Helen Anderson Humphries contributed most of the following information.Ranee Elizabeth Harder Hannah and Gail Lanier Hannah added to the story.
Mary was born July 9,1860 in Denmark. Her parents were Niels Erickson and Edel Kristine(also seen spelled Ellen Christine)Pederson Erickson.Mary was the oldest of nine children.Mary,Christian Peter,Belle Greta and Catherine were all born in Denmark. Her family came to the U.S.A. probably in 1869 and settled in Grantsville, Tooele County,Utah.Here Ellenors,Joseph,and Hyrum were born. They later moved to Dereset,Millard County,Utah were another son Orson was born. Mary's father died in 1890 in Desert leaving her mother to raise the younger children. She remained a widow for many years and in her later years she married John Henry Kinder.
On October 16,1884 Mary became the church(Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints) santioned second wife of Sophus Waldimer Harder.He and his first and legal wife,Alma Caroline Harder had no children. Prior to allowing the second marriage,Alma C.had an agreement that she would have total control of at least the first born son. Mary had a physical defect- one leg and one arm deformed, but unknown cause. Mary was the mother of five children, Electra Marie Harder(Anderson), Alma(Al) Martin Harder,Flora Christine Harder (Leavitt),Sophia Wilhelmina Harder(Robinson)(Swain),and Lillian Carline Harder.Lily died at the age of five months.Alma Martin Harder was taken from Mary and raised by Alma C. and Sophus.In 1890, the president of the church, with strong United States goverment pressure,issued a manifesto discontinuing the practice of plural marriages.The last daughter was born in 1893 so we know they were together after 1890. Support for Mary and their daughters ended in 1894 when Sophus,Alma C. and young Al moved to Leamington,Utah. Mary and her daughters were left behind in Oasis. Mary and her daughters cleaned the school and washed for people and did whatever they could to get by.At some point Flora went to live with her father, most likely to help take care of Sophus.Al did not find out about his mother until he was fourteen, and by his friends at that. He told his daughter that he was angry for a long time.He was sad that the church had allowed the practice and for the damage it had done to his mother and sisters.I can not imagine what turmoil that caused this young boy. I do know it affected the entire family later in life.(Gail) After the daughters married Mary continue to live in Oasis,until the 1920's she came to Leamington to live with her daughter, Electra Anderson and family.Al was devoted to his mother,Mary,until she died.She worked for a very brief time in Leamington caring for the six children of Lyman Overson who was recently widowed. Due to her age this quickly became a burden.She was greatly saddened by the death of Orson and his family. They were killed when their car collided with a train.
While living with Electa's family she always washed the dishes and kept the kitchen clean. She felt she could contribute to the household in this way.Her aprons and dresses were always starched and ironed nicely since she was very particular about her clothes. Her chair in the kitchen near the stove was where she would rest, especially in the evenings.Helen Anderson Humphries wrote"Each Sunday she visited with Alma(Caroline) in the afternoon until time to attend her sacrament meeting. After Alma (C) passed she visited each Sunday with Charles Nelson's mother".Info Helen- She was a better woman than I. (Gail)
She was unselfish and accepted hardships without compliant. Her last wish was to have her son make her casket.On October 30, 1935 she died of complications from a stroke at her daughter Electa's home in Leamington.Her grave is in its rightly place next to Sophus Harder in the Leamington Cemetery, Leamington, Millard County, Utah.
Note- When Ranee Harder Hannah ( Al's daughter) moved to Dalton, Georgia as a bride there was no Morman Church.She attended the Methodist Church with her husband.In the 1980's, a church was built. She rarely attended since it was uncomfortable and she felt much to radical for her.Her statement was the Utah church and people would not recoginize the ways of the Dalton church. This radical thinking was proven to be a fact when several missionary boys came by for a visit.Although she was always gracious and entertained them as guests,she also felt they really wanted her money as much as anything.The church leaders were putting pressure on her to attend and give.One day a discussion came about were absolute obedience to the church and church doctorine was the topic. Mama Hannah was a graduate of BYU and not one to accept everything said to her as the absolute truth. She said "I'm no fool. I was educated at BYU and I never heard such radical ststements that one was not to think for self".She quoted several professors writings,her mother and father, and scripture to prove her point. She believed and so stated that God gave her a mind to use and she could and would decide for herself what was right and wrong.Plural marriages was brought up and she flatly stated it was wrong now and was always wrong.The deep hurt of her father and the mistreatment of her grandmother were discussed. Her opinion was that Joseph Smith had issues in regard to women and children.Much pressure was brought to bear by church leaders and her brother,Glen,for her to recant. She refused,with the complete blessings of her children and daughter-in-law.She was excommunicated from the Morman Church.After this, she felt that her explanations of the church to Dalton friends over many years had been greatly damaged.Later,she joined Dalton First United Methodist Church.Gail
Mary was born July 9,1860 in Denmark. Her parents were Niels Erickson and Edel Kristine(also seen spelled Ellen Christine)Pederson Erickson.Mary was the oldest of nine children.Mary,Christian Peter,Belle Greta and Catherine were all born in Denmark. Her family came to the U.S.A. probably in 1869 and settled in Grantsville, Tooele County,Utah.Here Ellenors,Joseph,and Hyrum were born. They later moved to Dereset,Millard County,Utah were another son Orson was born. Mary's father died in 1890 in Desert leaving her mother to raise the younger children. She remained a widow for many years and in her later years she married John Henry Kinder.
