John Madisen Chidester was born in Pompey, NY in 1809, which made him four years younger than Joseph Smith. His father died when he was only six months old, so John spent his infancy in the home of his grandparents. His mother remarried, and he and his mother moved to Michigan to join a blended family. John was apprenticed to a wheelwright and carpenter. When he was twenty, he married Mary Josephine Parker and they bought property in Summerfield Michigan where they had their first son (our ancestor).
In the summer of 1832, David Patten, who had just been made an elder, returned to his home in Michigan and preached to his friends and family. John heard his message and accepted baptism. In 1834 John heard that Joseph Smith was organizing a group to go to Missouri to help the saints, and he, his wife, their two year old son and three month old daughter joined Zion’s Camp. One night after they had traveled 25 miles, they were about to set up camp but the Prophet announced he felt impressed to continue onward. There was some dissension in the camp, but in the end they followed the prophet. It was later reported that a large group of men had organized to attack them in their original campsite.
After Zion’s camp, the young family settled in Liberty Missouri where they suffered persecution. Two children were born to them in Missouri but both died of exposure and malnutrition. John was captured and accused of stealing a horse, a capital offence. John scoffed at the charges and said he would “lay out” the first person who touched him. The mob decided to let him go.
John was ordained a Seventy in 1837 and also served as a bodyguard to the Prophet Joseph Smith. John was with the Prophet when he was imprisoned and rebuked the guards for their foul language.
When the Saints were driven from Missouri, John and his family moved to Quincy Illinois and then to Commerce (later Nauvoo). They lived happily there for a few years. John served a mission to Michigan, and served as a lieutenant in the Nauvoo Legion. John and Mary were one of the couples who received their endowments in the Nauvoo Temple.
When the Saints moved west in 1847, John was asked to loan his wagon to Ezra Taft Benson and remain behind. He did and built a ferry in Montrose to help the saints cross the Mississippi. He later moved to Council Bluffs and built a grist mill, wagons, carts and living quarters for the Saints.
Finally in 1850 he crossed the plains. Upon reaching Utah, his family moved to Bountiful, but were later reassigned to Palmyra, Spanish Fork, a ranch in Parley’s Canyon and a Cotton Mission in Southern Utah. Later he was asked to help build the St George Temple. He did hand carving on the balustrades, interior work, and doors.
He married at least two other women. Leah Jane Thompson was an unwed pregnant teen John married in 1857. She died soon after the child was born and Mary raised the child. Ten years later he married a divorced women(?), Anna Charlotte Eldridge. Another woman, Mary Ann Pratt, is listed as a spouse on Family Search but there isn’t much other information about her.
John died in Washington County, UT in 1893 at the age of 84.
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