Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography/Snow, Lorenzo

SNOW, Lorenzo, Mormon official, b. in Mantua, Portage co., Ohio, 8 April, 1814 He studied in the schools of Ravenna and at Oberlin college. He left the latter in 1836, intending to enter an eastern institution, but on a visit at Kirtland he met Joseph Smith, became a convert to Mormonism, and gave up his former plans. In 1837 he began his work as a missionary, but accompanied the church on his journey to Illinois. In 1840 he was sent as a missionary to Great Britain, where he became councillor to Parley P. Pratt, president of the British mission; he held the same position with the successor of the latter. On his return to America he organized the military company known as the Nauvoo legion, of which he was elected captain. He took charge also of the Nauvoo school. His campaign for the election of Smith to the U. S. presidency was cut short by the murder of the latter; he was prominent in the search for a western refuge for the people, but did not reach Salt Lake City until 1848. In 1852 he was elected a member of the Utah house of representatives and was returned either to the house or to the council at every election until 1882. He founded and named Brigham City, Utah, in 1855, and there organised a successful system of co-operation. A trip to Italy called him away in 1849, to the Sandwich islands in 1864, and in 1872 he made a tour of Europe and Palestine. His active interest in educational affairs continued unabated. He was ordained one of the twelve apostles on 12 Feb., 1849, was chosen president of the twelve in April, 1889, president of the temple when it was opened, 23 May, 1893, and president of the Mormon church, 13 Sept., 1898, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Wilford Woodruff. Among his publications are “The Italian Mission” (London, 1851); “The Only Way to be Saved” (London, 1851), which has passed through several editions and has been translated into many European tongues; “The Voice of Joseph” (Liverpool, 1852), an account of the Mormons; a translation of the “Book of Mormon” into Italian; and “The Palestine Tourists” (1874), an account, in collaboration with his sister, of his journey in Europe and the Holy Land made in 1872.