Dates

• Existence: 1863 - 1960

Biographical History

John Mills Whitaker (1863-1960) was a business and writing teacher at the University of Deseret.

John Mills Whitaker was born October 16, 1863, in Centerville, Utah, to Elizabeth Mills and Thomas William Whitaker. He married Ida Oakley on September 21, 1886, in Logan, Utah. From 1897 to 1900 he served as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Eastern States Mission. John was appointed as the first business teacher at the University of Deseret (now University of Utah) and was one of the first seminary teachers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. John also taught shorthand and letter-writing, typing, and phonetics. At age 56, he earned a degree from the University of Utah. John was also instrumental in establishing the first library in Salt Lake City. He died April 2, 1960.

Citation:

His Daily journal, 1878-1949.

Information from 678 converted Dec. 18, 2014(General secretary of the General Sunday School Board of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints)

Church History Biographical Database, via www, accessed November 22, 2023 (born October 16, 1863; parents Elizabeth Mills and Thomas William Whitaker; married Ida Oakley Taylor on September 21, 1886; served in the Eastern States Mission from 1897 to 1900; died April 2, 1960)https://history.churchofjesuschrist.org/chd/individual/john-mills-whitaker-1863?lang=eng

FamilySearch, accessed November 22, 2023 (married in Logan, Utah; born in Centerville, Utah; appointed as the first business teacher at the University of Deseret (now University of Utah), one of the first seminary teachers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Taught shorthand and letter-writing, typing, and phonetics. At age 56, earned a degree from the University of Utah; instrumental in establishing the first library in Salt Lake City)