Death info on Ezra Merkley

Ezra Merkley was Asher's older brother.

Photo from the personal album of Sarah Nielsen

According to these documents the following dates apply:

BIRTH: 23 Sept 1887- Vernal, Uintah, Utah

DEATH: 18 Jan 1919- Vernal, Uintah, Utah

He was 31 years old when he died of the flu.

Death notice:

SOURCE: Myton Free Press 1919, Jan 23, p.5

Death notice transcribed:
Ezra Merkley died last week in Vernal, of flu.  He was a very promising young man.

Obituary:

SOURCE: Vernal Express 1919, Jan 17, p.1

Obituary transcribed:
Ezra Merkley dies a Victim of the Influenza Disease
Ezra Merkley, one of the best known residents of this city, died at his home Saturday evening shortly after 11 o'clock, as a result of pneumonia, superinduced by heart failure.  He had been ill, but a week, and his death will be received by his many friends with sincere regret.  Having been afflicted with heart trouble more or less through his life, he proved to be an easy victim to the dreaded influenze-pneumonia.  He is survived by a widow and three young children.
Mr. Merkley was born in Vernal 31 years ago last September and is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Merkley of this city.  He has always made his home here and has been one of the stalwart members of the community, and an ardent member of the "Mormon" church.  He was the bookkeeper at the Ashley Co-operative company for some time and was an untiring worker, giving the best there was in him.
Brief funeral services will be held at the city cemetery Monday afternoon with but members of the family present, due to the Influenza quarantine.

Death Certificate:

SOURCE: familysearch.org

There's a bit of a discrepancy here, as the article (published on Friday, 17 Jan 1919) says that he died the NEXT day on Saturday, 18 Jan 1919 at 11pm.  How the paper could forecast into the future like that, I don't know, but the death certificate confirms that he did indeed pass away on the 18th.

Death info on Aaron Lewis

 Aaron Lewis was one of Birda's older brothers.

Photo from the personal albums of Bryce Merkley
Photo cropped from original image

According to these documents the following dates apply:

BIRTH: 17 Jan 1891- Midway, Wasatch, Utah*

DEATH: 16 Nov 1903- Vernal, Uintah, Utah

He was 11 years old when he died of diphtheria. 

 Newspaper notice:

SOURCE: Vernal Express 1903, Nov 21, p.3

Newspaper notice transcribed:
Aaron, the eleven year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Siney Lewis of Lines ward, died Monday evening after a brief illness of what was pronounced diphtheria by the attending physician.  The funeral occurred Tuesday.

Death certificate:

SOURCE: familysearch.org

The following is an excerpt from the memoir, "Memories of My Father, Siney Lewis Sr." written in June 1958 by his daughter, Mary Hatch, regarding the passing of Aaron:

"In 1904, another dear little brother, Aaron, our baby boy, passed away with that dreaded disease diphtheria.  This was the first time in my life I ever saw my father cry.  His faith was almost shaken.  He tragically missed that little shadow behind him, and his constant happy chatter.  From then on Papa would fall and be unconscious at times.  None of the doctors in those days seemed to know the cause.  It was a very frightening thing to the whole family..."

The following is an excerpt from the memoir, "The Life of My Mother- Elizabeth Coleman Lewis" written by her daughter, Mary Hatch (date unknown) also regarding Aaron's passing:

"... Aaron, died of that dreaded disease diphtheria.  Everyone was afraid to come near the house, and as was the custom, the burial was held at night.  The little fellow was taken out on the lawn away from the house.  A man placed him in a casket as if the disease were a crime or that the darkness prevented the spread of the germs.  The family hovered together at a little back window and watched the light that slowly led the way to the cemetery.  I wondered at that time if Mother could ever be happy again as I saw her burning his little clothes.  I remember the unselfish courage with which we faced life again..."

