4. Marriage & Family

When Hans returned home, he almost immediately set off to find Marinda. He simply asked her if she had found anyone else to marry, and when she said no he said he also had found no one else so the sooner they could get married the happier he would be. He was then required to ask Bishop Johnson, Marinda's step-father, for permission. Johnson was not obliged to let Hans marry her, thinking that Hans was too rough and rowdy as a cowboy, and Marinda too delicate and refined for him. Hans had a plan though, knowing that Johnson was likely to tell him no. Instead of wording his request in the usual way, Hans quickly stated, "Bishop, I guess you have no objections to my marrying your daughter?" Johnson quickly replied "no" thinking that he would refuse permission. Then with a twinkle in his eye, considering what he had just answered to, he gave Hans permission granted he would be the one to perform the marriage. They were married November 6, 1864, Hans leaving his spurs off his boots just long enough to kiss the bride.

He then followed the direction of Brigham Young by building a home, planting trees, fields and a garden, and quickly became one of the foremost farmers and stockmen in Goshen Valley.

Hans and Marinda had ten children, six girls at first then four boys. He was remembered for being a very kind and caring man, yet very disciplined when required. He involved his children in the house and farm work when they were old enough. He involved himself greatly in temple and family history work, going to the temple often to perform vicarious ordinances for his ancestors. He was also involved in politics and voted as a Democrat due to a political disagreement with Marinda, who voted as a Republican. Finally he was generous with his riches, often supporting the widows and poor in need.

Hans was very devoted to his wife and children, though some might argue that point due to, what some consider, the controversy of his polygamous marriage. One of the great lessons I learned in college though is to never judge the past by todays standards of understanding. While some may not understand the reasons behind the former LDS practice of plural marriage, most who have grown up in the LDS church, especially having ancestors who practiced plural marriage, either simply accept it on faith or study and understand it. Though I cannot guarantee that you will understand this issue through my explanation, especially as it concerns Hans, yet his story helps me understand and accept this practice as a part of my ancestry.

Laura Alice Dean, or Alice as she was called, was born on March 29, 1857 in Virginia. She was not born into an LDS family, and there is little known about her early life. She would eventually marry Jefferson Taylor Horton and would bear four children. In 1885, her dear husband and two of her children would die. Alice, heartbroken as any mother would be, moved back in with her parents where, in 1888, she would be converted to the LDS church. Being convinced that she could marry the missionary that taught her, she followed him to Utah along with her two children and her sister. The missionary, Steven Chipman, fearing that he would go to jail if he took Alice as his second wife, refused to marry her. She was left to fend for herself and her little family by doing odd jobs. It was while she was looking for employment that she met Hans. As Hans had a great empathy for widows, he hired Alice to work for him. The details of their eventual courtship and the approval of their marriage are not currently known, but on April 8, 1889 they were married in the Endowment House in Salt Lake City.

By this time in church and U.S. history, plural marriage had become illegal according to the Edmunds-Tucker Act. Try as they might to keep their marriage secret, with U.S. Marshalls breathing down their necks and peeking in their windows, their marriage was soon made public and Hans was arrested. In September 1889, Hans was charged with polygamy, or as Hans says it, "being too much married," and was sentenced to 5 years in jail. His conviction was published in the New York Times and the Salt Lake Tribune. When questioned, President Wilford Woodruff claimed he did not approve of the marriage. Then in October, 1890, President Woodruff released the Official Declaration 1 which states, "One case has been reported, in which the parties allege that the marriage was performed in the Endowment House, in Salt Lake City, in the Spring of 1889, but I have not been able to learn who performed the ceremony; whatever was done in this matter was without my knowledge. In consequence of this alleged occurrence the Endowment House was, by my instructions, taken down without delay." The marriage he references is that of Hans to Alice.

There are more details behind his marriage, which might only increase confusion, yet it must be remembered, in view of the facts stated here, that the full circumstances, facts, and reasons behind Hans' marriage, or even the LDS practice of plural marriage, might never be fully understood. As the scriptures say, the mysteries and wisdom of God are but foolishness to the shallow understanding of man. Instead of criticizing what I don't know or what I know I may never understand, I accept the wisdom of Hans, Wilford Woodruff, other church leaders, and God in the actions taken and the statements issued. Some call this blind faith, others might say I've given into blatant deception, but I simply call it faith and wisdom based on a glimpse of understanding and the witness of the Holy Spirit.

No matter the controversy, the fruits of this marriage are evident. Hans served a little over 21 months in prison, instead of the 5 years required, before he was given an official pardon by U.S. President Harrison. From this marriage came three children who lived good and honorable lives. Hans lived faithful to both of his wives, treating both of them with love and respect. He considered his marriage to Alice a religious duty, especially as it took a poor widow and her children out of poverty's grasp, and also followed the commandments of God. He built her a home of her own with a means of her own income along with the support he provided. I don't believe anyone can fault a man for taking a second wife out of duty, honor and in true charity, for few would fault the great Patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, for marrying more than one wife.