John Steele (pioneer)
Born in Ireland, after converting to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Glasgow, Steele and his wife emigrated to Nauvoo, Illinois.
He practiced as an unorthodox physician in Toquerville, using herbs, astrology, and aspects of magic to treat patients.
He could no longer practice in Utah after physician licences were required, but his knowledge of astrology and broken bone setting were still desired.
[3] John Steele's boot and shoe business in Belfast failed in 1840 because of poor economic conditions, which caused him to move to Glasgow, Scotland, to seek different employment.
[3] John Steele and his family left for New Orleans in the United States on January 21, 1845, on the ship Palmyra.
Instead of traveling to California through Santa Fe, Steele was directed to go to Salt Lake City with the other Latter-day Saint.
[6] Skilled in masonry, Steele claimed to have built one-third of the first fort in Salt Lake City.
His crops were ruined by the cattle of incoming pioneers; however, his family was able to survive on cornmeal and trading milk products from their cow.
[3] Steele was made Lieutenant of the Light Infantry Company and the leader of ten wagons in the "Iron Battalion".
They faced frostbite, freezing temperatures, and a minor irritations from Native Americans during their travels to southern Utah.
His daughter Susann was born April 28, and Steele was elected town marshal on May 24, serving for two years.
[3] John C. Frémont and his party, starving on their way to California, stopped in Parowan on February 8, 1854, and stayed for three weeks.
Fremont's report in the National Intelligencer reported he learned that the “route down the Virgin River had been examined the year before with a view to settlement this summer by a Mormon exploring party under the Command of Major Steele of Parawan, who (and others of the party) informed me that they found fertile valleys inhabited by Indians who cultivated corn and melons, and the rich ground in many places matted over with grape vines.” [3] Steele's main duty as county recorder was to record the Latter-day Saints' consecration deeds.
Steele and the other missionaries started a fort and a garden in Las Vegas, through which many settlers and Native Americans passed.
One of Thomson's theories was that elimination of toxins was key to curing patients; calomel was sometimes used to induce vomiting.
[2]: 75 He considered himself a veterinarian, using an herbal "horse taming" mixture,[2]: 75–76 and was known for his ability to set broken bones.
[2]: 88 In his old age, John Steele regularly attended LDS Church services, and worked in the St. George Utah Temple.
[2]: 90 The John Steele House in Toquerville was added to the National Register of Historic Places on April 7, 1988.
