Dwight Harding

compiled by Jaelynne Hathaway - 2003

Dwight Harding was the youngest member of the family of Ralph and Azubah Goodell Harding. He was born 27 April 1807 in Sturbridge, Massachusetts. This area of Sturbridge later became known as Southbridge, Massachusetts. His father, Ralph, was born 19 September 1770, and died 13 February 1854, both in Sturbridge. His mother, Azubah, was born 14 December 1772 at Woodstock, Connecticut. She died in Sturbridge on 6 February 1833.
Dwight had three brothers and one sister: Calvin, born 19 February 1798; Palmer, born 23 December 1799; Nancy, born 4 October 1801; and Stillman born 26 November 1803. Both Stillman and Nancy died unmarried. Palmer had three children all of whom died unmarried. So only Calvin and Dwight had family to carry on the family name.
Dwight was said to be a frail and delicate child. He loved music. He learned to use his hands and was talented in the area of construction work. During the winter, he attended the local school which was only in session about four months of each year. Thus, his education was limited. His studies included reading, writing, arithmetic, grammar, history, and geography.
As a young boy, Dwight was given the job of peeling pumpkins to be strung and dried for winter use. It was a tedious job and there were many pumpkins to be peeled. His ingenious mind soon perceived of an easier and quicker way to do the job. He soon invented a pumpkin peeler. To the delight and astonishment of other family members, the pumpkins were put on the peeler, a handle was turned, and the peelings flew in all directions. Needless to say, he was always assigned the pumpkin peeling job after this successful demonstration.
Dwight developed the skills and abilities of a carpenter. Once married, he furnished his home with a cupboard, tables, chairs, a cradle, a churn, washtubs, and washboards. He prepared the rawhide with which he strung the beds and the chair bottoms. The furniture he made was used during his lifetime in Willard, and some of it is still held as relics in the Harding family.
Dwight was the only member of his family to join the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly known as the Mormon Church. His childhood friend, Joseph Holbrook, introduced him to this "new" religion while he was working with him in Genesee County, New York. He was baptized 3 January 1833 in Warsaw by Elder Leonard Rich. Joseph's sister, Phebe, was baptized 20 January 1833 also by Elder Rich. Dwight and Phebe were married 12 February 1833 in Genesee County, New York.
Dwight and Phebe were happily married, but they had accepted a religion whose beliefs were not in harmony with the views of many of their family, friends, and associates. This led to much persecution as they were unmercifully driven from their homes and forced to move from place to place. Dwight's father constantly chastized him for this irrational and embarrassing action. In one letter he wrote, ". . . I must tell you Dwight, that you have brought much trouble and disgrace to me in my old age . . ."
Dwight and Phebe made their first home in a log cabin in Weathersfield, Genesee County, New York. Here their first child, George, was born 18 December 1833. Shortly after the birth of George, Dwight moved his family to Ohio to be near the Prophet Joseph Smith and the Church headquarters which were in Kirtland, Ohio.
As the Saints left Kirtland, Dwight moved his family west with them, to Keytesville, Chariton County, Missouri. Here a second son, Alma, joined the family on 29 June 1835. By this time, the enemies of the Church were increasing rapidly and persecution was increasing proportionately. Dwight never wavered in his determination to stand by the Prophet, abide by his counsel, and remain with the body of the Church.
As a result of this determination, he soon moved his family to Clay County, and Caldwell County, Missouri. Within three years, mob violence had driven them to Far West, Daviess County, Missouri. Charles, another son, joined the family in Far West on 2 April 1838. Dwight was in the congregation at Far West that the mobs forced to "lay down their arms" on 1 November 1838, before being driven from their homes once again.
The family was sick and cold as they moved from Far West, Missouri to Quincy, Illinois with all their belongings in one wagon. In Quincy a daughter, Elizabeth Jane, joined their family on 23 October 1840. Shortly after her birth, Dwight moved his family to Commerce, Illinois where the Prophet Joseph was establishing "the City Beautiful" which became known as Nauvoo.
