Ebenezer Hanks
Encyclopedia
Ebenezer Hanks was born on 11 February 1815 in Argyle
, Washington County
, New York
to Joseph Hanks and Almira Kennedy. Ebenezer grew up in the nearby small towns of Greenwich
and Salem
, northeast of Albany, New York
. Joseph had fought in the War of 1812
and was a prosperous farmer and tavern keeper. Joseph was also described as a rough and profane man. At age 16, Ebenezer left home after a family quarrel and never returned to live at home. At the age 23, he was elected the town collector of Salem and in February of 1839, moved to Adams County, Illinois
, along the Mississippi River
. On 27 October of that year he married his first wife, Jane Wells Cooper.
In 1841, the young couple had befriended many of the Mormons
who were being driven from Missouri
and Illinois
. It was then that they converted to the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but continued to remain in Adams County. They pulled up stakes and moved west in 1846. Both Ebenezer and Jane joined the Mormon Battalion
, the only religious unit in American military history
. He was a 3rd Sergeant, while she enlisted as a cook and washerwoman. Ebenezer also became the champion wrestler in their company.
The Hanks’ made their way to California
for the 1849 gold rush and made out quite well. Ebenezer played an important role in the settling of San Bernardino, California
in the early 1850s. He ran a freighting business between Los Angeles
and Salt Lake City. It was this work that attracted the interest and investment of George Hearst
, father of William Randolph Hearst
. Jane Wells Cooper was unable to bare children,this was one of the main reasons that Ebenezer and Jane decieded to enter into polygamy,with the permission and blessins of President Brigham Young.
They returned to Utah
and on 22 January 1860, Ebenezer married his second wife, Sarah Jane Casper, thus practicing polygamy
. Sarah was 15 years old. He soon became a prosperous merchant with stores in Provo
, Parowan
, and Beaver
. Parowan and Beaver are in southern Utah. On 11 February 1861, his 46th birthday, he became mayor of Provo. Being caught up with his own personal business ventures, he was unable to fill his civic duties and after only five months in office, his political career came to an end. He resigned on 6 July 1861.
Following his resignation, he played a key role in the early cotton
industry in Utah’s southern area, known as Dixie
. In late 1861, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints President, Brigham Young
, persuaded Ebenezer to move his two wives and daughter to Iron County
and build a cotton factory
at Parowan. Brigham Young was his partner in this endeavor. It was the first cotton factory in the West and on 26 February 1862, produced the first ball of yarn west of the Mississippi River. The factory closed in 1866 when the price of cotton plummeted after the end of the American Civil War
. It was during this time that Ebenezer and Sarah had their first of ten children (Margaret, Almira Anne, Jane Allie, Ebenezer Joseph Jr., Nancy Luella, Iona Wealthy, Eva May, Neil Wendall, Charles Rich and Marion Lyman). The Hanks’ continued to stay in Parowan, running the store they still had there and diversified his business holdings by building a sawmill. From this sawmill came the wood for the first Tabernacle Organ
in Salt Lake City. He also built a tannery
and a cabinet shop at the request of Brigham Young. He was the financial life of southern Utah.
On 12 June 1869, he became the president of the Great Western Iron Mining and Manufacturing Company. He was also on the Board of Directors. He was then chosen to be the first Probate Judge of Piute county
and left his position at the iron company. He resigned from this judiciary position in 1871. In 1882, he and his family moved to Wayne County
where, with several others, was instrumental in building the little community of Graves Valley, later renamed Hanksville
. Ebenezer, along with his son Ebenezer Jr. and another Hanksville pioneer, Charles Gould, surveyed two canals. These canals are still in use today.
Argyle (town), New York
Argyle is a town in Washington County, New York, USA. It is part of the Glens Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area. The town population was 3,688 at the 2000 census...
