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McMaster, John Brigham, Bishop of the First Ward, Brigham City, Box Elder Stake of Zion, is a son of Wm. A. McMaster and Margaret D. Ferguson and was born Aug. 17, 1843, at Dumfermline, Fifeshire, Scotland. He was baptized into the Church Aug. 25, 1851, by Wm. Stewart. His ordinations to the priesthood are as follows: Ordained a Deacon when but a youth; an Elder Nov. 27, 1861, by Bishop Alexander McRae; a Seventy by Justin C. Wixon Feb. 21, 1884; a High Priest June 25, 1896, by Apostle Lorenzo Snow, and was at the same time ordained a Bishop and set apart to preside as such over the First Ward of Brigham City, in which position he has continued ever since. During 1895 and 1896 he filled a mission to Great Britain, laboring mostly in Scotland. He married Elizabeth Forrest Dec. 27, 1869, and Vere Forrest Feb. 18, 1887, who have borne him seven children, six of whom are living. His activity as a Church worker will be seen by the following: For several years he was a Sunday school teacher and superintendent; served as counselor in the Mutual Improvement Association presidency; was a Ward teacher and clerk of the Ward, and since 1896 has served as Bishop of Brigham City First Ward. In 1861 he went to the Missouri river with an ox-train to bring emigrants to Salt Lake Valley. He learned the carpenter's trade and followed it twenty-five years. In 1888 he formed the partnership of McMaster & Forsgren, dealers in lumber and hardware, Brigham City, in which business he is still engaged. In civil affairs he has served as justice of the peace in Brigham City, also as county treasurer and county commissioner of Box Elder county, in all of which capacities he acquitted himself ably and satisfactorily. He was a member of the militia in early days and achieved the rank of lieutenant. Bro. McMasters' emigration to Utah occurred in 1851 and he located in Salt Lake City but since 1869 has resided in Brigham City. Andrew Jenson, Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia: A Compilation of Biographical Sketches of Prominent Men and Women in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 4 vols. Salt Lake City 2:64 |
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