In Nauvoo, Dwight built his family a house surrounded by friends and neighbors who held common beliefs. Early family members decribed this home as a three-room brick home. Years later, George, the oldest son, described the area to his daughter mentioning a two-story brick home, and several two-story frame homes. Because of Dwight's talent with wood construction, it is possible that their home in Nauvoo was of wood. In those day, people were continually adding rooms to their homes, so it may have been built of both brick and wood. Phebe's brother, Chandler, lived just down the block. Her other brother, Joseph, lived across the street from Chandler. Joseph's wife was a school teacher. She taught all the Harding and Holbrook children.
In Nauvoo, two more daughters were added to Dwight's family. Nancy Ann was born 8 November 1843. She died 15 August 1845 and was buried in the backyard under a tree. Eight days later, on 23 August 1845, Phebe Eliza was born.
Dwight's craftmanship ability made him a valuable asset to the Church building program. He assisted in the building of both the Kirtland and the Nauvoo Temples. Dwight and Phebe received their endowments in the Nauvoo Temple 21 January 1846. They returned to the temple where their marriage was sealed for time and all eternity 29 January 1846.
Dwight was a bodyguard to the prophet Joseph Smith. He was also a member of the Nauvoo Legion. A short time before his martyrdom, he personally heard the Prophet Joseph Smith say, "I am going like a lamb to the slaughter."
After the death of Joseph Smith, Dwight and Phebe were at the Church meeting held in Nauvoo 8 August 1844 when the mantle of leadership fell upon Brigham Young. They beheld the miraculous transformation of Brigham Young and heard the Prophet Joseph speak through him. They were satisfied that he was the leader to follow.
While making preparations to leave Nauvoo, Dwight was taken seriously ill and he was not expected to live. Phebe, his wife, was a woman of great devotion and faith. She prayed to the Lord to spare the life of her husband. She was inspired to send for the Elders of the Church to come and administer to him. When they came, they dressed in their temple robes and formed a prayer circle around his bed. In the blessing pronounced upon his head, he was given the promise that he would recover and bring his family to the Rocky Mountains in the West. His days were numbered at twenty-five more years. This promise was fulfilled. Although he was never a strong, robust man, he took care of his health and enjoyed life until his death, twenty-five years later.
In May of 1846, the Harding family was ready to leave Nauvoo. They were not able to take many possessions with them as they also had the family of Truman O. Angell traveling in their wagon. Truman's wife was a cousin to Phebe. As they were leaving their home and property, a man and his young son drove up and made ready to take possession of the house. Dwight kept the deed to the property, but had no legal recourse as once again they were driven from their home.
Dwight moved his family through Iowa and caught up with the vanguard company at the Missouri River. Dwight helped to build the ferry to cross this river. After a few days in the settlement known as Winter Quarters, his family was sent ahead with the vanguard company to prepare the trail for the pioneers to follow. This company was near Grand Island when Brigham Young sent word that they were not going to be able to go to the Valley in 1846 and to find a place to winter over until the next spring.
For this, and various other reasons, the trip from Nauvoo to Utah took the Harding family five years. The details of these five years can be read in the story titled "Dwight Harding Family from Nauvoo to Utah." During this five year period, they lived in Niobrara, Nebraska, Winter Quarters, Council Bluffs, and had a small homestead just east of Council Bluffs in an area known as Mosquito Creek. While living at Council Bluffs (also known as Kanesville) Dwight built the first jail house in that area.
At this time, Dwight received notice that the Harding estate in Massachusetts had been settled and he was entitled to $50.00. This was a very small share, but the money was badly needed. Dwight had again been ill, and was too weak to go obtain the money himself. So he sent his oldest son, George, about one hundred miles to the nearest government mail station where he received it.
The letters received from relatives in Massachusetts were not placed in envelopes, but were folded with one outside cover left for the address. The folds were caught together and gummed seal was bent to fasten them. No stamp was placed on the letter but 25¢ or 10¢, as the weight of the letter required, was marked with pen or pencil near the address. The contents contained not only the family news items, but pleadings for Dwight Harding to come home with his family and not take them into the western wilds to be killed by the Indians.
