David Mathias Harman (1838–1923)
A Legacy of Hard Work, Land, and Integrity in Granger

David Mathias Harman was born in South Wales in 1838, the son of Charles Smith Harman and Mary Mathias. As a young man, he joined the Mormon faith and married Sarah Evans in 1858. They had two children, Benjamin and Mary Ann Harman, born in Wales.

Hoping to join the main body of the Church in Utah, David and Sarah left Wales in 1864. They sailed from Liverpool to New York and crossed the country by wagon train. They arrived in Salt Lake City on October 4, 1864. Sadly, Sarah’s health was too fragile for the journey — she passed away the very next day, leaving David alone with their two young children.

David stayed in Salt Lake with his parents, who had come to Utah in 1860. Two years later, in 1866, he married Mary Williams. Together they raised seven more children: David Williams Harman, Sarah, Catherine, Margaret, Martha, Charles, and Elizabeth Ann Harman. Many of these children and their descendants became well-known families in Granger — names still familiar in the area today.

David was known for his strong work ethic and honesty. He worked as a railroad and canal contractor, helping build railroads from El Paso, Texas to Mexico, in Utah from Salt Lake to Ogden, and in Idaho from Ketchum to Hailey. At one point, he and two partners took on a large railroad contract that failed, leaving a debt of $20,000 — an enormous sum at the time. His partners declared bankruptcy, but David refused to walk away from what he owed. Instead, he mortgaged his home and everything he owned to pay the workers what they were due.

To repay the debt, David went to Mexico to help build another railroad, while his wife Mary ran the farm, tended the animals, sold milk, fruit, eggs, and vegetables, and paid the taxes. Together they paid back every penny and even paid tithing on what little they earned. In the end, they saved enough to never face such hardship again.

David kept working all his life — including on the Granger farm that many of his descendants still cherish. He passed down more than land: he passed down a reputation for honesty, sacrifice, and grit.

Today, many Harmans in the Granger area can thank David Harman for the land they live on and the strong example he set — a reminder of what hard work, faith, and integrity can build for generations to come.

David Mathias Harman’s major life achievements

Joined the Mormon faith in Wales — Committed to his beliefs despite challenges and chose to gather with the main body of the Church in Utah.
Emigrated from Wales to Utah (1864) — Bravely crossed the Atlantic by ship and the American plains by wagon train with his young family, arriving in Salt Lake City in October 1864.
Endured deep personal loss with courage — After his wife Sarah died just one day after reaching Utah, David stayed strong to care for and raise their two small children.
Remarried and raised a large family — Married Mary Williams in 1866 and together they raised seven more children, many of whom became well-known Granger pioneers.
Became a respected railroad and canal contractor — Worked on major railroad projects in Utah, Idaho, Texas, and even Mexico—helping connect and build communities in the West.
Paid off a massive $20,000 debt with integrity — When a railroad partnership failed, David refused to declare bankruptcy. He mortgaged his home, left for Mexico to earn more, and repaid every penny owed to his workers.
Maintained his family farm in Granger — Managed and improved farmland that supported his family and was passed down through generations—land that still benefits the Harman name in the area today.
Modeled honest, fair business dealings — Known for paying tithing faithfully, treating neighbors fairly, and ensuring his family lived debt-free and with a good name.
Left a lasting legacy of work ethic and community impact — His descendants have carried forward his example in farming, business, and civic life in Granger/West Valley City.
Lived a full life of resilience and service — From a small village in Wales to the Utah frontier, David’s life is a testament to sacrifice, hard work, and the power of keeping one’s word.

David Williams Harman & Orvin Harman — More Than Just a Fill-Up

Carrying On the Legacy: The David B. Harman Store & Service Station, 1922

David Williams Harman, son of pioneer David Mathias Harman, carried forward his family’s reputation for hard work and honest business. Together with his son Orvin, David Williams owned and operated several service stations that became trusted neighborhood gathering places in Granger and the surrounding area.

One of their best-known stations was the Associated Service Station at 3500 South and Redwood Road( North East Corner) For local families, it was far more than a spot to fuel up—it was a friendly stop where customers were greeted by name and treated like neighbors.

In the days of true full service, David and Orvin’s attendants would hustle out the moment a car pulled in—pumping gas, checking the oil, washing windshields, and giving the tires a good “kick” to be sure the car was road-ready. While cars were cared for outside, folks could come inside the small station store where David had stocked shelves with sweets, soda pop, and penny candy. For many neighborhood kids, a visit with their parents meant a treat and a smile they’d never forget.

Through long hours and friendly service, David Williams Harman and Orvin built more than a business—they built trust and community. Like David’s pioneer father before him, they passed on a legacy of honest work, neighborly care, and a name the Granger area remembers with pride.

Attributes and qualities that the David Mathias Harman family

Descended from David Harman (1838–1923), have consistently shown and shared to benefit the community:

Hard Work & Perseverance
From David Harman’s days mortgaging his farm to pay off debts honestly, to his descendants tending farms, businesses, and service stations—work was never halfway done. They set a standard for grit, self-reliance, and long hours that lifted the whole community.
Integrity & Honesty
David’s choice to pay every debt in full—even when partners walked away—set an example that his children and grandchildren followed. The Harmans became known as trustworthy neighbors and fair business owners.
Generosity & Community Spirit
The original Harman farm in Granger supported not just the family but neighbors too. Later generations, like David Williams Harman and Orvin, ran businesses that were warm gathering places where everyone felt welcome—sharing treats with kids, helping travelers, and supporting local needs.
Entrepreneurial Drive
From pioneer farming and railroads to running local service stations and other businesses, the Harmans always looked for ways to build and serve. They helped bring needed services to a growing rural community.
Neighborliness & Service
At their service stations, David Williams and Orvin Harman showed that business could feel like family. They offered real full service, treated every customer with kindness, and taught that small acts—like a clean windshield and a handful of penny candy—made a difference.
Faith & Family Values
Generations of Harmans kept strong family ties, supported their local church wards, and passed on traditions of sacrifice, stewardship, and gratitude for blessings, no matter how simple.
Good Stewards of the Land
David Harman’s farmland, carefully tended and divided among children, helped the area grow. The family’s respect for land use, farming, and fair dealing shaped Granger’s agricultural roots.

The Legacy of David MathiasHarman: Land, Labor, and an Honest Name