NATHAN TANNER had a total of five wives and 18 children. N. Eldon Tanner, Franklin D. Richards, Hugh B. Brown, and Victor L. Brown are among his descendants, all through his first wife Rachel. N. Eldon Tanner is a descendant of Nathan Tanner on both his mother's and his father's side, being both a great-grandson AND a great great grandson of Nathan. Nathan Tanner's wives were Rachel Winter Smith, Mary Baker, Persis Tippetts, Sarah Littley, and Mary Peacock.
Nathan served in Zion's Camp, and also the Battle of Crooked River. Since he left more writings than any of the other Tanners, he has already been extensively quoted. He served at least four missions. After coming to Salt Lake Valley at age 33, his life thereafter was rather quiet and uneventful when compared to all of the events of Church history he had been a part of in his youth, but we do have a record of some of his activities. It is said that "he was influential in dealing with the Indians, and also had his share of missionary experience and was a minute man in the fullest sense of the word." He was involved in freighting and in various business enterprises such as the store previously mentioned; his son Nathan Jr. at one time held the contract for hauling the ore out of Little Cottonwood Canyon, and had 45 men and teams working for him. Nathan Jr. later moved to Ogden where he became a prominent lawyer. Nathan Sr. did not stay in South Cottonwood either; after a few years he moved into Salt Lake City. In the fall of 1849 Nathan was called on a mission to explore southern Utah, with Parley P. Pratt and others.
In the October General Conference of 1852, he was called on a mission to the Sandwich Islands with eight other elders.
It is said that Nathan was a man of rare charm, much of which resulted from his enthusiasm and complete dedication to a cause, as well as his positive attitude and his love for life and people.