While reading D&C 47 today, which discusses John Whitmer and his role as the Church's first historian, I remembered a very good biography (actually, two) that I wish to highly recommend:
Ronald E. Romig, Eighth witness: The Biography of John Whitmer (John Whitmer Books, 2014)
I was also reminded of a biography of another important figure in early LDS history who, like John Whitmer, was one of the eight witnesses of the Book of Mormon, that of William Smith, the prophet's youngest brother:
Kyle R. Walker, William B. Smith: In the Shadow of a Prophet (Greg Kofford Books, 2015)
