David W. Patten

David W. Patten was one of the original Twelve Apostles who died in 1838, becoming the first apostolic martyr. A New England native and early convert, Patten was zealous in his faith.

Patten was killed at the Battle of Crooked River during the Missouri Mormon War. He was shot leading a company of Mormons attempting to rescue prisoners held by Missouri militia. Joseph Smith later named him a martyr.

His death at age 38 made him one of the earliest high-profile Mormon casualties of religious persecution. He served only three years as an apostle.