The following is an excerpt from "My Life" (p.13) written by Mary Hatch 25 Dec 1956, also regarding Aaron's passing:

"... It was a January thaw, the water was running down the road in streams.  Aaron came home from school sick.  He had walked in the water and his feet were wet and cold.  The next day he was sick and couldn’t go back to school and the next day he was worse.  I was scrubbing the floor and, as I came near his bed, I reached over and kissed him and talked to him.  He didn’t seem too sick.  He was always such a happy-go-lucky little boy and I can still see his dear little face.  While I was still on my knees, I heard Minnie crying loudly in the kitchen.  As I went in to see what the matter was, she and Mother were talking in whispers.  She was telling Mother that Aaron was going to die.  We didn’t think of it too seriously; we thought it just was a whim of a teenage girl.  That night we carried our baby Birdia up the stairs to bed.  We were all laughing and happy.  In the night Father rushed up the stairs with the sad news of Aaron’s death.  They had Doctor Garret come but it was too late.  The poor little fellow had gone to sleep, but after a short time, he awoke struggling for breath.  He had died of diphtheria.  Mother and Father were heart-broken to stand by and be so helpless.  None of us ever saw him after his death.  It was almost unbearable for us all to be together and our little brother to be in a dark room alone.  Outside of the family, we were alone- no one came to the house and , oh, the precautions they took to keep the rest of us from taking it.

After a day or two, a man named Cambal Lister, a neighbor, took him out on the snowy front of the house and prepared him for burial.  It was night and just a few, just those that were needed, took a lantern for light and went to the cemetery.  To go in the daytime, they might meet someone and everyone was so afraid they would get the germ.  We all sat at the little back window and watched the light and wept to see our little boy taken away.  This was my first real sorrow.  Months after, when I’d hear music, I’d have a hard [p14] time to control my emotions.  Poor Father broke down and cried, he missed so much the little pattering feet and the little shadow that was always behind him. 

Mother fumigated, scrubbed, and burned everything she thought he had even touched while he was sick.  The last things were his little overalls.  They were part of him and her heart bled in doing this..."

The following is an excerpt from the "History of Charley Lewis" (p.8) written by Charlie Lewis and found in the personal albums of Patty Stewart, also regarding Aaron's passing:
"...I remember the night that we were all sick upstairs and Aaron had the diphtheria.  Dr. Garret was the Dr. then.  She would always put on a big robe when she would get out of her buggy and come in that so no germs would get [through] the robe.

She tried everything else and experimented with everything she could there, but the last thing she did was put a needle in his spine, and he died from the effects of that I guess.  I remember the funeral as it went up the road with lanterns on the buggies at night.  They had to bury him at night ‘cause everyone was so scared of the diphtheria.  I recall Dad coming upstairs and telling us that Aaron had just died, and then I lay there in bed thinking about his death, and feeling so bad about it.  I was eleven years old when Aaron died..."

Photo from the personal albums of David Ahrnsbrak
Photo cropped from original image

* Birth location was found on a family group sheet within the genealogy albums of Bryce Merkley, May 2012.

Death info on Ellis Merkley

 Ellis Merkley was Asher's eldest brother.

Photo from the personal albums of Sarah Neilsen

According to these documents the following dates apply:

BIRTH: 2 May 1885- Vernal, Uintah, Utah

DEATH: 22 Mar 1976- Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah

He was almost 91 years old when he died.

Death notice:

SOURCE: Salt Lake Tribune 1976, Mar 25, p.10B

Death notice transcribed:

MERKLEY- Funeral services for Ellis Merkley will be held Friday at 12 noon at Russon Brothers Mortuary Chapel, 255 South 2nd East where friends may call Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Friday prior to services.  Interment , Salt Lake City Cemetery. Funeral directors Russon Brothers Mortuary.

Obituary:

SOURCE: Salt Lake Tribune 1976, Mar 24, p.28

Obituary transcribed:

Ellis Merkley

Ellis Merkley, 90, 1924 10th East, died March 22, 1976, in a Salt Lake hospital after a short illness.

Born May 2, 1885, Vernal, to Nelson and Keturah Peterson Merkley.  Married Jean Eleanor Gerber, June 17, 1908, Salt Lake Temple; she died, Dec. 26, 1972.  Retired civil service employee, schoolteacher; served two terms as Utah Senate chaplain.

Survivors: sons, daughters, Aird G., Dr. Harold E., Mrs. Harlan W. (Geraldine) Clark, all Salt Lake City; Thurman G., Portland, Ore.; Mrs. Eugene T. (Margret) Condie, Freemont, Calif.; Dr. Ralph G., Saratoga, Calif. 15 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; sister, Mrs. Margret M. Hansen, Salt Lake City; foster sister, Mrs. Clair (Ellen) Fletcher, Salt Lake City.

Funeral Friday noon, 255 2nd East, where friends call Thursday 6-8 p.m. and Friday one hour before service.  Burial Salt Lake City Cemetery.

