John Tanner and his family

Page 25

12 John Tanner and His Family Southern California. Robert Eugene Bowen, great-grandson of Sidney Tanner, is a successful dentist in Salt Lake. There are others and the for its total health needs. family probably has enough to care In the field of education, Dr. Joseph Marion Tanner gained such wide fame as teacher and administrator that one instinctively mentions his name. But two grandsons of David Dan Tanner, Vasco Myron and Wilmer Webster Tanner achieved national and inter­ national acclaim as scientists in the biological field at Brigham Young University. Vasco's distinguished service has covered a half century. Sheldon C. Tanner, son of Joseph Marion Tanner, made an important name for himself in the academic field. He was an ac­ complished musician, a finely trained college professor, and a writer of college textbooks of note. There have been a few writers of note within the family. Joseph Marion Tanner, who for many years was prominently associated with the general boards of the church, traveled extensively and wrote numerous articles which were printed in church periodicals and newspapers. Henry Smith Tanner also contributed numerous articles to church periodicals. a Obert Clark Tanner, at the invitation of church officials, wrote number of texts and outlines for the church seminaries and insti­ Many of them have been through numerous printings. His important text, however, was one written for the Sunday schools the church at the invitation of President David O. McKay and tutes. most of entitled, Christ's Ideals for Living. Some of the most impressive items have come from the women who have-married into the Tanner family. John Tanner's wife Eliza­ beth has left a brief sketch of her life which is both valuable and 25 fascinating. Mary Jane Mount, wife of Myron, has left a voluminous journal book of poems. The author believes this to be one of the im­ portant journals of early Utah, and hopes to see it published. 26 and a Annie Clark Tanner, wife of Joseph Marion Tanner, has written book, A Mormon Mother, which at present is in its third printing and is said by some historians to be the best portrayal of the life of a plural wife yet written. a some they There are, of course, many family members who have done writing, and the author wishes to express his regrets if they feel should have been included in this short list. 27 But there is one