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Term: Briggs, Jason W. 1821 - 1899

Definition:

Mormon clergyman, b. Pompey, N.Y. He moved to Wisconsin in 1838, joined the Church of Latter Day Saints at Potosi in 1841, and was ordained an elder in 1842. In 1843 he organized a "branch" at Beloit. A struggle for leadership in the church followed the death of Joseph Smith in 1844, and in 1851 the leaders of the Beloit and Blanchardville branches met at Blanchardville to form the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints according to the plan given Joseph Smith in 1830. Briggs was ordained an apostle, was representative president (1853-1860), and was president of the Quorum of Twelve (1854-1886). He traveled widely in the United States and Europe as a Wisconsin missionary. While in England, he edited The Restorer (1874-1875), and in Utah served as editor of The Messenger. J. and H. C. Smith, Hist. of the Church .. . of Latter Day Saints (4 vols., Lamoni, Iowa, 1900-1903); I. S. Davis, Story of the Church (Independence, Mo., 1948).

View newspaper clippings at Wisconsin Local History and Biography Articles.