Dates

• Existence: 1862 - 1936

Biographical History

Harden Bennion (1862-1936) was as farmer, postmaster, and politician. He served as Secretary of State of Utah from 1916 to 1920.

Harden Bennion was born Taylorsville, Utah territory on October 7, 1862. At the age of six, his family was called to settle to present day West Point, Nevada by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. For five years, Bennion and his family raised cattle and sheep before moving back to Utah. In 1878, Bennion began studying at the University of Deseret (now the University of Utah) where he received a teaching certificate, and then went on to herd sheep and farm in Vernon, Utah. In 1893, Bennion married Vilate Kimball Nebeker, and they moved to Vernal, Utah where he served as the manager of the Ashley Cooperative Mercantile Institution and was involved in organizing the Bank of Vernal. He also served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the town of Vernal and town clerk. When Vernal became a city, Bennion was elected a member of the city council and held the position of postmaster. In 1898, Bennion was elected to the State Senate. In 1916, he was elected Secretary of State of Utah and worked with Joseph R. Murdock to found the Wasatch Livestock Loan Company. In 1924, Bennion became the head of the Utah Democratic Party. From 1925 to 1933 he was Utah Commissioner of Agriculture. He died on October 12, 1936.

Citation:

Latter-Day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia, vol. 4, via WWW, July 26, 2021 (Harden Bennion was born Taylorsville, Utah territory on October 7, 1862. At six, family was called to settle to present day West Point, Nevada by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. For five years, Bennion and his family raised cattle and sheep before moving back to Utah. In 1878, began studying at the University of Deseret (now the University of Utah) where he received a teaching certificate, and then went on to herd sheep and farm in Vernon, Utah. In 1893, married Vilate Kimball Nebeker, and they moved to Vernal, Utah where he served as the manager of the Ashley Cooperative Mercantile Institution and was involved in organizing the Bank of Vernal. Served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the town of Vernal and town clerk. When Vernal became a city, elected a member of the city council and held the position of postmaster. In 1898, elected to the State Senate. In 1916, elected Secretary of State of Utah and worked with Joseph R. Murdock to found the Wasatch Livestock Loan Company. In 1924, became the head of the Utah Democratic Party. From 1925 to 1933 was Utah Commissioner of Agriculture. He died on October 12, 1936.

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