Blackburn, Elias Hicks, 1827-1908

Elias Hicks Blackburn was born on September 17, 1827, in Bedford, Pennsylvania. He joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Nauvoo in 1845 and experienced the Mormon exodus of 1846. He spent the next year aiding the families of the Mormon Battalion and in 1849 traveled to Provo, Utah, where he served as Provo's first bishop. He spent from 1859 until 1862 as president of the British Mission (partially to avoid arrest for polygamy) and upon his return to Utah worked as an emigration agent for British Mormons. He was appointed as a religious healer in 1889 and spent most of the rest of his life administering to the sick. Blackburn died on April 6, 1908, in Loa, Utah.

From the description of A sketch or summary of the life and labors of Elias Hicks Blackburn, c.1829-1900. (Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens). WorldCat record id: 697633088

Pioneer and Mormon bishop in Provo and Loa, Utah, farmer, member of Territorial legislature, home-remedy healer.

From the description of Papers, 1848-1908. (Utah Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 145582065

Elias Hicks Blackburn (1827-1908) was baptized into the Mormon Church in 1845 and moved to Utah in 1849. He assisted in the settling of Provo City and was later appointed as Bishop. Blackburn was a practioner of polygamy and would go on a mission to England for three years to avoid being arrested. Upon his return he was appointed an emigration agent and helped several hundred people emigrate from England to Salt Lake City. His dedication to the church would carry him to administer to people in Beaver County and the Fremont Valley, serve a term in the Territorial Legislature in 1882, and be set apart as a Patriarch in 1889 to travel and perform blessings.

From the description of Journals of Elias Hicks Blackburn, 1904-1905. (Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens). WorldCat record id: 122332631