, Washington County
Washington County, New York
Washington County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. It is part of the Glens Falls, New York, Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 census, the population was 63,216. It was named for the Revolutionary War general George Washington...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
to Joseph Hanks and Almira Kennedy. Ebenezer grew up in the nearby small towns of Greenwich
Greenwich (town), New York
Greenwich is a town in the southwest part of Washington County, New York, United States. The town is located on the west border of the county. The population was 4,896 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Glens Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area...
and Salem
Salem (town), New York
Salem is a town in eastern Washington County, New York. It is part of the Glens Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area. The town population was 2,702 at the 2000 census. The town of Salem contains a village also named Salem.- History :...
, northeast of Albany, New York
Albany, New York
Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
. Joseph had fought in the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
and was a prosperous farmer and tavern keeper. Joseph was also described as a rough and profane man. At age 16, Ebenezer left home after a family quarrel and never returned to live at home. At the age 23, he was elected the town collector of Salem and in February of 1839, moved to Adams County, Illinois
Adams County, Illinois
Adams County is the westernmost county of the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 67,103, which is a decrease of 1.7% from 68,277 in 2000...
, along the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
. On 27 October of that year he married his first wife, Jane Wells Cooper.
In 1841, the young couple had befriended many of the Mormons
Mormons
The Mormons are a religious and cultural group related to Mormonism, a religion started by Joseph Smith during the American Second Great Awakening. A vast majority of Mormons are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints while a minority are members of other independent churches....
who were being driven from Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
and Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
. It was then that they converted to the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but continued to remain in Adams County. They pulled up stakes and moved west in 1846. Both Ebenezer and Jane joined the Mormon Battalion
Mormon Battalion
The Mormon Battalion was the only religiously based unit in United States military history, and it served from July 1846 to July 1847 during the Mexican-American War. The battalion was a volunteer unit of between 534 and 559 Latter-day Saints men led by Mormon company officers, commanded by regular...
, the only religious unit in American military history
Military history of the United States
The military history of the United States spans a period of over two centuries. During the course of those years, the United States evolved from a new nation fighting the British Empire for independence without a professional military , through a monumental American Civil War to the world's sole...
. He was a 3rd Sergeant, while she enlisted as a cook and washerwoman. Ebenezer also became the champion wrestler in their company.
The Hanks’ made their way to California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
for the 1849 gold rush and made out quite well. Ebenezer played an important role in the settling of San Bernardino, California
San Bernardino, California
San Bernardino is a city located in the Riverside-San Bernardino metropolitan area , and serves as the county seat of San Bernardino County, California, United States...
in the early 1850s. He ran a freighting business between Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
and Salt Lake City. It was this work that attracted the interest and investment of George Hearst
George Hearst
George Hearst was a wealthy American businessman and United States Senator, and the father of newspaperman William Randolph Hearst.-Early life and education:...
, father of William Randolph Hearst
William Randolph Hearst
William Randolph Hearst was an American business magnate and leading newspaper publisher. Hearst entered the publishing business in 1887, after taking control of The San Francisco Examiner from his father...
. Jane Wells Cooper was unable to bare children,this was one of the main reasons that Ebenezer and Jane decieded to enter into polygamy,with the permission and blessins of President Brigham Young.
They returned to Utah
Utah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
and on 22 January 1860, Ebenezer married his second wife, Sarah Jane Casper, thus practicing polygamy
Polygamy
Polygamy is a marriage which includes more than two partners...
. Sarah was 15 years old. He soon became a prosperous merchant with stores in Provo
Provo, Utah
Provo is the third largest city in the U.S. state of Utah, located about south of Salt Lake City along the Wasatch Front. Provo is the county seat of Utah County and lies between the cities of Orem to the north and Springville to the south...
, Parowan
Parowan, Utah
Parowan is a city in and the county seat of Iron County, Utah, United States. The population was 2,790 at the 2010 census.Parowan became the first incorporated city in Iron County in 1851. A fort that had been constructed on the east side of Center Creek the previous year was an initial in the...
, and Beaver
Beaver, Utah
Beaver is a city in Beaver County, Utah, United States. The population was 2,454 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Beaver County.Settled by Mormon pioneers in 1856, Beaver was one of a string of Mormon settlements extending the length of Utah...
