Franklin Dewey Richards (1821-1899)
2 Apr. 1821–9 Dec. 1899. Carpenter, businessman, newspaper editor. Born at Richmond, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of Phinehas Richards and Wealthy Dewey. Raised Congregationalist. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Phinehas Richards, 3 June 1838, at Richmond. Moved to Missouri, 1838. Moved to Quincy, Adams Co., Illinois, 1839. Ordained a seventy by Joseph Young, 9 Apr. 1840, at Nauvoo, Hancock Co., Illinois. Served mission to northern Indiana, 1840–1841. Served mission to Ohio, 1841–1842. Member of Nauvoo Masonic Lodge. Married Jane Snyder, 18 Dec. 1842, at Job Creek, Hancock Co. Ordained a high priest by Brigham Young, 17 May 1844, at Nauvoo. Served mission to England, 1844; recalled at New York because of death of Joseph Smith. Served mission to Michigan to raise funds for construction of Nauvoo temple, 1845. Served as assistant to church clerk, 1845–1846, at Nauvoo. Served mission to British Isles, 1846–1848. Presided over British mission, 1847. Migrated to Salt Lake City, 1848. Ordained an apostle by Heber C. Kimball, 12 Feb. 1849, at Salt Lake City. Member of Utah territorial legislature, periodically from 1852 to 1875. Presided over British mission, 1851–1852, 1854–1856, and 1867–1868. Moved to Ogden, Weber Co., Utah Territory, 1869. Served as assistant church historian. Served as church historian, 1889–1899. President of Quorum of the Twelve, 1898–1899. Died at Ogden.
Retrieved with permission from The Joseph Smith Papers.