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Lant, David, first counselor in the Payson Ward Bishopric from 1877-1891, is a son of Thomas Lant and Ann Pointer, and was born March 14, 1830, at Romsey, Hampshire, England. He was baptized July 9, 1852, by Charles Longston, ordained a Priest Feb. 6, 1853, by Wm. Glover, ordained an Elder June 3, 1853, by J. H. Haine, and emigrated to Utah in 1855, crossing the plains in Mile Andrus' company. He located in Provo where he remained until 1858, when he removed to Payson, where he has resided ever since. He was ordained a Seventy May 17, 1857, by E. G. Riggs and ordained a High Priest and set apart as first counselor in the Payson Ward Bishopric June 6. 1877, by Apostle Erastus Snow. For many years he served as a Sunday school teacher, a Ward teacher and home missionary in the Utah Stake, always being an earnest worker in the Church and never refusing to do anything he was called upon to do. He has also held a number of secular offices of a local nature In 1850 (Feb. 25th) he married Elizabeth Earley; in 1869 (April 5th) he married Elsie Tanner; in 1888 (Aug. 12th), he married Elizabeth Davidson and in 1884 (Jan. 24th) he married Susanna Worth. With these wives he became the father of nine children, six of whom are now living. Early in life (in 1844), by an accident Brother Lant lost his left arm and all the fingers of the right hand except the forefinger and thumb. At the time of his conversion to "Mormonism" he held a good position with a railroad company in England, and after his arrival in Utah he had quite a struggle to make a living. At one time he taught school in Provo, but finally took to herding which avocation he followed for thirty years. Now, in his old age, he is comfortably situated financially. Bro. Lant's life should serve as an inspiration to many who think their lot in life is hard.
Andrew Jenson, Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia: A Compilation of Biographical Sketches of Prominent Men and Women in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 4 vols. Salt Lake City 2:154 |
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