Spencer, Daniel, 1794-1868.

Daniel Spencer was born in Westport MA, 20 July 1794. Converted to Mormon Church in 1840, moved to Nauvoo, Illinois in 1841. Served missions to Canada, to the American Indians, to state of MA. Member of Nauvoo City Council and served for a short time at the mayor of Nauvoo. He was among those initially selected by Joseph Smith to be a member of the Exploring Expedition to the Rocky Mountains, an assignment cut short by Joseph Smith's death in June 1844. Appointed by Brigham Young as a Captain of 50 in the Mormon Exodus from Nauvoo. This diary is his account of the trek from Nauvoo to Winter Quarters, Nebraska, March to December 1846. He was called to be a Bishop in Winter Quarters. In 1847 he was appointed a Captain of two companies of 50s. His group was the first pioneering company to enter the Salt Lake Valley following the arrival of the main group lead by Brigham Young. From 1849-1868 he served at the President of the Salt Lake Stake, except of a mission to England, 1852-56. He was a member of the Utah Territorial Legislature; and as Stake President served as a municipal judge in Salt Lake Valley. He died in Salt Lake City on 8 December 1868. He was a merchant by trade prior to his conversion to the Mormon Church; he was the younger brother of early Mormon author Orson Spencer.

From the description of Diary, 1846. (Brigham Young University). WorldCat record id: 53270030

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