Present at the gathering were Robert L. Redford and Elizabeth Dewsnup Redford, Robert G. Archibald and Lois Dewsnup Archibald, Ross Dewsnup Redford and Seth D. Redford, who acted as scribe while those who knew Hiram Dewsnup, conversed and verified the statements as they remembered them.
Robert Archibald's account: "I met Grandfather (Hiram Dewsnup) in late Aug of 1898. Grandfather was then dry-farming on the Rexburg, ID bench. Grandfather and Hyrum Ricks were the first to take up homesteads on the bench and were the first to introduce dry-farming in the area."
Grandfather's dream: While living in Deseret, Millard, UT, Grandfather saw Hyrum Ricks and himself handling sand that looked like gold. Later Hyrum Ricks and Grandfather felt golden grain seive through their fingers. An interpretation of the dream. Grandfather and his family traveled from Deseret, UT to Rexburg, ID in a covered wagon. Upon arriving in Rexburg, Grandfather saw Hyrum Ricks standing in a store doorway and immediately recognized him as the man in his dream.
Robert Archibald: "While at Rexburg, Grandfather held many positions in the church and was also a good community worker. Some of the positions he held were: Councilman, Trustee of Schools, Chairman of the City Council (now Mayor) and Justice of the Peace, all at Rexburg. Grandfather had a sound, unshakable testimony of the truthfulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And he was one of the best read in the scriptures. Grandfather died 25 Feb 1911, after he moved to Gridley, CA."
Robert L. Redford: "Grandfather had a general mercantile store at Rexburg called THE PEOPLE'S STORE. I knew him as a man of definite opinions. One day Grandfather was arguing with a man about city affairs, when the argument became heated, the man calling Grandfather a liar. Grandfather hit the man so hard that he knocked him down whereupon the argument ended.
"Grandfather was a low, heavy-set man about 185 pounds in weight, and had a dark complexion. I remember asking Grandfather for his daughter, Elizabeth, to be my wife. In those days it was not only proper, but an expected event to ask for the right to marry, and Grandfather was one who expected young men to ask. 'Brother Dewsnup', I asked, 'Your daughter and I have talked things over and we have decided that we would like to get married, with your permission.' Grandfather waited for a minute and then said, 'Well, I don't think I have any objections!'
"Grandfather liked Rexburg but he told me he had four reasons for going to California, where they moved in 1906:
1. It was too cold at Rexburg
2. There was better fruit in California
3. When we get older our blood gets thinner and we need a warmer climate
4. There was too much competition with the bigger mercantil stores at Rexburg."
Aunt Lois: "Father was a man of firm conviction. When we would ask him a question, he would automatically say, "NO!" The next morning after Robert proposed, Grandfather said, "Well, Lois, I think Robert is a fine boy, but I never liked RED HAIR!" Mildred, my daughter, was born Apr 1906 and was nine months old when Father left Rexburg to go to California. He was a man of great vision who enjoyed the inspiration of the spirit and was guided throughout his life by it."
Hiram Dewsnup's brothers and sisters:
1. Esther Dewsnup
2. Joseph Dewsnup--never left England. Was a Branch Pres. of
the Josephite Religion.
3. Mary Dewsnup (came to America)
4. Ann Dewsnup (1st husband, Warner)
5. Phoebe Dewsnup
6 John Dewsnup
7. Hiram Dewsnup
EMILY MACE, Hiram Dewsnup's wife, also held many positions in the Church. She was Relief Society Teacher for many years and especially good at giving readings. She was religious but kept her feet on the ground.
Emily Mace's brothers and sisters:
1. Henry Mace 5. Elvira Mace
2. Hyrum Mace 6. Celestia Mace
3. Edwin Mace 7. Marietta Mace (Aunt Mitty)
4. Charles Mace 8. Elizabeth Mace
Emily Mace's father, Hiram Mace, was Mayor in Fillmore, UT for many years. He was a religious man but not a pious man.
