Bennion, John E., 1820-1877.

John E. Bennion (1820-1877) was born in Hawarden, Wales. He was converted to the Mormon faith by John Taylor (1808-1887). In 1842 he married Esther Wainwright and a week later they set sail for the United States. A practioner of polygamy, Bennion participated in the Utah War of 1857-58 and went on a mission to England from 1872-73.

Mormon living in Nauvoo, Illinois.

John Bennion was born in Flint, North Wales, on July 9, 1820. His education was cut short after the death of his mother, and he went to Liverpool to work as a boilermaker. Bennion was raised a devout Methodist, but during an 1841 meeting of Mr. Aiken's Christian Society he was introduced to two Mormon missionaries and was eventually convinced to join the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Bennion was ordained as a priest, but returned home to work on his father's farm for a time. In 1842 he married Elizabeth Wainwright, and in the same year departed for Nauvoo, Illinois. In 1847 Bennion traveled to Salt Lake City with Bishop Hunter's company, and later settled in Taylorsville. The nearby town of Bennion, Utah, was named in his honor. Bennion married two plural wives - Esther Ann Birch and Mary Turpin - and had a total of 23 children. He made a living as a farmer and also served in the Nauvoo Legion. Bennion died in a horse mounting accident on September 1, 1877.

Mormon pioneer in Utah and Nevada.