John Milton Bernhisel

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Dr. John Milton Bernhisel (June 23, 1799 - September 28, 1881) was an American physician, politician and early member of the Latter Day Saint movement. He was a close friend and companion to both Joseph Smith, Jr. and Brigham Young. He represented the territory of Deseret (present-day Utah) to the United States House of Representatives 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 Joseph 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 church's membership, which later took the name of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 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 elected 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.