Kindred Tales: The Second Wife

Thomas and Mahaleth Beard

"In this day and age it is easy to fall into the trap of thinking a new car, job promotion, beauty makeover, or some level of fame will make us happy. And sometimes it happens - for a time. But it never lasts because wealth, power, beauty and fame simple don't bring lasting happiness, as much as we wish they would. Rather, true happiness comes from following Christ's example and developing Godlike attributes such as goodness, love, justice and mercy. It comes from serving others and helping them to follow the example and teachings of Jesus Christ. It comes from overcoming the appteties of our human bodies and instead following the promptings of the Spirit. It comes from working hard and having a healthy lifestyle, friends, family, and personal achievements. Regardless of what you do or don't have in this life, your deepest, most lasting happiness will come from knowing God's plan and following it."

These words from lds. org are exemplified by my Great, Great Grandmother, Haley Tanner.

Mahaleth “Haley” Abiah Tanner was born March 30, 1867, in Union, Utah, to John Joshua and Mahaleth Chase Tanner.

Little is known of her life before her marriage June 27, 1884, at the age of seventeen, to my Great, Great Grandfather, Thomas Beard, Jr., age 48. They were sealed for time and all eternity in the Endowment House.

Mary Ann Openshaw Beard
Thomas' First Wife

In this union, she became Thomas’ second wife. As a young man of 22, Thomas had married Mary Ann Openshaw, age 35, the young widow of James Simister. Hence, at the time of Thomas’ marriage to Haley, he had already been married to his first wife, Mary Ann, for twenty-five years.

President Wilford Woodruff

Three years later, only eight months after the birth of Haley’s first son, John Tanner Beard, her husband was called on a mission by President Wilford Woodruff on October 15, 1887, to his native land, Great Britain, where he labored for two years “without purse or script”. He departed, leaving Haley and young John alone during this service, undoubtedly lonesome for their husband and father. The missionary was described as being willing at any time to oppose friend or foe in defense of the Gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Although it is hard for us to understand the relationships in a plural marriage, everyone said how kind and thoughtful "Aunt Haley" was to Mary Ann, who was known as “Grandmother Beard”. They lived in separate homes, but Haley took care of Mary Ann, especially in her old age. Mary Ann passed away in 1901.

Several years before his marriage to Haley, Thomas (who had been a coal miner most of his life) had been called by the President of the Summit Stake to devote his time to growing vegetables, seeds and flowers. Haley loved flowers and helped her husband in this activity from which they made a very meager income, as the climate in Coalville was quite cold. She also assisted Thomas in landscaping many homes and gardens in Coalville for which they won many blue ribbons and gold medals for best displays at the Summit County Fair.

In 1907, Thomas was called to care for the Coalville Tabernacle, both inside and out. The Beard family labored together to upgrade the grounds and plant flower beds and shrubs. It became known as one of the most beautiful spots in the state and people traveled from all over Utah to see it. The General Conference of the Church was held in this tabernacle at one time, and many spoke of the beautiful building and landscaped grounds.

Thomas Beard passed away December 23, 1917, leaving Haley a widow at age 50.

Haley continued to be known as a willing helper to anyone who needed her help. During the bad flu epidemic of 1918 “Aunt Haley”, as she was affectionately called, went from home to home to nurse and care for the sick, but she, herself, never contacted the flu.