Ephraim Hanks

Ephraim Knowlton Hanks (21 March 1826 – 9 June 1896) was a prominent member of the 19th-Century Latter Day Saint movement, a Mormon pioneer and a well known leader in the early settlement of Utah.

Hanks left home at age 16, working for a time on the Erie Canal and then serving in the United States Navy.

Returning home to Ohio, he learned his brother Sidney had joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

He left the main body of emigrants to join Company B of the Mormon Battalion, United States Army, and marched with them to San Diego as a private.

As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Hanks practiced plural marriage, having 4 wives and 26 children.

His wives were Harriet Amelia Decker (m. 22 September 1848), Jane Maria Capener (m. 27 March 1856), Thisbe Quilley Read (m. 5 April 1862).

Then he took out his great hunting knife, held to the fire to cleanse it, and took off the dying limb with its keen blade; many with tears in their eyes said they hadn't felt a thing."