On October 16,1884 Mary became the church(Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints) santioned second wife of Sophus Waldimer Harder.He and his first and legal wife,Alma Caroline Harder had no children. Prior to allowing the second marriage,Alma C.had an agreement that she would have total control of at least the first born son. Mary had a physical defect- one leg and one arm deformed, but unknown cause. Mary was the mother of five children, Electra Marie Harder(Anderson), Alma(Al) Martin Harder,Flora Christine Harder (Leavitt),Sophia Wilhelmina Harder(Robinson)(Swain),and Lillian Carline Harder.Lily died at the age of five months.Alma Martin Harder was taken from Mary and raised by Alma C. and Sophus.In 1890, the president of the church, with strong United States goverment pressure,issued a manifesto discontinuing the practice of plural marriages.The last daughter was born in 1893 so we know they were together after 1890. Support for Mary and their daughters ended in 1894 when Sophus,Alma C. and young Al moved to Leamington,Utah. Mary and her daughters were left behind in Oasis. Mary and her daughters cleaned the school and washed for people and did whatever they could to get by.At some point Flora went to live with her father, most likely to help take care of Sophus.Al did not find out about his mother until he was fourteen, and by his friends at that. He told his daughter that he was angry for a long time.He was sad that the church had allowed the practice and for the damage it had done to his mother and sisters.I can not imagine what turmoil that caused this young boy. I do know it affected the entire family later in life.(Gail) After the daughters married Mary continue to live in Oasis,until the 1920's she came to Leamington to live with her daughter, Electra Anderson and family.Al was devoted to his mother,Mary,until she died.She worked for a very brief time in Leamington caring for the six children of Lyman Overson who was recently widowed. Due to her age this quickly became a burden.She was greatly saddened by the death of Orson and his family. They were killed when their car collided with a train.
While living with Electa's family she always washed the dishes and kept the kitchen clean. She felt she could contribute to the household in this way.Her aprons and dresses were always starched and ironed nicely since she was very particular about her clothes. Her chair in the kitchen near the stove was where she would rest, especially in the evenings.Helen Anderson Humphries wrote"Each Sunday she visited with Alma(Caroline) in the afternoon until time to attend her sacrament meeting. After Alma (C) passed she visited each Sunday with Charles Nelson's mother".Info Helen- She was a better woman than I. (Gail)
She was unselfish and accepted hardships without compliant. Her last wish was to have her son make her casket.On October 30, 1935 she died of complications from a stroke at her daughter Electa's home in Leamington.Her grave is in its rightly place next to Sophus Harder in the Leamington Cemetery, Leamington, Millard County, Utah.
Note- When Ranee Harder Hannah ( Al's daughter) moved to Dalton, Georgia as a bride there was no Morman Church.She attended the Methodist Church with her husband.In the 1980's, a church was built. She rarely attended since it was uncomfortable and she felt much to radical for her.Her statement was the Utah church and people would not recoginize the ways of the Dalton church. This radical thinking was proven to be a fact when several missionary boys came by for a visit.Although she was always gracious and entertained them as guests,she also felt they really wanted her money as much as anything.The church leaders were putting pressure on her to attend and give.One day a discussion came about were absolute obedience to the church and church doctorine was the topic. Mama Hannah was a graduate of BYU and not one to accept everything said to her as the absolute truth. She said "I'm no fool. I was educated at BYU and I never heard such radical ststements that one was not to think for self".She quoted several professors writings,her mother and father, and scripture to prove her point. She believed and so stated that God gave her a mind to use and she could and would decide for herself what was right and wrong.Plural marriages was brought up and she flatly stated it was wrong now and was always wrong.The deep hurt of her father and the mistreatment of her grandmother were discussed. Her opinion was that Joseph Smith had issues in regard to women and children.Much pressure was brought to bear by church leaders and her brother,Glen,for her to recant. She refused,with the complete blessings of her children and daughter-in-law.She was excommunicated from the Morman Church.After this, she felt that her explanations of the church to Dalton friends over many years had been greatly damaged.Later,she joined Dalton First United Methodist Church.Gail
Helen Anderson Humphries contributed most of the following information.Ranee Elizabeth Harder Hannah and Gail Lanier Hannah added to the story.
