Ray County, Missouri Obituaries - Whitmer, David John b. January 7, 1805, d. June 15, 1895 also see obit: Source: Ray County Conservator Biographical. David John Whitmer was the only son of the late David and Julia Ann Whitmer. His parents were natives of the state of New York. His father, David Whitmer, was born in Seneca county, New York, January 7th, 1805, and his mother, Julia Ann Jolly, was born in that state February 7th, 1815. They were married January 9th, 1831, and not a great while afterwards moved to Missouri. Of this union there were born two children, David J. subject of this sketch, who was born in Clay county, Missouri, on the 27th day of November, 1833, and Julia Ann, born at Kirtland, Ohio, July the 28th, 1835, who is yet living and whose name is now Julia Ann Schweich. When the subject of this article was yet a small boy his parents moved to Richmond, where his father engaged in business. When David J. reached his majority he entered into partnership with his father in the livery and stock business and the firm was known as David Whitmer and Son for many years. When his father grew too old to look after the business it was turned over to his son, who continued to manage it successfully for a number of years. In the year 1888 he retired from business leaving his nephew, Geo. W.L. Schwiech, in charge, who continued the business for quite a while under the name of the Whitmer Livery Company. On the sixth day of November, 1861, David J. Whitmer was united in marriage to Miss Sylvia R. Stockwell, of Ray county, but because of some misunderstanding they separated and remained so for thirty years, and in the meantime were divorced, but the fires of love continued to burn in their hearts, a reconciliation was effected and on the seventh day of July, 1892, they were again united in marriage, and since that time have resided at the old Whitmer homestead in this city. He leaves many relatives to mourn his loss, among whom is his widow and four step-children, viz: David G. Fowler, Edson B. Fowler, Alice B. Fowler and Sylvia R. Fowler the two first residing in Atchison Kan., and the latter two in this city. He also leaves a sister, Mrs. Julia Ann Schweich, a nephew, Geo. W.L. Schweich, both of this city, and a niece, Josephine Helen Schweich, now Mrs. J.R.B. Vancleve, of Chicago, Ill., besides many other relatives. His father, David Whitmer, died on the first day of January, 1888, and his mother, Julia Ann Whitmer, died on the twenty-fifth day of February, 1889. David Whitmer was the last of the three witnesses who claimed to have been present when the angel delivered to Joseph Smith the plates of gold upon which was inscribed the record of the Nephites, and he was the custodian, as he claimed, by Divine command of the original manuscript of the Record of the Nephites, (or what is commonly known as the Book of Morman,) and upon his death his son, David J., was made the custodian by lineal descent, and upon his death this interesting manuscript, which has been held sacred by the family for so many years, falls into the hands of G.W.L. Schweich, of this city, who is the only grandson of David Whitmer, its original custodian. Mr. Schwiech is a young man of ability and will preserve this interesting and aged document with as much care as it had been guarded by his grandfather for the past half century, and it will be transmitted to posterity and cherished, if possible more in the future than in the past by those who adhere to its teachings and doctrines. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Jenna Zunker USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free genealogical information on the Internet, data may be freely used for personal research and by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for profit or any form of presentation, must obtain the written consent of the file submitter, or their legal representative, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ------------------------------------------------------------------------