John R. Murdock (Mormon)

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John R. Murdock was the leader of the most Down-and-Back companies in Latter-day Saint history.

The son of John Murdock, he not only lead several down and back companies but also served several missions in the eastern United States. He was also a prominent leader of the church in Beaver, Utah.

Murdock was born in 1826. After living with the Cornelius Lott family in Nauvoo, Murdock fell in love with and married Lott's daughter Almira Henrietta Lott.[1]

For a time Murdock served as the regional presiding bishop in Beaver County, Utah. [2]

Murdock was the first president of the Beaver Stake when it was organized in 1869. He served in this position until 1891.[3]

Murdock was a member of the aportionment and boundaries committee of the 1895 Utah State Constitutional Convention. [4]

Murdock was closely involved with the movement to start a secondary school in Southern Utah, which is why when it was finally began at Beaver it was named the Murdock Academy. [5] This institution functioned as a branch of Brigham Young Academy, the predeccesor of Brigham Young University.[6]

Murdock died in 1913.

[edit] References

  • Tanner, Joseph M. A biographical sketch of John R. Murdock (Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret News Press, 1909).
  1. ^ Whitney, Orson F. (1892-1904). History of Utah (in English). Salt Lake City: G.Q. Cannon, 190. OCLC 4995807. 
  2. ^ http://byustudies.byu.edu/shop/pdfsrc/23.2Pace.pdf
  3. ^ Jenson, Andrew. Encyclopedic History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Salt Lake City: Deseret News Press, 1941) p. 53
  4. ^ State of Utah Constitutional Convention - Day 5
  5. ^ Southern Utah's First High School
  6. ^ Jenson, Andrew. Encyclopedic History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (Salt Lake City: Deseret News Press, 1941) p. 555