Mary was born July 9,1860 in Denmark. Her parents were Niels Erickson and Edel Kristine(also seen spelled Ellen Christine)Pederson Erickson.Mary was the oldest of nine children.Mary,Christian Peter,Belle Greta and Catherine were all born in Denmark. Her family came to the U.S.A. probably in 1869 and settled in Grantsville, Tooele County,Utah.Here Ellenors,Joseph,and Hyrum were born. They later moved to Dereset,Millard County,Utah were another son Orson was born. Mary's father died in 1890 in Desert leaving her mother to raise the younger children. She remained a widow for many years and in her later years she married John Henry Kinder.
On October 16,1884 Mary became the church(Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints) santioned second wife of Sophus Waldimer Harder.He and his first and legal wife,Alma Caroline Harder had no children. Prior to allowing the second marriage,Alma C.had an agreement that she would have total control of at least the first born son. Mary had a physical defect- one leg and one arm deformed, but unknown cause. Mary was the mother of five children, Electra Marie Harder(Anderson), Alma(Al) Martin Harder,Flora Christine Harder (Leavitt),Sophia Wilhelmina Harder(Robinson)(Swain),and Lillian Carline Harder.Lily died at the age of five months.Alma Martin Harder was taken from Mary and raised by Alma C. and Sophus.In 1890, the president of the church, with strong United States goverment pressure,issued a manifesto discontinuing the practice of plural marriages.The last daughter was born in 1893 so we know they were together after 1890. Support for Mary and their daughters ended in 1894 when Sophus,Alma C. and young Al moved to Leamington,Utah. Mary and her daughters were left behind in Oasis. Mary and her daughters cleaned the school and washed for people and did whatever they could to get by.At some point Flora went to live with her father, most likely to help take care of Sophus.Al did not find out about his mother until he was fourteen, and by his friends at that. He told his daughter that he was angry for a long time.He was sad that the church had allowed the practice and for the damage it had done to his mother and sisters.I can not imagine what turmoil that caused this young boy. I do know it affected the entire family later in life.(Gail) After the daughters married Mary continue to live in Oasis,until the 1920's she came to Leamington to live with her daughter, Electra Anderson and family.Al was devoted to his mother,Mary,until she died.She worked for a very brief time in Leamington caring for the six children of Lyman Overson who was recently widowed. Due to her age this quickly became a burden.She was greatly saddened by the death of Orson and his family. They were killed when their car collided with a train.
While living with Electa's family she always washed the dishes and kept the kitchen clean. She felt she could contribute to the household in this way.Her aprons and dresses were always starched and ironed nicely since she was very particular about her clothes. Her chair in the kitchen near the stove was where she would rest, especially in the evenings.Helen Anderson Humphries wrote"Each Sunday she visited with Alma(Caroline) in the afternoon until time to attend her sacrament meeting. After Alma (C) passed she visited each Sunday with Charles Nelson's mother".Info Helen- She was a better woman than I. (Gail)
She was unselfish and accepted hardships without compliant. Her last wish was to have her son make her casket.On October 30, 1935 she died of complications from a stroke at her daughter Electa's home in Leamington.Her grave is in its rightly place next to Sophus Harder in the Leamington Cemetery, Leamington, Millard County, Utah.
Note- When Ranee Harder Hannah ( Al's daughter) moved to Dalton, Georgia as a bride there was no Morman Church.She attended the Methodist Church with her husband.In the 1980's, a church was built. She rarely attended since it was uncomfortable and she felt much to radical for her.Her statement was the Utah church and people would not recoginize the ways of the Dalton church. This radical thinking was proven to be a fact when several missionary boys came by for a visit.Although she was always gracious and entertained them as guests,she also felt they really wanted her money as much as anything.The church leaders were putting pressure on her to attend and give.One day a discussion came about were absolute obedience to the church and church doctorine was the topic. Mama Hannah was a graduate of BYU and not one to accept everything said to her as the absolute truth. She said "I'm no fool. I was educated at BYU and I never heard such radical ststements that one was not to think for self".She quoted several professors writings,her mother and father, and scripture to prove her point. She believed and so stated that God gave her a mind to use and she could and would decide for herself what was right and wrong.Plural marriages was brought up and she flatly stated it was wrong now and was always wrong.The deep hurt of her father and the mistreatment of her grandmother were discussed. Her opinion was that Joseph Smith had issues in regard to women and children.Much pressure was brought to bear by church leaders and her brother,Glen,for her to recant. She refused,with the complete blessings of her children and daughter-in-law.She was excommunicated from the Morman Church.After this, she felt that her explanations of the church to Dalton friends over many years had been greatly damaged.Later,she joined Dalton First United Methodist Church.Gail
Mary was born July 9,1860 in Denmark. Her parents were Niels Erickson and Edel Kristine(also seen spelled Ellen Christine)Pederson Erickson.Mary was the oldest of nine children.Mary,Christian Peter,Belle Greta and Catherine were all born in Denmark. Her family came to the U.S.A. probably in 1869 and settled in Grantsville, Tooele County,Utah.Here Ellenors,Joseph,and Hyrum were born. They later moved to Dereset,Millard County,Utah were another son Orson was born. Mary's father died in 1890 in Desert leaving her mother to raise the younger children. She remained a widow for many years and in her later years she married John Henry Kinder.
