Shadrach Roundy

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Jan. 1, 1788 - Jul. 4, 1872

When about twenty-five years old he married Betsy Quimby, of Essex county,  Vermont, who bore him ten children -- four sons and six daughters. He moved with his family to Onondago county, New York, and there heard of the gospel being revealed to Joseph Smith. In the winter of 1830-31 he left his home and traveled on horseback to see the Prophet Joseph, who then resided at Fayette, Seneca, New York. After having an interview with the Prophet, he was baptized and became an honorable member of the Church. His wife and those of his children who were old enough also embraced the gospel about the same time. April 16, 1836, in Kirtland, Ohio, where the main body of the Church was then in conference assembled, he received a license to preach the gospel, having previously been ordained an Elder. Subsequently, he removed to Missouri, where he shared with the Saints in their persecutions, and afterward located temporarily in Warsaw, Illinois.

About the year 1840 he removed to Nauvoo, where he served as a captain of police. In times of imminent danger and persecutions he acted as special guard around the person of the Prophet Joseph. On several occasions he was on duty without intermission, for many days and nights, without sleep or rest. His love for the Prophet was so great that he would have given his own life freely in defense of his beloved friend and brother.

On one occasion, when the Prophet had been forewarned that he was in  danger, he sent for Brother Roundy and told him to pick a trusty man to be on guard with  him at his house, as a party was coming that night by water to kidnap him. Brother Roundy selected Josiah Arnold and placed him on guard at the gate, with orders to admit no one, while he himself took his beat by the river, but on hearing a noise he hastily repaired to the gate and found William Law inside the gate and others in the act of entering. Brother Roundy, who had a hickory walking cane in his hand, quickly took hold of it at each end, and pressing it against the men forced them back outside, and then fastened the gate. William Law endeavored to explain that the men who were with him were gentlemen merchants, who wanted to see the mummies that Joseph Smith had purchased from Michael Chandler. Brother Roundy replied that if they were gentlemen they should come at gentlemen's hours. William Law insisted that Brother Joseph would admit them, as they would pay $10 in pocket money, there being about forty of them; the admission fee was 25 cents for each. On their agreeing not to try to enter while he was gone, Brother Roundy went to Joseph's room. The Prophet, who had overheard the conversation, told Elder Roundy to go back and tell the strangers as a message from him what he (Roundy) had already told them himself. Thus was the Prophet's life and property preserved by the courage and fidelity of Elder Roundy and his associate.

Elder Roundy came to Great Salt Lake valley as one of the pioneers of 1847, and was one of the three men who plowed the first furrow in Great Salt Lake valley. He was a member of the first High Council in the Salt Lake Stake of Zion, and also a member of the first Territorial legislature. He crossed the plains five times to bring poor emigrants to the Valley, was a captain of the "Silver Greys," and one of the first settlers in the 16th ward, where he presided as Bishop from April 14, 1849, until 1856. He had previously been called to the Bishopric by revelation (D&C Sec. 124, Verse 141). Bishop Roundy died a true and faithful member of the Church.

Biography from Tracy Stocking

Photo of grave marker stolen from Findagrave.com until I can get out and take my own photo.
Grave marker and map to follow.