Nathan Tanner (Mormon Pioneer)

Nathan Tanner, Senior, was the son of John tanner and his second wife, Lydia Stuart Tanner. He was born in Greenwich, Washington County, New York, May 14, 1815. The early life of Nathan as a boy, was very closely associated with that of his father who imposed upon his son a variety of responsibilities. He was among the first to receive the gospel in this dispensation. At the time of his death, he was perhaps the oldest L.D.S. Church member, having lived eighty years from the time he was baptized.

At one time he was the only member of Zion's Camp. He traveled with the Prophet and assisted Zerubbabel Snow of the Commissary Department. He was with the Prophet on one occasion when the latter was wrapt in vision, and saw in vision the future of the country over which they were traveling. When a boy, he filled a mission with his brother-in-law, Amasa Lyman, in the Eastern States. At the old home in Bolton, he married Rachel Winter Smith in 1836.

He suffered from mob violence that tried so severely the Saints both in Kirtland and in Missouri. After occupying a prominent position among those who were driven to Nauvoo, he was chosen by the prophet Joseph as one of the explorers to accompany him to the Rocky Mountains. With his brother John and Loyal Souls, he was among those awaiting the Prophet on the night of June 22, 1844, when they crossed the Mississippi River preparatory to proceeding westward. Joseph and Hyrum returned to Nauvoo and their martyrdom followed.

He lived in Adams County, Illinois, for about one year, then moved to Montrose opposite Nauvoo until the exodus.

In 1848, Nathan moved south of Salt Lake City about ten miles on what was then known as the Lyman survey. He was one of the first to bring water from the Little Cottonwood stream for irrigation purposes.

In the fall of 1849 he was called on a mission to explore southern Utah, with Parley P. Pratt and others. In 1852 Nathan started out on a mission to the Sandwich Islands. He went south to San Bernardino, thence north to San Francisco and from here he set sail with a number of elders that were on their way to India.

At his funeral, held in the Granite Stake Tabernacle, President Joseph F. Smith, who was the chief speaker, said that his fidelity to the Prophet Joseph Smith would alone assure him of a place among the worthy in the celestial kingdom.

He died in December, 1910, at the home of his son Stewart in Granger. He was a few months under ninety-six years of age at the time of his death.

At the funeral services of Nathan Tanner, President Joseph F. Smith spoke of the history of this good man which he said had been closely woven with the history of the Church. He said that he had regarded the life of Nathan Tanner as an example for his life. In conclusion, President Smith urged the children and descendants of this man to follow in his footsteps, leading a life of truth and righteousness.

*See the book “descendants of Nathan Tanner (SR.)” for “Incidents in the Life of Nathan Tanner Written by Himself on the Occasion of the Tanner Family Reunion Held in Payson in 1895.” (11 pages).