Dates

• Existence: 1809 - 1890

Biographical History

Wandle Mace (1809-1890) was a mechanical engineer who helped build the Nauvoo Temple, a veteran of the Battle of Nauvoo, and early pioneer for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in southern Utah.

Wandle Mace was born on February 19, 1809, in Johnstown, New York, to John Mace and Dinah Campbell. In his youth, his family moved to New York City and Wandle apprenticed with a blacksmith and later learned to make coaches, street sweepers, and other machines, receiving patents for some. On November 9, 1828, Wandle married Margaret Merklee, and they had at twelve children together, only four living to adulthood.

Wandle Mace grew up attending the Presbyterian Church. In the 1830s, he learned about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was baptized by Parley P. Pratt in the winter of 1837-1838. On September 11, 1838, Wandle and his family, including three children, left for Missouri to join the Saints there. They arrived in Illinois in November 1838, just to hear that the Saints were being forced out of Missouri. So, Wandle and Margaret living in Quincy, Illinois, until moved north to Nauvoo in 1842.

While in Nauvoo, Wandle used his skills in mechanics to build and repair mills and a foundry, and eventually was called to help build the Nauvoo Temple by building cranes to hoist stones up on the temple walls. He also supervised the timber work and various other jobs. He labored on the temple even during times of persecution, until it was finished and dedicated. He was also a member of the Nauvoo Legion. Wandle and his family were in Nauvoo in September 1846 when a mob attacked the city in what is known as the Battle of Nauvoo, and Wandle fought in some of the battles. They left Nauvoo on September 16, 1846, and settled in Keokuk, Iowa. While in Iowa, Wandle and Margaret would lose one daughter, and bear two sons, both who died within a year of birth. Margaret would also succumb to illness and passed away on June 13, 1854. On her deathbed, she asked Wandle to marry Rebecca Howell, a girl they hired from England. Wandle and Rebecca were married on June 18, 1854.

Wandle Mace, Rebecca and two of their children left for Utah on June 28, 1859, traveling with the Edward Stevenson Company. They reached the Salt Lake Valley on September 16, 1859.

Once in Utah, Wandle moved to Southern Utah, and lived in Cedar City and St. George. He was eventually called to settle Kanab, Utah, where he lived until his death on August 10, 1890.

Citation:

UPB files, March 10, 2017 (Wandle Mace (1809-1890). Wandle Mace was born on February 19, 1809, in Johnstown, New York, to John Mace and Dinah Campbell. In his youth, his family moved to New York City and Wandle apprenticed with a blacksmith and later learned to make coaches, street sweepers, and other machines, receiving patents for some. On November 9, 1828, Wandle married Margaret Merklee, and they had at twelve children together, only four living to adulthood. Wandle Mace grew up attending the Presbyterian Church. In the 1830s, he learned about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was baptized by Parley P. Pratt in the winter of 1837-1838. On September 11, 1838, Wandle and his family, including three children, left for Missouri to join the Saints there. They arrived in Illinois in November 1838, just to hear that the Saints were being forced out of Missouri. So, Wandle and Margaret living in Quincy, Illinois, until moved north to Nauvoo in 1842. While in Nauvoo, Wandle used his skills in mechanics to build and repair mills and a foundry, and eventually was called to help build the Nauvoo Temple by building cranes to hoist stones up on the temple walls. He also supervised the timber work and various other jobs. He labored on the temple even during times of persecution, until it was finished and dedicated. He was also a member of the Nauvoo Legion. Wandle and his family were in Nauvoo in September 1846 when a mob attacked the city in what is known as the Battle of Nauvoo, and Wandle fought in some of the battles. They left Nauvoo on September 16, 1846, and settled in Keokuk, Iowa. While in Iowa, Wandle and Margaret would lose one daughter, and bear two sons, both who died within a year of birth. Margaret would also succumb to illness and passed away on June 13, 1854. On her deathbed, she asked Wandle to marry Rebecca Howell, a girl they hired from England. Wandle and Rebecca were married on June 18, 1854. Wandle Mace, Rebecca and two of their children left for Utah on June 28, 1859, traveling with the Edward Stevenson Company. They reached the Salt Lake Valley on September 16, 1859. Once in Utah, Wandle moved to Southern Utah, and lived in Cedar City and St. George. He was eventually called to settle Kanab, Utah, where he lived until his death on August 10, 1890)

Found in 1 Collection or Record: