John Milton Bernhisel

John Milton Bernhisel (born July 23, 1799 in Harrisburg , Pennsylvania , † September 28, 1881 in Salt Lake City ) was an American politician . Between 1851 and 1863 he represented the Utah Territory twice as a delegate in the US House of Representatives .

Early years and advancement

John Bernhisel attended public schools in his native Pennsylvania. He then studied medicine at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia , after which he practiced as a doctor in New York City . After joining the Mormon movement , he moved with them to Nauvoo , Illinois in 1843 . There he was, among other things, personal physician to Joseph Smith , the leader of this denomination. But he was not present when he was murdered in June 1844. In 1848, Bernhisel and his denomination moved to Salt Lake City. He also worked as a doctor in his new home.

Bernhisel in Congress

After the establishment of the Utah Territory, Bernhisel became Brigham Young . the new head of the Mormons, who made up the majority of the population in this territory , as a delegate for the US House of Representatives and confirmed by the citizens. Between March 4, 1851 and March 3, 1859, he represented the interests of his territory and his religious community in four legislative periods. He campaigned for an improvement in the infrastructure, for example through the telegraphic development of the territory and the construction of the railroad. As a delegate, however, he had no voting rights in Congress . In 1858 he was not nominated for re-election. His delegate seat went to William Henry Hooper of the Democratic Party between 1859 and 1861 .

Bernhisel then returned to work as a doctor in Utah. After he was re-elected as a delegate to Congress in 1862, he was able to complete another legislative period there between March 4, 1861 and March 3, 1863. In 1862 he no longer ran for this office.

Another résumé

After the end of his political activities in Washington, DC Bernhisel worked again as a doctor. He became a member of the University of Utah's first board of directors . He also remained active in his religious community. John Bernhisel was married to Elizabeth Baker, among others, with whom he had six children. He had a son from his first marriage.

Web links

• John Milton Bernhisel in the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress (English)

• John Milton Bernhisel in the database of Find a Grave (English)