. Parowan and Beaver are in southern Utah. On 11 February 1861, his 46th birthday, he became mayor of Provo. Being caught up with his own personal business ventures, he was unable to fill his civic duties and after only five months in office, his political career came to an end. He resigned on 6 July 1861.
Following his resignation, he played a key role in the early cotton
Cotton
Cotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective capsule, around the seeds of cotton plants of the genus Gossypium. The fiber is almost pure cellulose. The botanical purpose of cotton fiber is to aid in seed dispersal....
industry in Utah’s southern area, known as Dixie
Dixie (Utah)
Dixie is the nickname for southwestern Utah. It was first settled in the early 1860s, when farmers were sent south by Brigham Young to grow cotton, hoping to capitalize on the lack of availability of cotton due to the American Civil War. St. George, Grafton, Duncans Retreat, Adventure, and Northup...
. In late 1861, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints President, Brigham Young
Brigham Young
Brigham Young was an American leader in the Latter Day Saint movement and a settler of the Western United States. He was the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1847 until his death in 1877, he founded Salt Lake City, and he served as the first governor of the Utah...
, persuaded Ebenezer to move his two wives and daughter to Iron County
Iron County, Utah
As of the census of 2000, there were 33,779 people, 10,627 households, and 8,076 families residing in the county. The population density was 10 people per square mile . There were 13,618 housing units at an average density of 4 per square mile...
and build a cotton factory
Cotton mill
A cotton mill is a factory that houses spinning and weaving machinery. Typically built between 1775 and 1930, mills spun cotton which was an important product during the Industrial Revolution....
at Parowan. Brigham Young was his partner in this endeavor. It was the first cotton factory in the West and on 26 February 1862, produced the first ball of yarn west of the Mississippi River. The factory closed in 1866 when the price of cotton plummeted after the end of the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. It was during this time that Ebenezer and Sarah had their first of ten children (Margaret, Almira Anne, Jane Allie, Ebenezer Joseph Jr., Nancy Luella, Iona Wealthy, Eva May, Neil Wendall, Charles Rich and Marion Lyman). The Hanks’ continued to stay in Parowan, running the store they still had there and diversified his business holdings by building a sawmill. From this sawmill came the wood for the first Tabernacle Organ
Salt Lake Tabernacle organ
The Salt Lake Tabernacle organ is a pipe organ located in the Salt Lake Tabernacle in Salt Lake City, Utah. Along with the nearby Conference Center organ, it is typically used to accompany the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and is also featured in daily noon recitals...
in Salt Lake City. He also built a tannery
Tanning
Tanning is the making of leather from the skins of animals which does not easily decompose. Traditionally, tanning used tannin, an acidic chemical compound from which the tanning process draws its name . Coloring may occur during tanning...
and a cabinet shop at the request of Brigham Young. He was the financial life of southern Utah.
On 12 June 1869, he became the president of the Great Western Iron Mining and Manufacturing Company. He was also on the Board of Directors. He was then chosen to be the first Probate Judge of Piute county
Piute County, Utah
Piute County is a county located in the U.S. state of Utah. The population in 2000 was 1,435, and by 2005 had been estimated to decrease to 1,365. It was named for the Paiute tribe of Native Americans. The county seat is Junction and the largest city is Circleville.-Geography:According to the U.S...
and left his position at the iron company. He resigned from this judiciary position in 1871. In 1882, he and his family moved to Wayne County
Wayne County, Utah
Wayne County is a county located in the U.S. state of Utah. It was formed from Piute County in 1892. The county gets its name from a man who served as delegate to the constitutional convention, in honor of his son who was dragged to death by a horse. As of 2000 the population was 2,509, and by...
where, with several others, was instrumental in building the little community of Graves Valley, later renamed Hanksville
Hanksville, Utah
Hanksville is a small town in Wayne County, Utah, United States, at the junction of State Routes 24 and 95. The town is just south of the confluence of the Fremont River and Muddy Creek, which together form the Dirty Devil River, which then flows southeast to the Colorado River...
. Ebenezer, along with his son Ebenezer Jr. and another Hanksville pioneer, Charles Gould, surveyed two canals. These canals are still in use today.