Funeral program:

From the personal albums of Sarah Neilsen

Local Obituary:

SOURCE: Vernal Express 1976, Apr 1, p.12

Local Obituary transcribed:
Ellis Merkley Dies In Salt Lake City
Funeral services for Ellis Merkley, Salt Lake City, were held March 26, at the Russon Mortuary in Salt Lake City.  Mr. Merkley, 91, died March 22, 1976.
Mr. Merkley was born May 2, 1885, the oldest child of Nelson and Keturah Peterson Merkley.  He was a native of Vernal and all of his early years were spent here where he graduated from the Uintah Academy.  He later attended the LDS College in Salt Lake City.  After filling an LDS mission to the Southern States, he was married June 17, 1908 to Jean Eleanor Gerber in the Salt Lake Temple.  Mrs. Merkley died December 26, 1972.
In 1932 he moved his family to Salt Lake City.  Mr. Merkley was active in church and community affairs.
Funeral services were conducted at  Russon Brothers Mortuary chapel by Bishop Richard J. Anderson Friday, Mar 26. Family prayer was given by Aird G. Merkley.  Prelude and postlude was played by Anna F. Bailey.
Remarks were given by Bishop Richard J. Anderson and speakers were Harlan W. Clark and Pres. Richard Horton.  Two vocal solos were sung by Loile Bailey, "The Twenty-third Psalm" and "I Sahll Not Pass Again This Way."  Benediction was given by Bishop Wayne B. Merkley.  Interment was at the Salt Lake City Cemetery.
Casket bearers were sons and sons-in-law Aird G. Merkley, Dr. Harold E. Merkley, Thurman G. Merkley, Dr. Ralph G. Merkley, Harln W. Clark and Eugene T. Condie.  Honorary casket bearers were grandsons; Glade B. Merkley, Wayne B. Merkley, Nelson A. Merkley and Paul M. Clark.
The grave was dedicated by Nelson A. Merkley.
Attending from Vernal were Mr. and Mrs. David Condon, Alice Murray, Mrs. A. R. Ahrnsbrak and Mr. and Mrs. Harold Davis, also Clyde and Clifton Merkley of Tridell.
He is survived by six children, Aird G., Dr. Harold E., Mrs. Harlen W. (Geraldine) Clark, Salt Lake City; Thurman G., Portland, Oregon; Mrs. Eugene T. (Margaret) Condie, Fremont, California; and Dr. Ralph G., Sacramento, California.  He had 18 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandchild.
*Spelling and punctuation corrected wherein I was aware.

Because Ellis died in the last 50 years, his death certificate will not become publicly available until sometime around the year 2026.  When it is available, I will include it here.

Death info on Franklin Lewis

Franklin C. Lewis was one of Birda's older brothers.

Photo from the personal albums of Dallas Workman

According to this obituary, the following dates apply:

BIRTH: 22 Jul 1885- (near) Holliday, Salt Lake, Utah

DEATH: 11 Apr 1973- Centerville, Davis, Utah

BURIED: Vernal Memorial Park, Vernal, Uintah, Utah

He was 87 years old when he died.

Local Obituary:

SOURCE: Vernal Express  1973, Apr 26, p.16

Local Obituary transcribed:
Franklin C. Lewis Internment in Vernal
Funeral services honored a former resident of Vernal, Franklin C. Lewis, April 14, in the Centerville 6th Ward Chapel, Bishop Robert A. Trump, officiated.  Family Prayer was offered by William Pearce.  Prelude and postlude music was by Judy Madsen.
The Centerville 6th Ward choir sang "Oh My Father."  Anson Perkins offered the invocation.  Ben Lindsey and Bishop Trump were speakers at the services.  The ward choir sang "Still, Still With Thee."  The closing song was "I Am A Child of Royal Birth," by Trudy Rohletter and Shirley Beeton.
Robert Arbuckle offered the benediction.  The 6th Ward Relief Society assisted with the flowers.  Pallbearers were Ray Workman, Bud Allison, Douglas Pay, Stephen Gehring, Bryce Merkley and Don Hullinger.
Mr. Lewis 87, died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Dallas (Geneve) Workman, April 11 of causes incident to age.  He was born near Holliday, Utah July 22, 1885.  He came to Ashley Valley with his parents Siney and Elizabeth Coleman Lewis in 1896.
He did some farming but was a master carpenter and cabinet maker.  He attende the Utah State University.  He married Marie Hardy, 1914.  They had one daughter, Frances, and were later divorced. He married Frances Paxman in the Salt Lake Temple, September 1924.  She preceded him in death.
Following his wife's death he went to live with his daughter, Geneve Workman, and resided at her home in Centerville, nine years prior to his death.
Mr. Lewis was eulogized at his funeral in Centerville for his faithfulness to the LDS Church and for his sense of humor and cheerfulness.  He is survived by one son, George Robert, Rangely; two daughters Geneve Workman, Centerville and Francis Allison of Richmond, Virginia, 10 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, one brother, Charles P. Lewis, one sister, Jennie L. Hullinger, both of Vernal.
Graveside services were held at the Vernal Memorial Park in Vernal.  A short talk on the life of Frank, his family and associates by Clarence Palmer and also Bishop Robert A. Trump of Centerville talked of Frank's life in Centerville and praised the Workman family for their kindness to their father and grandfather.  The grave was dedicated by Phillip Watkins.

