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Wells, Daniel H. (Daniel Hanmer), 1814-1891

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1814 - 1891

Biography

Daniel H. Wells (1814–1891) was an apostle of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the third mayor of Salt Lake City, Utah Territory.

Daniel Hanmer Wells was born in Trenton, New York, on October 27, 1814, to Daniel Wells and Catherine Chapin. He and his family moved to Illinois after the death of his father in 1826, and arrived in Hancock County, Illinois in 1835. While in Illinois, Wells married Eliza Rebecca Robison in 1837, and they had one son.

Wells became a major landowner and justice of the peace in Commerce, Illinois, prior to the arrival of a large number of Latter-day Saints in 1839. Although not a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints until 1846, Wells defended the Church against its opponents and was a great friend of the Church and its leaders. In 1848 he emigrated to the Salt Lake Valley with other pioneers. His wife, Eliza, refused to join him, and later they were divorced. Between 1849 and 1852, Wells married six additional wives: Louisa Free, with whom he had eight children; Martha Givens Harris, with whom he had seven children; Lydia Ann Alley, with whom he had six children; Susan Hannah Alley, with whom he had four children; Hannah Corilla Free, with whom he had eight children; and Emmeline Blanche Woodward Harris Whitney, with whom he had three children. Louisa Free, Hannah Free, and Emmeline Whitney were all previously married and divorced or widowed. Each had one or more children whom Wells adopted and reared as his own. Emmeline B. Wells would become the fifth General Relief Society president in 1910, and was a advocate for women's suffrage.

Wells was active in both ecclesiastical and civic roles. From 1848 to 1863, Wells was superintendent of public works for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and presided over the construction of the Salt Lake Temple and Tabernacle. In 1849 Wells was elected Attorney General of the State of Deseret. He was ordained an apostle of the Church in 1856 upon the death of Jedidiah M. Grant, and set apart as Second Counselor to Brigham Young in the First Presidency. Wells was never sustained as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, although he served as a Counselor to the Quorum upon Young's death in 1877. In 1866 he was elected mayor of Salt Lake City, and re-elected in both 1872 and 1874. Wells served twice as president of the European Mission of the Church, first in 1864-1865 and again in 1884-1887.

Daniel H. Wells died in Salt Lake City, Utah, March 24, 1891 at the age of 76.

Citation:
Wikipedia, via WWW, Feb. 11, 2019 (Daniel Hanmer Wells. b. in Trenton, New York, on October 27, 1814, to Daniel Wells and Catherine Chapin; moved to Illinois after the death of his father in 1826; arrived in Hancock County, Illinois in 1835; married Eliza Rebecca Robison in 1837, and they had one son; became a major landowner and justice of the peace in Commerce, Illinois; not a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints until 1846; defended the Church against its opponents and was a great friend of the Church and its leaders; in 1848 emigrated to the Salt Lake Valley; wife, Eliza, refused to join him, and later they were divorced; between 1849 and 1852, married six additional wives: Louisa Free, with whom he had eight children; Martha Givens Harris, with whom he had seven children; Lydia Ann Alley, with whom he had six children; Susan Hannah Alley, with whom he had four children; Hannah Corilla Free, with whom he had eight children; and Emmeline Blanche Woodward Harris Whitney, with whom he had three children; Louisa Free, Hannah Free, and Emmeline Whitney were all previously married and divorced or widowed; each had one or more children whom Wells adopted and reared as his own; Emmeline B. Wells would become the fifth General Relief Society president in 1910, and was a advocate for women's suffrage; from 1848 to 1863, was superintendent of public works for the Church and presided over the construction of the Salt Lake Temple and Tabernacle; in 1849 elected Attorney General of the State of Deseret; was ordained an apostle of the Church in 1856 upon the death of Jedidiah M. Grant, and set apart as Second Counselor to Brigham Young in the First Presidency; never sustained as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, although he served as a Counselor to the Quorum upon Young's death in 1877; in 1866 he was elected mayor of Salt Lake City, and re-elected in both 1872 and 1874; served twice as president of the European Mission of the Church, first in 1864-1865 and again in 1884-1887; d. in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1891 at the age of 76)

Latter-day Saint biographical encyclopedia, 1901:vol. 1, p. 62 ("Wells, Daniel Hanmer"; "Daniel H."; b. 27 October 1814, Trenton, New York) p. 65-66 (d. 24 March 1891, Salt Lake City, Utah)

Lewis Robison correspondence, 1857 Apr.-Aug.("Mr D H Wells")

Found in 12 Collections and/or Records:

First Presidency circular

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230340256]
Identifier: MSS 101
Abstract

The folder contains a printed circular addressed "To the Bishop and the Board of the United Order in Your Ward." The item requests that food and tools be sent to St. George, Utah to assist in the construction of the Mormon temple there. The item was endorsed by Brigham Young, George A. Smith, and Daniel H. Wells.

