YOUNG, BRIGHAM, an American Mormon; born in Whitingham, Vt., June 1, 1801. His father was a farmer, and he himself learned the trade of painter and glazier. Early in life he joined the Baptists, but when about the age of 30 was converted to Mormonism, and openly joined the sect at Kirtland, 0., in 1832. In 1835 he was ordained an elder and sent forth among the 12 apostles, the New England States being the district assigned to him. Here he is said to have been very successful in his proselytizing labors. On the death of Joseph Smith, in 1844, he was unanimously chosen president and prophet, though he had three competitors for the office, one of whom, Sidney Rigdon, he soon afterward excommunicated. On the forcible expul sion of the sect from Nauvoo, Ill., Presi dent Young led them through toils and dangers, which nothing but the most ad mirable energy could have conquered, to Joseph Smith nine years before. A large party, among whom were Smith's wife and sons, in the Church opposed the innovation, and declared the revela tion to be a forgery, but Young's influ ence carried the day. He himself had
from 15 to 18 actual wives, besides nu merous spiritual wives who were formally "sealed" to him. He was twice indicted for polygamy, but each time the case fell through. His 15th wife sued for a divorce in 1875. The barbarous Moun tain Meadow Massacre of 1858 was brought to the notice of the law in 1875. In it a train of 136 emigrants, who had come into collision with the Mormon settlers, was practically exterminated, only a few children being allowed to escape. The court exonerated Young from complicity in the affair, though the suspicion was never satisfactorily cleared away, but " Bishop " Lee, a leading Mormon, was condemned to death in 1876, and shot in March, 1877, on the scene of the massacre. Brigham Young was a man of undoubted ability, strength of character, and shrewdness. He died in Salt Lake City, Aug. 29, 1877. See MORMONS.