Skip to main content

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 28 Collections and/or Records:

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

Daniel H. Wells temple records

 Collection — Box 1: [Barcode: 31197232480464]
Identifier: MSS 1561
Scope and Contents

This collection consists of books recording the temple work completed for the ancestors of Wells. They include listings of the Wells, Welles, Chapin, Kellog, and numerous other families. The materials show individuals' names, birth and death dates, the temple ordinances performed, and by whom and when these temple rites were conducted. Some of the names are of persons living as early as the Middle Ages.

Dates: 1867-1932

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

Brigham Young letter

 File — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS SC 747
Scope and Contents

Handwritten and signed letter, dated 13 Feb. 1850, and addressed to Daniel H. Wells, commander in chief of the Utah Militia. Young gives advice to Wells about a military campaign.

Dates: 1850 February 13

Brigham Young letter

 Item — Multiple Containers
Identifier: Vault MSS 14
Scope and Contents

Handwritten and signed letter, dated September 12, 1857, and addressed to Philo Taylor Farnsworth, Mormon bishop in Beaver, Utah. Young writes to Farnsworth about the declaration of martial law. The item was also signed by Daniel H. Wells. Also included is a printed typescript and facsimile of the item made in 1963.

Dates: 1857 September 12

Additional filters:

Type
Collection 27
Archival Object 1
 
Subject
Letters 12
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints 8
Politics, Government, and Law 6
Certificates 4
Immigration and American Expansion 4
∨ more
Nauvoo (Ill.) -- History 4
Church Government 3
Civil Procedure and Courts 3
Correspondence 3
Histories (Literary works) 3
Material Types 3
Military 3
Missions and Missionaries 3
Photographs 3
Utah -- History 3
Diaries 2
Expeditions and Adventure 2
Genealogies 2
Home and Family 2
Latter Day Saint churches -- Presidents -- Correspondence 2
Latter Day Saints -- Illinois -- Nauvoo -- History 2
Military orders 2
Pioneers 2
Religion 2
Saint George (Utah) -- History 2
Salt Lake City (Utah) 2
Salt Lake City (Utah) -- History 2
Social Life and Customs 2
Women -- Suffrage -- Utah 2
Account books 1
Agreements 1
Arizona -- History 1
Autobiographies 1
Business, Industry, Labor, and Commerce 1
California -- History 1
Church officers -- Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints -- Correspondence 1
Deeds 1
Drafts (Documents) 1
Echo Canyon (Utah) 1
Engravings 1
Genealogy 1
Hancock County (Ill.) -- History 1
Hawaii -- History 1
Illustrations 1
Indians of North America -- Arizona 1
Indians of North America -- Land tenure -- Utah -- History -- Sources 1
Land tenure -- Utah -- Salt Lake City -- History -- Sources 1
Latter Day Saint churches -- Apostles 1
Latter Day Saint churches -- Illinois -- Nauvoo -- History 1
Latter Day Saint churches -- Missions -- Hawaii 1
Latter Day Saint churches -- Missions -- History 1
Latter Day Saint churches -- Presidents 1
Latter Day Saint churches -- Presidents -- History 1
Latter Day Saint families -- Utah 1
Latter Day Saint missionaries -- England -- Portraits 1
Latter Day Saint pioneers 1
Latter Day Saint pioneers -- History 1
Latter Day Saint women -- Utah -- History 1
Latter Day Saints -- Arizona -- History 1
Latter Day Saints -- Hawaii -- History 1
Latter Day Saints -- Nevada -- History -- Sources 1
Latter Day Saints -- Utah -- Saint George -- History 1
Latter Day Saints -- Utah -- Salt Lake City -- History 1
Legal instruments 1
Lists 1
Mayors -- Utah -- Salt Lake City -- History 1
Medicine and Health 1
Midwives -- Utah -- History -- Sources 1
Military administration -- Utah -- History -- Sources 1
Mothers -- Nevada -- History 1
Nauvoo (Ill.) 1
Nauvoo (Ill.) -- History -- 19th century 1
Ogden (Utah) 1
Petitions 1
Photocopies 1
Portraits 1
Postal service -- United States -- History -- Sources 1
Provo (Utah) 1
Receipts (Acknowledgments) 1
Reports 1
Retail trade 1
Science, Technology, and Health 1
Snowflake (Ariz.) -- History 1
Temple work (Latter Day Saint doctrine) -- History -- Sources 1
Utah -- Emigration and immigration -- History 1
Utah -- History -- 19th century 1
Utah -- Politics and government 1
Warrants (Law) 1
Women painters -- Utah 1
Women poets 1
+ ∧ less