Daniel H. Wells

Daniel H. Wells

1814–1891 (76 years)

Hometown: Trenton, New York

Biography

Daniel H. Wells was an apostle from 1857 until his death in 1891 and served in the First Presidency under Brigham Young. A non-Mormon who helped the Saints in Nauvoo, Wells converted and became a trusted leader.

Wells served as lieutenant general of the Nauvoo Legion and later the territorial militia. He practiced polygamy with seven wives. His military role included leadership during the Utah War.

He served in the First Presidency for 20 years and remained an apostle after Brigham Young’s death until his own death.

Served Under

Church presidents during this leader's apostolic service:

Brigham Young
Brigham Young
John Taylor
John Taylor
Wilford Woodruff
Wilford Woodruff

Wives (9)

Daniel H. Wells was a polygamist with 9 wives. Note these are simultaneous marriages — married to multiple living spouses at the same time. 2 of these wives were a teenager (18 or less) at the time of marriage.

9 wives · Lifespan: 1814–1891

Eliza Rebecca Robison
1837–1891 (54 yrs)
Louisa Free
1849–1886 (37 yrs)
Martha Givens Harris
1849–1891 (42 yrs)
Lydia Ann Alley
1852–1891 (39 yrs)
Susan Hannah Alley
1852–1891 (39 yrs)
Clara Gooder
1863–1891 (28 yrs)
Margrethe Elisabeth Wilhelmine Eversdatter
1871–1874 (3 yrs)
Caroline Curtis Raleigh
1879–1891 (12 yrs)
Nancy Ann Foutz
1888–1891 (3 yrs)
1814 (born) 1833 1852 1871 1891 (died)
Wife

27 children from 5 wives · Lifespan: 1814–1891

Eliza Rebecca Robison
1 child
Louisa Free
9 children
Martha Givens Harris
7 children
Lydia Ann Alley
6 children
Susan Hannah Alley
4 children
1814 (born) 1833 1852 1871 1891 (died)
Wife Child born

9 wives · Ages at marriage

Her age His age Teenage bride (<18)
#NameBornDiedMarriedHer AgeHis AgeAge DiffChildren
1
Eliza Rebecca Robison Eliza Rebecca Robison ⚠
Jan 4, 1820Aug 2, 1905 Mar 9, 1837 172251
2
Louisa Free Louisa Free
Aug 9, 1824Jun 18, 1886 Feb 15, 1849 2434109
3
Martha Givens Harris Martha Givens Harris ⚠
Mar 27, 1832May 12, 1908 Sep 20, 1849 1734177
4
Lydia Ann Alley Lydia Ann Alley
Jan 1, 1828Aug 6, 1909 Apr 4, 1852 2437136
5
Susan Hannah Alley Susan Hannah Alley
May 3, 1830May 5, 1924 Apr 15, 1852 2137164
6
Clara Gooder
Apr 3, 1843● May 30, 1863 2048280
7
Margrethe Elisabeth Wilhelmine Eversdatter
Oct 20, 1802Dec 6, 1874 Nov 6, 1871 6957120
8
Caroline Curtis Raleigh
Dec 13, 1844Mar 4, 1936 Jul 7, 1879 3464300
9
Nancy Ann Foutz Nancy Ann Foutz
May 21, 1826Feb 6, 1894 Oct 24, 1888 6273110

Children (27)

With Eliza Rebecca Robison Eliza Rebecca Robison  (1 child)

  1. Albert Emory Wells (b. Jan 1, 1838)

With Louisa Free Louisa Free  (9 children)

  1. John Brigham Lee Wells (b. Jan 1, 1846)
  2. Daniel Hamner Wells Jr. (b. Jan 1, 1849)
  3. Frances Louisa Wells (b. Jan 1, 1852)
  4. Rulon Seymour Wells (b. Jan 1, 1854)
  5. Emeline Young Wells (b. Jan 1, 1857)
  6. Eliza Free Lyde Wells (b. Jan 1, 1859)
  7. Clara Ellen Wells (b. Jan 1, 1862)
  8. Melvin Dickinson Wells (b. Jan 1, 1867)
  9. Melvin Wells (b. Jan 1, 1884)

With Martha Givens Harris Martha Givens Harris  (7 children)

  1. Martha Deseret Wells (b. Jan 1, 1853)
  2. Emily Harris Wells Emily Harris Wells (b. Jan 1, 1857)
  3. Heber Manning Wells (b. Jan 1, 1859)
  4. Joseph Smith Wells (b. Jan 1, 1862)
  5. Herman Chapin Wells (b. Jan 1, 1867)
  6. Edna Margaret Wells (b. Jan 1, 1869)
  7. Briant Harris Wells (b. Jan 1, 1871)

With Lydia Ann Alley Lydia Ann Alley  (6 children)

  1. Catherine Alley Wells (b. Jan 1, 1853)
  2. Mary Minerva Wells (b. Jan 1, 1855)
  3. Lucy Ann Wells (b. Jan 1, 1858)
  4. Louis Robison Wells (b. Jan 1, 1862)
  5. Wilford Woodruff Wells (b. Jan 1, 1868)
  6. Arthur Deming Wells (b. Jan 1, 1871)

With Susan Hannah Alley Susan Hannah Alley  (4 children)

  1. Susan Annette Wells (b. Jan 1, 1857)
  2. George Alley Wells (b. Jan 1, 1859)
  3. Stephen Franklin Wells (b. Jan 1, 1867)
  4. Charles Henry Wells (b. Jan 1, 1870)