Obituary:

SOURCE: SL Trib 1973, Apr 12, p.D11

Obituary transcribed:
Franklin C. Lewis
CENTERVILLE- Franklin C. Lewis, 87, former Vernal resident, died April 11 of natural causes at the home of a daughter here.  Born July 22, 1885, Holladay, to Siney and Elizabeth Coleman Lewis.  Married Frances Paxman Sept. 18, 1924, Salt Lake LDS Temple.  She died Dec. 14, 1964.  Resided in Midway, Vernal and Centerville.  Attended Utah State Agricultural College in Logan.  Survivors: son, daughters, George R., Rangely, Colo.; Mrs. Dallas R. (Geneve) Workman, Centerville; Mrs. Frances M. Allison, Richmond, Va.; 10 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren, borther, Charles, sister, Mrs. Jennie Hullinger, both Vernal.  Funeral Saturday 10:30 a.m. Centerville 6th LDS Ward Chapel.  Friends call Lindquist Bountiful Mortuary Friday 7-9 p.m. and Saturday 9-10 a.m. Graveside services Saturday 4 p.m., Vernal Cemetery.
*Spelling corrected wherein I was aware.

Frank's final resting place
Photo from the personal albums of Bryce Merkley

Photo from the personal albums of Bryce Merkley

Because Frank died within the last 50 years, his death certificate will not become publicly available until around the year 2023.  When it's available I will post it here.

Annie Lewis & Joseph Carroll

Annie Elizabeth Lewis was one of Birda's older sisters.

Annie married Joseph Hyrum Carroll (of the Ashley Precinct, i.e. Vernal, UT?) on 25 Jan 1899 in the Ashley Precinct (i.e. Vernal, UT?).

Thus, she became Annie Elizabeth Lewis Carroll.

Photos from the personal albums of Kay Beers (via email)
Photoshopped together by me.

Newspaper notice:

SOURCE: Vernal Express 1899, Jan 27, p.4

Newspaper notice transcribed:

License to wed was issued Tuesday to Mr. J.H. Carroll, of Millward, aged 25, and Miss. A.E. Lewis, Fourth ward, aged 20.  The ceremony was performed Wednesday at the residence of the bride, Bp. Alplanalp officiating.

*Punctuation adjusted wherein I saw fit.

Marriage licence:

SOURCE: familysearch.org
Image number correction: #00271

Marriage license certificate:

Found in the personal albums of Howard Carroll

The following is an excerpt from the personal history of Annie's sister, Mary L Hatch, entitled, "My Life" written by Mary Hatch 25 Dec 1956 (found in the personal albums of Glen Hatch).  This excerpt was found on pages 11-12 of the document:

"... Annie was married to Joe Carroll in January, 1899.  Mother and Father had known the Carroll family before she came to Vernal.  She thought they were a fine family.  The Carrolls lived in what was then considered a nice home.  So Mother and Father were proud and happy that Annie was marrying into such a fine family.  Therefore, Mother felt it her duty to give her the nicest wedding she could.  Nonie, who was the leader and great help of Mother’s, was living [at] home.  The first thing, the buttery was cleaned and scrubbed from top to bottom for the food to be stored in.  Then the cooking began- food that we had never heard of before: donuts, cakes, pies, cookies, chicken, etc., etc.

