John Van Cott facts for kids
Quick facts for kids John Van Cott |
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John Van Cott in 1846
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| First Seven Presidents of the Seventy | |
| October 8, 1862 – February 18, 1883 | |
| Called by | Brigham Young |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 7, 1814 Canaan, New York, United States |
| Died | February 18, 1883 (aged 68) Salt Lake City, Utah Territory, United States |
| Resting place | Salt Lake City Cemetery 40°46′37″N 111°51′29″W / 40.777°N 111.858°W |
| Spouse(s) | Lucy Lavinia Sackett Jemima Morris Laura Petra Lund Caroline Pratt Caroline Caisa |
| Children | 25 to 28 |
| Parents | Losee Van Cott Lovinia Jemima Pratt |
John Van Cott (born September 7, 1814, died February 18, 1883) was an important leader in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in several key roles, including as a member of the Quorum of the Seventy and as a mission president in Scandinavia.
Contents
Early Life and Joining the Church
John Van Cott was born in Canaan, New York. His family came from Dutch settlers who arrived in America in the 1600s. When John was 10 years old, his father passed away.
He first learned about The Book of Mormon and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from his cousin, Parley P. Pratt. Parley was an important leader in the Church. While some say John heard about the Church as early as 1833, he didn't join right away.
In 1835, John married Lucy Sackett. They had four children in New York. Lucy joined the Church in 1843. John himself was baptized by his cousin Parley P. Pratt around 1844 or 1845. The family moved to Nauvoo, a city built by early Church members. John helped by donating money to finish the Nauvoo Temple.
Pioneer Journeys and Church Service
In the winter of 1846, John Van Cott and his family stayed at a place called Winter Quarters. Here, he became good friends with Brigham Young, who was a key leader of the Church. John was chosen to be a bishop, which meant he helped care for the families of men who joined the Mormon Battalion. He became a Seventy on February 25, 1847.
As a Mormon pioneer, John traveled across the plains many times. In 1847, he, his wife, two children, and his mother journeyed to the Salt Lake Valley. John was a "captain of 10" in their group, helping to lead and organize. They arrived in the Salt Lake Valley on September 25.
After reaching the valley, Brigham Young asked John to go back and help other groups of pioneers who were struggling. He also helped explore the new lands. John Van Cott was chosen to be the very first marshal of Salt Lake City, which meant he was in charge of keeping order.
In 1852, John began a four-year assignment as the president of the Scandinavia Mission. This mission was based in Denmark. He was called to serve in this role again in 1859 for two and a half years. Because of his work there, he became very good at speaking Danish.
When he returned home to Utah, John Van Cott led a group of Church members from Scandinavia. They traveled by ship to the United States and then across the country to Salt Lake City.
In 1862, John Van Cott became one of the Seven Presidents of the Seventy, a very important leadership position. He passed away at his home near Salt Lake City on February 18, 1883, after being ill for several months.
Family Life
John Van Cott had a very large family. He had five wives and 28 children. His first child was born in 1838, and his last in 1878. Some of his children passed away young, but many grew up and became important members of their communities. Today, he has thousands of descendants.
Here are his wives and some of their children:
Lucy Lavina Sackett
Lucy was born on July 17, 1815, in New York. She married John on September 15, 1835. She passed away on January 31, 1902, in Salt Lake City.
- Martha Van Cott (1838–1908)
- Lucy Van Cott (1839–1843)
- John Losee Van Cott (1842–1843)
- Mary Van Cott (1844–1884), who married James Cobb and later Brigham Young.
- Losee Van Cott (1847–1851)
- Fannie Van Cott (1850–1930)
- Byron Van Cott (1852–1853)
Jemima Morris
Jemima was born on August 4, 1831, in England. She married John on May 2, 1849. She passed away on March 23, 1851, in Salt Lake City.
- Morris Van Cott (1851–1851)
Caroline Amelia Pratt
Caroline was born on January 20, 1840, in Michigan. She married John on February 12, 1857. She passed away on October 10, 1915, in Salt Lake City.
- Orson Van Cott (1859–1859)
- Anson Van Cott (1859–1859)
- Viola Van Cott (1860–1931)
- Oscar Van Cott (1863–1955)
- Marlon Van Cott (1867–1941)
- Ray Van Cott (1869–1944)
- Harold Van Cott (1873–1934)
- Edith Van Cott (1875–1941)
- Lavinia Van Cott (1877–1964)
Laura Christina Petra Lund
Laura was born on February 27, 1843, in Denmark. She married John on February 12, 1857. She passed away on December 1, 1913, in Salt Lake City.
- Agnes Van Cott (1858–1859)
- Waldemar Van Cott (1859–1940), who became a well-known lawyer in Salt Lake City.
- Frank Victor Van Cott (1863–1938)
- Lucy May Van Cott (1869–1958), who was a professor and the first dean of women at the University of Utah. A building there, Van Cott Hall, is named after her.
- Roy Van Cott (1872–1876)
- Ernest Van Cott (1875–1924), who was a prominent doctor in Salt Lake City.
Caroline Lena Caisa Erickson
Caroline was born on June 27, 1833, in Sweden. She married John on November 22, 1862. She passed away on November 14, 1901, in Salt Lake City.
- Selma Van Cott (1863–1935), who married William Whitaker Taylor (son of John Taylor).
- Nephi Van Cott (1865–1865)
- Albert Van Cott (1868–1959)
- Olive (or Olivia) Van Cott (1875–1935)
- Enoch Van Cott (1878–1952)
Images for kids
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Lavina Jemima Pratt Van Cott, John Van Cott's mother, 1787–1878
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Lucy Sackett, Wife of John Van Cott, 1815–1902
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Jemima Morris, Wife of John Van Cott, 1831–1851
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Laura Lund, Wife of John Van Cott, 1843–1913
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Caroline Pratt, Wife of John Van Cott 1840–1915
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Caroline Erickson, Wife of John Van Cott 1833–1901
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Mary Van Cott, daughter of John and Lucy Van Cott, 1844–1884
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Fannie Van Cott, daughter of John and Lucy Van Cott, 1850–1930
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Waldemar Van Cott, December 11, 1859 – January 15, 1940, son of John and Laura Van Cott. He was a prominent Salt Lake attorney.
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Frank Van Cott, son of John and Laura Van Cott, August 7, 1863 – August 17, 1938
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Lucy May Van Cott, daughter of John and Laura Van Cott, May 5, 1869 – September 28, 1957, professor at the University of Utah and the first dean of women there. Van Cott Hall is named in her honor.
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Ernest Van Cott, son of John and Laura Van Cott, December 18, 1875 – August 27, 1924. Prominent Salt Lake City doctor.
Other People Named John Van Cott
- A different John Van Cott was a fireman in Brooklyn, New York, in the late 1700s.
- John Waldemar Van Cott, a grandson of the John Van Cott in this article, was a professor at Brigham Young University. He also wrote books, including "Utah Place Names."
