Harper's Encyclopedia of United States History
Benson Lossing, Ed.

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Taylor, John 1808-

Mormon; born in Winthrop, England, Nov. 1, 1808; went to Toronto, Canada, in 1832; was there converted to Mormonism by the preaching of Parley D. Pratt in 1836; was made an apostle in 1838 and settled in Missouri. For twenty years he preached this faith in Great Britain and France and published French and German translations of the Book of Mormon in Europe. In 1852 he returned to the United States, and in April of the next year was present at the laying of the corner-stone of the Temple in Salt Lake City. He was with Joseph Smith when the latter was killed, and was himself shot four times. When Utah applied for admission to the Union he represented that Territory in Congress. In 1877, on the death of Brigham Young, he was elected president of the Church, and in 1880 became head and prophet of the part of the Church which adhered to the doctrine of polygamy. He was indicted for that offence in March, 1885, and in order to avoid arrest he exiled himself. He died July 25, 1887.