On October 16,1884 Mary became the church(Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints) santioned second wife of Sophus Waldimer Harder.He and his first and legal wife,Alma Caroline Harder had no children. Prior to allowing the second marriage,Alma C.had an agreement that she would have total control of at least the first born son. Mary had a physical defect- one leg and one arm deformed, but unknown cause. Mary was the mother of five children, Electra Marie Harder(Anderson), Alma(Al) Martin Harder,Flora Christine Harder (Leavitt),Sophia Wilhelmina Harder(Robinson)(Swain),and Lillian Carline Harder.Lily died at the age of five months.Alma Martin Harder was taken from Mary and raised by Alma C. and Sophus.In 1890, the president of the church, with strong United States goverment pressure,issued a manifesto discontinuing the practice of plural marriages.The last daughter was born in 1893 so we know they were together after 1890. Support for Mary and their daughters ended in 1894 when Sophus,Alma C. and young Al moved to Leamington,Utah. Mary and her daughters were left behind in Oasis. Mary and her daughters cleaned the school and washed for people and did whatever they could to get by.At some point Flora went to live with her father, most likely to help take care of Sophus.Al did not find out about his mother until he was fourteen, and by his friends at that. He told his daughter that he was angry for a long time.He was sad that the church had allowed the practice and for the damage it had done to his mother and sisters.I can not imagine what turmoil that caused this young boy. I do know it affected the entire family later in life.(Gail) After the daughters married Mary continue to live in Oasis,until the 1920's she came to Leamington to live with her daughter, Electra Anderson and family.Al was devoted to his mother,Mary,until she died.She worked for a very brief time in Leamington caring for the six children of Lyman Overson who was recently widowed. Due to her age this quickly became a burden.She was greatly saddened by the death of Orson and his family. They were killed when their car collided with a train.
While living with Electa's family she always washed the dishes and kept the kitchen clean. She felt she could contribute to the household in this way.Her aprons and dresses were always starched and ironed nicely since she was very particular about her clothes. Her chair in the kitchen near the stove was where she would rest, especially in the evenings.Helen Anderson Humphries wrote"Each Sunday she visited with Alma(Caroline) in the afternoon until time to attend her sacrament meeting. After Alma (C) passed she visited each Sunday with Charles Nelson's mother".Info Helen- She was a better woman than I. (Gail)
She was unselfish and accepted hardships without compliant. Her last wish was to have her son make her casket.On October 30, 1935 she died of complications from a stroke at her daughter Electa's home in Leamington.Her grave is in its rightly place next to Sophus Harder in the Leamington Cemetery, Leamington, Millard County, Utah.
Note- When Ranee Harder Hannah ( Al's daughter) moved to Dalton, Georgia as a bride there was no Morman Church.She attended the Methodist Church with her husband.In the 1980's, a church was built. She rarely attended since it was uncomfortable and she felt much to radical for her.Her statement was the Utah church and people would not recoginize the ways of the Dalton church. This radical thinking was proven to be a fact when several missionary boys came by for a visit.Although she was always gracious and entertained them as guests,she also felt they really wanted her money as much as anything.The church leaders were putting pressure on her to attend and give.One day a discussion came about were absolute obedience to the church and church doctorine was the topic. Mama Hannah was a graduate of BYU and not one to accept everything said to her as the absolute truth. She said "I'm no fool. I was educated at BYU and I never heard such radical ststements that one was not to think for self".She quoted several professors writings,her mother and father, and scripture to prove her point. She believed and so stated that God gave her a mind to use and she could and would decide for herself what was right and wrong.Plural marriages was brought up and she flatly stated it was wrong now and was always wrong.The deep hurt of her father and the mistreatment of her grandmother were discussed. Her opinion was that Joseph Smith had issues in regard to women and children.Much pressure was brought to bear by church leaders and her brother,Glen,for her to recant. She refused,with the complete blessings of her children and daughter-in-law.She was excommunicated from the Morman Church.After this, she felt that her explanations of the church to Dalton friends over many years had been greatly damaged.Later,she joined Dalton First United Methodist Church.Gail
Inscription
Mary E. Wife of S.W. Harder; her inscription is on the right side of marker,facing south, Sophus facing west and Alma left side of Sophus facing north- Info generously gathered by Terry Jenson who made an extra trip to find position on stone
Family Members
Siblings