On 16 June 1851 the Dwight Harding family finally left Iowa for The Valley. They arrived in Salt Lake City on 15 September. After a brief visit with Phebe's brother in Session's Settlement, now known as Bountiful, the family headed north and settled at Willow Creek. A few years later the residents changed the name to Willard in honor of Willard Richards, a leader in the church.
A few other families had begun to build cabins in the area earlier that summer. Upon their arrival at Willow Creek, Dwight and his boys began to haul logs from the canyon to build a cabin just east of 100 West and on the north side of 100 South. A few years later, they built a larger log home, just west of this cabin, on the west side of 100 West. Their homestead included about 75 acres of land. All the homes in the settlement were built of logs and faced the west. In 1856, they began to make adobe homes. Dwight built one of the first adobe homes in the area. It was 1½ stories high.
Building near Willow Creek provided adequate water for the settlement. However, in 1857 there was a drought and the residents had to haul water from near the mouth of the canyon. Soon they dug an irrigation ditch and lined the bottom and sides with rock laid so closely together that water would not escape through seepage.
In 1852, Dwight helped to build the first school house in Willard. He hauled the logs from the canyon and split them for the floor. They were laid with the convex side down and the flat side up. The floor was called a puncheon floor. It was quite a task to make it so the slabs would join and fit perfectly, as logs are not equal in size and shape.
The logs for the floor were laid on "sleepers." One or two sleepers were laid on each end crosswise of the building. According to the size of the building, another one or two were placed in the center. To make the roofs, the logs were laid lengthwise with the flat sides up. Dirt was placed on top of the slabs. At first, all the buildings had dirt roofs. Desks and benches were made in a similarly crude fashion. There was a huge fireplace in one end of the room. For the first few years, this building was used for church, school, and social gatherings.
Miracles were fairly common in the lives of the pioneers. Dwight experienced this miracle in the spring of 1853. He was getting ready to take the boys down into the field to finish preparing the land to plant wheat. Due to illness that spring, he had a late start as the other residents had already planted their fields. As they were leaving the yard, a man by the name of Christensen drove in. He said Brigham Young had sent him to Willard to get a load of wheat. Many emigrants would be entering Salt Lake City and he was having a hard time obtaining food with which to feed them.
Brother Christensen had spent the night before at a neighbors and had been told that Dwight Harding had the only wheat in the settlement and that was very little. He was somewhat discouraged when he drove with his wagon into the yard. He did not want to go back to President Young with an empty wagon. When he asked for the wheat, Dwight said, "I have between three and four bushel of wheat in the bin. I have prepared land to plant six pecks of it. My boys and I are now on our way to the field to work. In the granary you will find a peck measure. Fill it six times, using a little board to smooth it off even. Put my share in one corner of the bin, then you may take the rest."
When Dwight and his sons came from the field at noon, Brother Christensen was still sacking wheat. He had his wagon filled with sacks which he had filled and sewed up, and was just finishing with the last sack. Dwight said,"Well, I see you got your load of wheat. Where did you get it?"
"I got it right here in your bin," was the reply. "I did just as you told me to do. After putting your six peck in one corner, I have taken my load from the rest."
Dwight looked at his boys in amazement. They all knew how little wheat there had been in the granary, yet here was the evidence that a wagon load of wheat had been taken from their bin after their share was left. They went into the house where dinner was ready. Brother Christensen ate dinner with them. The meal was unusually quiet as their minds were filled with wonder.
When the Willard Ward was organized, Dwight Harding was made first counselor in the Bishopric. He was a member of the first Utah Territorial Legislature which convened in Salt Lake City. Brigham Young appointed Dwight to be one of the first Selectmen of Box Elder County. He was elected to this position on 5 August 1857. He was later forced to resign due to poor health.
Dwight died 2 May 1871. His obituary stated "He ever maintained a fervent desire, and was faithful to his profession for the kingdom of God. He filled many important offices in the Church, and was President of the High Priests in Willard at the time of his death." Dwight is buried in the Willard City Cemetery.

Dwight Harding and Phebe Holbrook Family