Dates: 1874

Ansil Perse Harmon letter of introduction

 Collection — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197233284949]
Identifier: Vault MSS 122
Scope and Contents

Printed and signed letter of introduction for Ansil P. Harmon who was going on a mission for the Mormon Church.

Dates: 1874

Daniel H. Wells indenture

 Collection — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197233283420]
Identifier: Vault MSS 43
Scope and Contents

Handwritten indenture dated 24 May 1842 between Wells and Wilson Law relating to a sale of land in Nauvoo, Illinois.

Dates: 1842 May 24

Mormon Church in Hawaii

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230318369]
Identifier: MSS SC 1962
Scope and Contents

Photocopies of correspondence, reports, histories, petitions, resolutions, and miscellaneous items relating to the Mormon Church in Hawaii. Most of the materials are associated with missionary work, and most date from the nineteenth century. A few items are in the Hawaiian language. One letter was written by the Mormon prophet, Brigham Young (1801-1877), and several letters are addressed to Daniel H. Wells, the Mormon apostle.

Dates: 1851-1976

Priesthood blessing upon Lucy P. Russel

 File — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS SC 2900
Scope and Contents

A blessing given by Joseph F. Smith to Lucy P. Russel, with Daniel H. Wells assisting, setting her apart for calling as a midwife in Utah. Smith was the 2nd Counselor in the Mormon Church's First Presidencey at the time of the blessing.

Dates: 1881

Lewis Robison correspondence

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS SC 2911
Scope and Contents Two letters addressed to, and one written by, Robison at Fort Bridger in 1857. The earliest, written by Louis Vasquez on April 30, informs Robison that Vasquez and Jim Bridger will send someone to collect balance due on purchase of the fort. On verso is Robison's May 27 letter to Daniel H. Wells, forwarding the Vasquez letter. Robison also informs Wells that he has started building a wall around the fort and visited Green River to get boats in order. The latest letter is from Brigham...
Dates: 1857

Ammon M. Tenney papers

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230320480]
Identifier: MSS SC 2214
Scope and Contents

Handwritten correspondence, certificates, patriarchal blessings, family histories, and genealogies. The items relate to Ammon M. Tenney and to other members of the Tenney family. The letters and certificates are from prominent Mormon Church leaders.

Dates: 1874-1942

Daniel H. Wells letter

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230318682]
Identifier: MSS SC 2003
Scope and Contents

One handwritten letter to Frank Fuller, acting governor of Utah, regarding two acts of the Utah legislature. The acts were a "Memorial to Congress for semi-weekly mail service from Fillmore to San Bernadino, Cal." and a "Memorial to Congress for an Act authorizing treaties with Indians, and the extinguishment of the Indian titles." These items were forwarded to Fuller for his "action."

Dates: 1862

Daniel H. Wells papers

 Collection — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197239135541]
Identifier: MSS 9637
Scope and Contents Two photocopies of original handwritten letters written by Daniel H. Wells. Typed transcripts of both letters are also included. The first letter was written on September 26, 1848, from Salt Lake City by Daniel Wells to "dear brother." He discusses sending his two yoke of oxen to a camp in addition to assistance from others. The second letter was written on April 26th, 1852, and is titled "Special Order No. 1" and is signed by Lieutenant General D. H. Wells, James Ferguson, Adjutant General....
Dates: 1848-1852

Emmeline B. Wells collection

 Collection
Identifier: Vault MSS 805
Scope and Contents The collection contains correspondence of Emmeline B. Wells, 1898-1923; papers and poems either by or about Emmeline B. Wells; a certificate to the Columbian Exposition in 1893; handwritten documents written by Emmeline B. Wells or family; priesthood blessings; photocopies of photographs; original and typescript of ledger book (Emmeline B. Wells' copy with marginal notes) recording Utah Suffrage Association membership and "Relief Society Minutes, Nauvoo, 1842-1844;" diaries of Emmeline B....
Dates: 1842-1923

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