David Wyman Patten (1799-1838)
14 Nov. 1799–25 Oct. 1838. Farmer. Born in Vermont. Son of Benoni Patten and Edith Cole. Moved to Theresa, Oneida Co., New York, as a young child. Moved to Dundee, Monroe Co., Michigan Territory, as a youth. Married Phoebe Ann Babcock, 1828, in Dundee. Affiliated with the Methodists. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by his brother John Patten, 15 June 1832, at Fairplay, Greene Co., Indiana. Ordained an elder by Elisha H. Groves, 17 June 1832. Served mission to Michigan Territory, 1832. Ordained a high priest by Hyrum Smith, 2 Sept. 1832. Served mission to eastern states, 1832–1833. Moved family from Michigan Territory to Florence, Erie Co., Ohio, 1833. With William Pratt, carried dispatches from Joseph Smith to church leaders in Clay Co., Missouri, Dec. 1833. Served mission to southern U.S. with Warren F. Parrish, 1834–1835. Ordained member of Quorum of the Twelve, 15 Feb. 1835, at Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio. Served mission to Tennessee, spring 1835. With the Twelve, served mission to eastern states, summer 1835. Moved from Kirtland to Far West, Missouri, 1836. Member of presidency pro tempore of church in Far West, 1838. Active in Latter-day Saint attempts to defend Caldwell Co., Missouri. Mortally wounded during skirmish at Crooked River, near Ray Co., Missouri, 25 Oct. 1838. Died near Far West.
Retrieved with permission from The Joseph Smith Papers.