John Tanner and his family

Page 266

256 John Tanner and His Family During the six-year sojourn in Montrose, little is known about his farming activities. He states that Sidney and John Joshua were farming with their father, but fails to mention what he was doing. Would a guess that he had some arrangement with Amasa M. Lyman be far wrong? Likely not. no farm his interest was centered on what was the river in Nauvoo. He watched with pride as the going his heart beat a little faster as he noted the rise took and form, city of the majestic temple. He divided his time between making a living on the farm and his interest in the City of the Saints. He states, "I was in hearing of their drums, and I have run four miles and crost the But farm or on across river to be in the rank with my brethren." It would probably be un­ true to say that Nathan was not a good farmer and provider, but there were higher priorities, and the work of the church came first. Shortly before the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum, when it was whispered that Joseph would lead a party to the Far West, Nathan saddled his favorite horse and "Amasa M. Lyman and myself and others staid on the [west] bank of the Missipy River waiting for him him on his way torge the mountains." Had a mob tried the western prevent escape there would have been an exciting time, as men like Nathan and Amasa would have given a good account of themselves. Of course, as it turned out, with his voluntary surrender the prophet prevented any chance of a confrontation. to cross to see to Nathan's account of the trek across Iowa is one of the best. He turned out to be one of the most successful traders, and in his opinion, a successful "bargain" was a victory for the cause. The journals of others who were in his company attest to his success." Nathan seems to have arrived at the Missouri River along with the Tanner family which included Amasa M. Lyman. The approxi­ mately two years spent at Winter Quarters were comparatively un­ eventful, and Nathan did not write about things unless they were news­ worthy. He does mention that in 1847 he and his brother Freeman made a trip from the Missouri River back to Keokuk, Iowa, to assist the poor Saints who were stranded there. They left Winter Quarters with two teams, purchased one more team on the way, and "moved a Jurman [German] Company from Keokuk, Ioway, high up on the Desmoine [Des Moines] River, and raised a little money and brought back a company of poor Saints to Winter Quarters that fall. "10