 1885, after which, to avoid arrest, he went into exile and remained hidden until his death.