Hiram and Emily were married 27 Aug 1873 in Fillmore, UT. A year and two months later, 26 Oct 1874, they were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple. From this union 12 children were born:
1. Bertha Ann Dewsnup (Elder) 20 Jul 1874
2. Hyrum Edwin Dewsnup 5 Dec 1875
3. Emily Lois Dewsnup (Archibald) 21 Aug 1877
4. John Franklin Dewsnup 23 May 1879
5. Phoebe Elizabeth Dewsnup (Redford) 20 Mar 1881
6. Ernest Dewsnup 12 Jan 1883
7. Claude Mace Dewsnup 16 May 1886
8. Eva May Dewsnup (Curtis) 21 Oct 1888
9. Elsie Viola Dewsnup (Bigler) 16 Dec 1891
10.Joseph Acell Dewsnup 14 Jun 1892
11.Clara Adell Dewsnup 5 Jul 1893
12.William Cecil Dewsnup 2 Jul 1895
Grandfather also married Elizabeth Rotherham, 31 Jan 1884 in Salt Lake Temple. Elizabeth Rotherham was baptized, received her endowments and was sealed in marriage the same day.
Samuel W. Western met Elizabeth and her sister, Ann, while he was on a mission to England. Upon his release he brought them home to Deseret, UT with him. Ann Rotherham married George B. Black.
Aunt Lois: "The Bishopric called at our home many nights to persuade Mother to give her consent to this second marriage. We believe she gave her consent and taught her children to respect the second wife."
From this second union seven children were born:
1. Charles Dewsnup (lived only a few months) 24 Nov 1885
2. Emily Dewsnup (died in infancy) 15 Apr 1887
3. Laura Dewsnup (md. twice) 29 Mar 1889
4. George Dewsnup 17 Jun 1891
5. Arthur Dewsnup 7 Aug 1893
6. Ruby Dewsnup 13 Jun 1895
7. Last child died with mother at birth
At one time a woman was possessed of evil spirits. Her name was 'Cahoun', called Grandmother Cahoun. Grandfather laid his hands on her head and rebuked the evil spirits, whereupon they left her. Grandfather was so weak after the administration he could feel the effects for many days.
Grandfather and the Bishop of the Ward were called on to administer to a man who was very sick. After the administration the Bishop and Grandfather were sitting by the bed. The man's daughter was at the foot of the bed. Grandfather looked up to see the man staring at him. So forceful were his eyes that Grandfather could not take his eyes from him. The Bishop, noticing the problem tapped Grandfather on the knee whereupon the man's glance changed to his daughter and she fainted. The man than closed his eyes and died.
While Grandfather was a boy in England he had a vision. Two missionaries were told about the vision and while Grandfather dictated they wrote it down. Grandfather carried the written manuscript in his vest pocket. Years later Grandfather destroyed the manuscript because he received so much torment from his fellows. They called him a visionary man. The vision described the hereafter and stated if we knew how wonderful it was to live in the hereafter we should be tempted to take our lives to get there faster.
Grandfather had a deep spiritual understanding. He lived in another world while here upon the earth. Sometimes he was unhappy here knowing so much about the other world.
Grandfather was visited at the store by his mother, who had passed away. His mother stated he should dedicate his daughter, Lois, and his second child and oldest daughter. Grandfather immediately bless the child and dedicated her to the Lord whereupon the child died.
Aunt Lois Dewsnup Archibald related this vision she personally had received. One evening when she was about eight years of age there was a program at the Ward House. Her brother, Edwin, was to stay with her until she fell asleep. While Lois was meditating before going to sleep, she saw her Grandfather John Dewsnup standing in the doorway to her room clothed in his temple clothes. Nothing was said and the vision vanished. John Dewsnup had passed away while Grandfather Hirum Dewsnup was on a mission.
John Dewsnup, son of Joseph and Ann (Duncan) Dewsnup, was born 21 Jul 1814 in Manchester, England. He emigrated from Manchester in 1863. He was baptized 19 Apr 1850 in Manchester, Eng. by J. Yates of the Manchester Branch of the British Mission at the age of 36, at 7 Loom St. or Prussia St. He died in Deseret, Millard, UT 23 Jan 1883.