Kanosh (Pahvant Chief)

Kanosh (1821 – December 24, 1884) was a nineteenth century leader of the Pahvant band of the Ute Indians.

It is believed Kanosh was born in Spanish Fork Canyon, but this is not certain. [Dixon, Madeline Cloward. "Peteetneet Town: A History of Payson, Utah" (Provo: Free Publishing Ltm., 1974) p. 103]

Kanosh invited the Mormons to come and settle in his area where they founded the town of Kanosh.

Kanosh joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In 1874 Kanosh was ordained an elder by Dimick B. Huntington. [Jenson, Andrew. "Encyclopedic History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints", p. 390] He was one of the very earliest Native Americans to receive the endowment. [Peterson, John A. "Kanosh" in Garr, Arnold K., Donald Q. Cannon and Richard O. Cowan, "Encyclopedia of Latter-day Saint History" (Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book, 2000) p. 600]

Kanosh met with Brigham Young on September 1, 1857 to discuss strategy in relation to the Utah War. [ [http://farms.byu.edu/display.php?table=review&id=509 A Trial Lawyer Reviews Will Bagley's Blood of the Prophets - FARMS Review ] ] Young authorized Kanosh and his followers to steal cattle from emigrants passing through Utah Territory.

One of Kanosh's wives was Sally, a Southern Paiute who had been raised in Young's household. This relationship is a key part of why Kanosh's band worked so closely with the Latter-day Saints. [Garr. "LDS History". p. 600-601] Another of Kanosh's wives was a Piute named Mary who had been raised by Latter-day Saints in Payson, Utah Territory. [Dixon. "Peteetneet Town". p. 103] Kanosh built a regular cabin for her, whereas his other three wives lived in wikiups. [Dixon. "Peteetneet Town". p. 103]

Kanosh and his fellow Pahvant's were the only large group of Utes who did not participate in the Black Hawk War. [Garr. "LDS History". p. 601]

Kanosh died at the town of Kanosh, Utah Territory. [Dixon. "Peteetneet Town". p. 103]

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