Rosemead in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

John Cleminson

(1799–1879)

— Savannah Memorial Park —

John Cleminson Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, December 1, 2018

1. John Cleminson Marker

Inscription. A native of England, he came to New Brunswick in 1812 and then into the U.S., first settling in Kentucky. As a Mormon living in Missouri in 1838, he was sent as an emissary to negotiate with an army that was either going to kill all Mormons or move them out of Missouri. The Mormons left, but, disagreeing with a secret and violent Mormon group called the Danites, John stayed in Missouri and testified against Joseph Smith. John and his family came to California in 1851 and engaged in farming.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Churches & Religion • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1812.

Location. 34° 4.894′ N, 118° 4.042′ W. Marker is in Rosemead, California, in Los Angeles County. Marker can be reached from Valley Boulevard east of Loma Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 9263 Valley Blvd, Rosemead CA 91770, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. James Divine Durfee (here, next to this marker); John Holt (a few steps from this marker); Mary Alice Rogers (a few steps from this marker); John Guess Sr. (a few steps from this marker); James E. Henry (a few steps from this marker); Siege Mortar

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(within shouting distance of this marker); John Guess, Jr. (within shouting distance of this marker); Lester Burdick (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rosemead.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.

Also see . . .
1. RootsWeb Entry for John James Cleminson. Excerpt:

John was involved with the Missouri Mormon war of 1838. There was a lot of blame on both sides for this conflict and there were many killings. At one time John was sent as an emissary from the Mormon side to negotiate with an army coming to Caldwell County which was either going to kill everyone or get them to move out of Missouri. John and Lydia were friends of some of the non-Mormons and were offered a chance to escape the Mormon town of Far West before war started but they decided to stay with their friends. After much negotiation, including the agreement of the Mormons to sell all their lands and leave Missouri, they surrendered. The Mormon leaders, including Joseph Smith, were brought to trial. John disagreed with a secret and violent Mormon group, called the Danites, which had caused most of the problems
Photographed By J. J. Prats, December 1, 2018

2. John Cleminson Gravestone and Marker
which led up to the war, and he testified against the Mormon Danites in 1838.

(Submitted on August 11, 2020.)

2. Wikipedia entry for the Danites. Excerpt:

Earlier in the band's existence, Joseph Smith appeared to endorse the group's actions, but later turned against them as violence increased and the actions of the Danites inspired a hysteria in Missouri that eventually led to the [Missouri Governor’s Mormon] Extermination Order. According to an essay on the website of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, “Historians generally concur that Joseph Smith approved of the Danites but that he probably was not briefed on all their plans and likely did not sanction the full range of their activities.”

(Submitted on August 11, 2020.)

John James Cleminson (1798–1879) image. Click for full size.

Tintype via RootsWeb.com

3. John James Cleminson (1798–1879)

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 10, 2020, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 198 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 10, 2020, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.