150 years ago
Presiding Bishop Newel K. Whitney died Sept. 23, 1850, in Salt Lake City at the age of 55, it was announced in the Sept. 28, 1850, Deseret News.
The announcement stated: "In him the Church suffers the loss of a wise and able counselor — of a thorough and straight-forward businessman. It was ever more gratifying to him to pay a debt than to contract one; and when all his debts were paid, he was a happy man, though he had nothing left but his own moral and muscular energy."
It concluded: "He has gone down to the grave, leaving a spotless name behind him, and thousands to mourn their loss of such a valuable man."
A storekeeper, Bishop Whitney joined the Church in Kirtland, Ohio, and met Joseph Smith there in 1831. He was a staunch friend and supporter of the Prophet. He was sustained as First Bishop of the Church on Oct. 7, 1844, and as Presiding Bishop on April 6, 1847. He was born Feb. 5, 1795, in Marlborough, Windham Co., Vermont.