The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1891-03-29
A Glimpse of an Eyentful Life.


Daniel Hammer Wells was the son of
Daniel and Catherine Chaplin Wells and
was born at Trenton, Oneida county, New
York, October %, 1914. His father served
in the war of 1912 and was descendant of
the celebrated Thomas Wells, the fourth
governor Of Connecticut, who was several
times elected alternately as governor and
acknowledgement of that colony.
Brother Wells mother was the daughter
of David Chaplin, a revolutionary soldier
and connected with one of the Oldest and
most distinguished New England families
He served under the immediate command
of Washington during the greater part of
the war of independence.
In 1926, when he was but twelve years of
age, Brother Wells lost his father, and six
years later, with his mother and sister, he
moved to Ohio and the following spring to
Illinois. He took up his abode at Com
merce, then a small village but it was af-
forwards noted as the Mormon city of Nau-
VOC. Here he was elected constable, then
justice OF the peace, and was an officer in
the first militia organization of the district.
He was a Wing in politics and figured
prominently in the political conventions of
the period. He was an ardent champion of
universal liberty and foe to oppression in
every form. He was highly esteemed by
people of all parties and creeds, and fire.
quently acted as arbitrator in difficulties
between neighbors and families. esquire
Wellsn was noted, in that early day, as
man of strict integrity, with high sense of
justice and impartiality.
In 1899, when the Saints, fleeing from
Missouri, settled at Commerce, he aided in
securing for them cordial welcome He
Z nv nod Ofh nn Mo 81
eighty acres of land on the bluff. This he
plated into city lots and let the poor and
prosecuted Mormon refugees have them
at very low figures and on long time for
payment. This endeared him to the people
! and determined the location of the chief
| part of the city, and the Temple, which
was built on land that had belonged to him.
On making the acquaintance of the
| Prophet Joseph Smith. ne became STRONGLY
attached to him, though then unconnected
with the church. When the charter was
! granted by the Illinois legislature to the
city OF Nauvoo, he was elecie ed an alderman
and member OF the city council, also re
gent OF the University and brigadier-gen-
eral in the Nauvoo legion. He was
prominent in the city affairs and supported
every public measure for the progress and
welfare of the citizens. When the opposi-
ton to the ''Mormons' reached its height.
General Wells remained on the side of the
assailed people and would not Join in any
of the movements for their injury. The
murder of the Prophet and the Patriarch.
Joseph and Hyrum, aroused his deepest
indignation, and he strongly protested
against the demand of the governor of the
state for the arms of the legion, which was
made under the pretext that the people of
Nauvoo might attempt to avenge the
slaughter of their leaders.
But 1t was not until the exodus of the
main body of the church, and the people
who remained in the city were in their
direst extremity, being attacked by their
enemies in violation of solemn compact.
that this sterling champion of the oppressed
cast In his lot tor life with the Latter day
Saints He joined the church and gave /,
his full faith and support. He was hap
tlzed August 9, 1916.
Six weeks later the battle of Nauvoo oc.
Cured. General Wells was practically the
Leading spirit in this gallant defense of the
city. Colonel Johnson was taken sick anG
Lieutenant Colonel Cutler assumed the