The Harman/Harmon Family: A Legacy of Service, Enterprise, and Community Love

What would Granger be

without the Harman

family?

From the coal mines of Wales to the open lands of early Utah, the Harman family has made an extraordinary mark on the Granger area for generations. It all began with the journey of two Welsh immigrants

Charles Smith Harman

(CSH)

& MaryAnn Mathias Harman

(MAMH)

Immigrated from Wales to the United States.
Traveled to Utah by covered wagon, arriving in the Salt Lake Valley in 1859.
Raised a large family whose members became pillars of the Granger and West Valley community.

-let’s look at some of their posterity-

TREE BRANCH #1

Tree Branch 1: Charles Mathias Harman (son of CSH/MAMH) & martha (married 1868-died 1879) Margaret Ann Davis(Married 1882-Died 1942)

Operated a general store at 3918 W 3500 South, selling everything from necessities to penny candy and ice cream.

Charles Mathias Harman and Margaret Ann Davis built more than just a store—they built a gathering place where neighbors found necessities, treats, and kindness, creating a cornerstone of the Granger community

tree Branch 1: grandaughter martha of csh/mamh

After Charles died, their daughter Martha Davis Harman married Nicholas Clements Cannon, and in the 1940s the store became known as The Cannon Store, a cherished community fixture.

TREE BRANCH #2

tree Branch 2: David Williams Harman & son Orvin

grandson of CSH & MAMH through Charles Mathias

David Williams Harman & his son Orvin Harman , owned and operated several service stations, including the Associated Service Station at 3500 S and Redwood Road—a neighborhood staple for quality auto service. – More Than Just a Fill-Up

This wasn’t just a place to fill your tank—it was a place where customers were greeted with a smile and treated like family. In an era when full service truly meant full service, attendants would rush out to pump your gas, check your oil, clean your windshield, and even give the tires a solid “kick” to make sure everything was road-ready. While your car was being tended to, you could step inside the cozy station where David had thoughtfully stocked shelves with sweets, soda pop, and penny candy—a favorite stop for children and adults alike.

TREE BRANCH #3

TREE Branch 3: Grandson: David Reese Harman (married Grace Hemenway(Passed due to spanish flu)

David Reese Harman, later married (the wonderful)Caroline Hemenway

They Raised a family dedicated to hard work, faith, and community leadership.

Notable Descendants of David Reese Harman

Branch 3: Leon “Pete” Harman- son of David & Grace

Visionary entrepreneur who partnered with Colonel Harland Sanders to launch Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) worldwide. The reason KFC became a global household name—he believed in the Colonel’s dream and made it reality.
Philanthropist and civic leader:
- Rescued and renovated the Taylorsville Cemetery, preserving local heritage.
- Major donor behind the Hale Centre Theatre in West Valley, bringing professional arts to the community.
- Envisioned the original Westown Mall (near 3500 S & 4000 W) to support local shopping and economic growth & developed the area a differently when plans changed…he is resilient.
- Donated his family homestead (3600 W 4100 S) to become the Harman Senior Center, now a thriving hub for older adults.

Branch 3: George “Jake” Harmon-Son of David & Grace

Brother of Pete; chose to spell the last name with an “o.”
Owned a beloved Grocery Store in Salt Lake
In 1932 and moved the store Granger at & renamed it Harmons at 3500 S & 4000 W.
Today, Harmons has over 20 locations across Utah, known for:
- High-quality produce and local goods.
- Beautiful floral departments and modern store designs.
- Continued dedication to community connection and excellence.
- Local Family Ownership
  Family Owners: Irene and Jake Harmon
  Family Owners: Doreen and Terry Harmon
  Family Owners: Doreen with son randy harmon

Branch 3: Velma Harman Hoggan- Daughter of David & Grace

Sister of Pete and Jake.
Married Albert "Dutch" Hoggan, whose family owned a large farm at 3304 W 4700 South.
Together they built and operated the Duchess Bar-B-Q at 2956 W 3500 South, a longtime favorite local eatery.

Branch 3: VEliza Harman- Daughter of David & Grace

Another sister in this remarkable family.
Owned a popular beauty salon in the area, beloved by generations of women.
Her shop was awarded Salon of the Year, and she was one of Utah’s few hair analysis experts.

TREE BRANCH #4

This wonderful Branch is tied into Branch 3 in marvelous ways- Mother Caroline- who was called”Carrie” and Aunt “Carrie”

She tied them together with a beautiful bow

George Harman and Caroline “Carrie” Hemenway Harman

In 1895, George Reece Harman married Caroline “Carrie” Hemenway, daughter of Lachoneus Hemenway. Interestingly, George’s brother David Harman also married into the family, wedding Carrie’s sister, Grace Hemenway. George and Carrie made a strong team from the beginning—starting their life together by farming part of the Hemenway family homestead. Through hard work and perseverance, they eventually purchased their own farmland and raised a family of seven children.

Tragically, in 1912, George passed away unexpectedly from pleurisy. At the time of George’s death the children ranged in the age of 15 to just 3 years old. Carrie was left to manage both a large farm and the responsibility of providing for her family and she went right to work taking care of the farm and children.

………7 years of” Carrie” being a widow……

In January 1919, Carrie’s sister Grace died during the influenza pandemic, leaving behind nine children. Later that year, on October 29, 1919, Carrie married her widowed brother-in-law, David Reece Harman, in the Salt Lake Temple—for time only. Known affectionately as “Aunt Carrie,” she helped raise Grace’s nine children, including a newborn baby named Pete, with love and devotion.

George and Caroline “Carrie” Harman daughters: Annie, Marjory and Mignon. They also had 4 boys

George and Caroline daughter Caroline Mignon Harman. married Charles R. Palmer—a hardworking farmer and skilled builder who helped shape the early neighborhoods of Kearns and Granger, Utah. As part of the original crew to construct the first 100 homes in Kearns, Charles passed on his dedication to craftsmanship and honesty to their sons, Gary and Ron Palmer.

Following in their father's footsteps, Gary and Ron co-founded HR Builders, becoming two of the most respected homebuilders in the Salt Lake Valley. From modest beginnings—working out of their homes and building with their own hands—they went on to construct thousands of single-family homes, apartment communities like Village Green and Stonehedge, and office spaces such as Professional Plaza. At one time, one out of every ten homes in Granger was built by the Palmer family.

Known for their quality construction and commitment to the community, the Palmers maintained high standards and lived among the people they built for. They were men of both industry and faith—Ron serving as a bishop and on the Board of Home Builders, and Gary as a county planning commissioner and stake presidency counselor.

Their legacy—rooted in the Harman family’s values and carried forward through generations—is etched not only in brick and mortar but in the strength, pride, and livability of the neighborhoods they helped build.

Outstanding Peoplesheri biesingerMay 19, 2025Harmon, Harman, charles, charles smithComment