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others to stay behind and, if they were invaded, to set fire to Salt Lake City. In 1859, John married twice more, Caroline Pratt and Laura Lund (the author's grandmother) Shortly after, he was called on his second mission to the Scandinavian countries. He had tremendous success and returned home in 1862, an honored, respected, loved citizen of Utah with a well-loved family. That same year he was appointed as one of the First Seven Presidents of the Seventies 12 He had four wives, twenty-eight children, ten of whom died young. The church remembered John's past experiences and assigned him to preside over the Sanpete region. In those days, few could travel that road and not stop at intermediate settlements. He made the trip many times He and one of his wives owned a home in Ephraim." One trip he made in the spring of 1867, and another was from Salt Lake City on September 16, 1868, and included President Brigham Young, Wilford Woodruff, and George Q. Cannon At the Point of the Mountain, they met an escort of cavalry, then drove on to American Fork, took dinner and spoke in the bowery. Cheering crowds turned out, and the group stopped at many more towns on the way, ending in Gunnison.14 Between 1865 and 1881, John spent much of his time in Sanpete County. On April 14, 1879, the Manti Temple was well under construction. At the northeast cornerstone, John Van Cott gave one of the dedicatory prayers.15 John had lived a full and exciting life, but during 1882 his health began to fail. Dr. Young said his ailments were the result of overwork, illness, and a broken down body. He passed away on 19 |
