Tarlton Lewis converted to the LDS faith in 1836, was wounded in the massacre at Haun's Mill, Missouri, in 1838, moved to Illinois, was set apart as bishop of Nauvoo 4th Ward, and helped build the Nauvoo Temple. He was a captain of fifty in the first Pioneer Company to enter the Salt Lake Valley in 1847, became the first LDS bishop of Salt Lake City, helped establish the towns of Parawon and Minersville, Utah, served as bishop of Parawon and Richfield 2nd Wards, and died at the home of his son Beason in Teasdale, Utah.