The house was then scrubbed and cleaned and the guests, friends and neighbors, were invited.  A table set from one end of the room to the other, and it was filled with all that good food.  We children were given strict orders to stay in the kitchen, upstairs, or get lost, until this affair was over.  By climbing part way up the stairs, with the buttery door ajar, we could see into the room they were eating in.  As the plates of food were eaten, they were refilled from the buttery.  The donuts were what we particularly watched.  I had never tasted a donut.  I’m sure I was a better child than I am a grown-up, for I could have reached a donut and I doubt if it would ever have been missed, but we never ever thought of disobeying our parents.

In a day or so Annie had everything packed and in the wagon.  The cow that Father had given them (and which he gave every one of his daughters) was tied to the back of the wagon.  Mother watched from the window with tears in her eyes.  We wondered why she cried.  Annie was going just over to Maeser to live, but now I know.  She was going out of our home forever to make her a new home.  Things wouldn’t be quite the same..."

Their marriage lasted roughly 24 years but ultimately ended in divorce on 25 Dec 1923 (according to family records).  I will research to provide documentation on that divorce and include in this post when it is available.

Divorce notice:

SOURCE: Vernal Express 1923, Dec 14, p.16

Divorce notice transcribed:

But One Divorce Granted At Court

Annie E. Carroll was granted a divorce from Joseph H. Carroll and the custody of the minor children also all the real and personal property.  The case went by default.

A work of art

This is a great example of why exploring the resources of extended family members is ALWAYS a good idea.

This is a front & back scanned copy of an original work of art created by Asher when he was 10 years old and given to his father at Christmastime.  It appears Asher didn't find it worth holding onto, but his sister did... and boy am I grateful to his sister Helen!

From the personal albums of Sarah Neilsen

Mary Merkley & Isabrand Sander

Mary Elizabeth Merkley was Asher's younger sister. 

 She married Isabrand Sander Jr. (of Vernal, UT) on 6 Sept 1917 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Thus, she became Mary Elizabeth Merkley Sander.

Photos from the personal albums of David Ahrnsbrak and Sarah Neilsen
Photoshopped together by me.

Newspaper notice:

SOURCE: Vernal Express 1917, Sept 7, p.8

Newspaper notice transcribed:
An interest event of this week is the marriage of Miss Mary Merkley to Isabrand Sanders both of this city.  The happy couple made a very cleverly arranged get away about midnight Sunday.  Leaving Vernal in Mr. Sander's car, they journeyed on through the clear moonlight night towards Salt Lake City.  Wednesday they were married in the Salt Lake temple and after a short honeymoon in Utah points they will return to Vernal to live in their newly finished home on Academy avenue.  Miss Merkley is the talented daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Merkley of this city, while Mr. Sanders is the well known manager of the Golden Rule store.  Both are popular people in Vernal and have the best wishes of the community.
*Punctuation adjusted wherein I saw fit. Newspaper states his name as "Sanders" but it is actually without the last "S", "Sander".

Marriage License:

SOURCE: familysearch.org

Helen Merkley & Byron Owen Colton

Helen Merkley was Asher's older sister. 

Helen married Byron Owen Colton (of Vernal, UT) on 28 Jun 1910 in the Salt Lake Temple.

Thus, she became Helen Merkley Colton.

Photos from the personal albums of Sarah Neilsen
Photoshopped together by me.

An excerpt from the writing "My Life Story- Helen M. Colton" has this to say on the matter:

"... In the year 1909 I was in Salt Lake City going to Kiester Ladies Tailoring School.  I was really homesick being the first time I had been away from my home and parents.  

At the time I had several boy friends and could not make up my mind which one I should make my best friend.  So I kneeled by the window (as I was upstairs and alone in the house at the time) and said, 'Father in Heaven which of the boys shall I choose?'

A sweet voice said to me, 'Burnie Colton is the one for you' and as he was not one of the boys who had been taking me out it made me very thoughtful and changed my way of thinking so that I was not lonely and never have been as lonely since that time.

I know the Lord rules in the important things in our lives and I am very thankful for his care of me and my children.  It was very hard for me to make decisions and know which was the best for me.  The other force was so hard against me.  We were married June 29, 1910 in Salt Lake Temple."

Newspaper notice:

SOURCE: Vernal Express 1910, Jun 24, p.1

Newspaper notice transcribed:
Mr. B.O. Colton Jr., and Miss Helen Merkley left for Salt Lake today.  If there is any one thing in this world better than any other, we wish them that.
* Punctuation and spelling adjusted.

Marriage License:

SOURCE: familysearch.org

Photo from the personal albums of Sarah Neilsen