Joseph Young papers, 1859-1881

Joseph Young (1797-1881) was the son of John Young and Nabbie Howe, and the elder brother of Brigham Young. He first saw the Book of Mormon in 1830 and was baptized in 1832 into the Church of Christ. He preached in New York before going on a mission to Canada with his brother, Phineas. When he returned he married Jane Adeline Bicknell in 1834. He was ordained by Joseph Smith as president of the Quorum of the Seventies in 1835 while in Kirtland, Ohio. In 1838 he left Kirtland with many other members of the LDS Church and went to Missouri, arriving at Haun's Mill on October 28, he stayed until October 30th and was present to witness and survive the massacre that occurred. He left Missouri with members of the LDS Church under orders of Governor Boggs in 1838 and traveled to Illinois. In Illinois he settled in the city of Commerce, which was later called Nauvoo. Young was a farmer who also earned money painting and glazing. After the death of Joseph Smith, he crossed the plains and settled in Salt Lake City, where he remained until his death.