Biography

It may not be amiss to occasionally give brief sketches of the biography of distinguished men in the church of Jesus Christ of Latter day-Saints. For this reason we will give an outline of the history of Elder Elias Hutchings who departed this life on the 13th of January 1845, aged nearly 61 years. He was the oldest man in the first Seventy, and a President of (we believe) the third quorum.

Elder Hutchings was born in the town of Windsor, county of Chester, and State of New Hampshire, on the 20th of February 1784, where he resided with Thomas Hutchings his father, till December 1816.

He then removed to the town of Avery, Haron county, Ohio, where he married Sally Smith, nothing particular occurred till the 17th of November, 1830, when he and his wife were both baptised [baptized] by Caleb Baldwin into the church of Jesus Christ of Latter day-Saints. This was done in the town of Orange and county of Cuyahoga, (Ohio,) he continued to reside in this place as an exemplary member of the church till September, 1839, during which time he many times manifested his faith by his works. In 1834, he was one of the ever memorable sons of Zion, who took his life in his hand and went up with the camp to the aid and assistance of the saints who had been driven out of Jackson county, Mo. His offering with the rest of his companions in the gospel, was accepted.

In the fall of 1839, he removed to Naples, Scott county, Illinois. Here he lived in all the enjoyments which could naturally attend a good man, away from the heads of the church, till the next May, when he again removed into the territory of Iowa.

On the 10th of November, 1844, however;-having a great anxiety to share the trials and glories of his brethren, he removed to the city of Nauvoo.

After enjoying this goodly society only about two months, regaling in the bliss, satisfaction, harmony and united thanksgiving, which crowned the dedication of the Seventies' Hall, he gave up the Ghost and was gathered to the fathers, like a shock of corn fully ripe. "Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord from henceforth, for they shall rest from their labors, and their works shall follow them," saith the Lord.