More Erza Merkley photos

Ezra Merkley was Asher's older brother that died in his twenties.

The following are a handful of photos of him in various life situations, and are from the personal albums of Sarah Nielsen unless stated otherwise.

Possibly Ezra Merkley as a toddler
From the personal albums of Delores Horton
(I'd bet someone $20 and a bag of peanut M&Ms
that it IS indeed little Ezra in this shot...
look at his eyes.... totally him.) 

Ezra in much snow, 20 Jan 1916
(He is in front of the Merkley homestead in Vernal, UT)

Ezra Merkley and unknown buddy

Ezra Merkley

Ezra Merkley portrait

"BACK John Hislop, Hazel Johnson, William Hansen
MID Archie Allen, Mabel Hansen, Ezra Merkley
FRONT Emma Allen, Amber Timothy"
Assumed friends in Vernal, UT

Leonora Lewis & Alfred Watkins

Leonora Lewis (or Nonie) was one of Birda's older sisters.

She married Alfred Watkins (of Uintah County) on 25 Nov 1895 in Uintah County, Utah.

Thus, she became Leonora Lewis Watkins.

Unfortunately, no photos of Alfred Watkins have emerged, but I do have one of Lenora at a younger age as follows:

"Leonora"
From the personal albums of Phil Foster

Marriage license:

SOURCE: familysearch.org

 Newspaper notice:

SOURCE: Vernal Express 1895, Nov 27, p.3

Newspaper notice transcribed:

"A marriage license was granted this week to Alfred Watkins and Lenora Lewis of Ashley precinct.  They were married Monday."

Although the records state Alfred was from Uintah County, his family lived in Midway, UT.  In fact, the Lewis family had lived in Midway before moving to Uintah County, so it's likely that's where the two met as young lovebirds.  It was to Midway, UT that Alfred and Lenora moved once married, as indicated an exerpt from the personal history of Lenora's sister, Mary Lewis Hatch entitled, "My Life", written by Mary Hatch, 25 Dec 1956. (Found in the personal albums of Glen Hatch).  This excerpt was found on page 6 of the document:

"...The fall we moved to Vernal, Nonie had left her beau, Alfred Watkins, in Midway.  They wrote letters and, all at once, Mother and Nonie became very confidential.  They whispered and made us children leave the room.  One day Mother said she was going to tell me a secret.  I must tell no one.  Nonie was getting married that evening.  I believe I would have died rather than broken that trust.  I thought school would never let out that day.  That evening the house was filled with friends and neighbors to witness the marriage.  Bishop Alplanap married them- November 25, 1895.  The first member of the family to leave us- Mother’s standby.  It was late in the fall so Alf fixed up a wagon with even a little stove in it and they left to make their home in Midway..."

Unfortunately, Alfred died a year into their marriage during a winter hunting trip.  The above mentioned document had this excerpt just a few paragraphs later:

"...After my sister Nonie had been gone from us for about a year, her husband died suddenly and Nonie stayed that winter with his people.  The next spring Father went after her and her baby with his team and wagon.  We just couldn’t wait to see that baby.  We never took our eyes off from the road.  At last the covered wagon was in sight and we ran like crazy children to meet it.  Hazel was a beautiful baby, with large brown eyes, almost red hair, and her mother kept her like a doll.  We were so proud of her and wanted to take her with us everywhere..."

(I've posted this before with the info on Alfred Watkins death, but HECK, why not post it again while we're talking about it?)

"Hazel and Lenora Watkins"
From personal albums of Phil Foster

Death info on Charles Hatch

Charles A. Hatch was Birda's brother-in-law.  

He married Birda's older sister, Mary.

Charles Hatch
From personal albums of Glen Hatch

According to these documents the following dates apply:

BIRTH: 9 Dec 1887- Vernal, Uintah, Utah

DEATH: 27 June 1959- Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah

He was 71 years old when he died.

Obituary:

SOURCE: SL Tribune 1959, Jun 28, p.C17

Obituary transcribed:

Charles A. Hatch

VERNAL- Charles A. Hatch, 70, Vernal, died Saturday, 1:15 p.m., in a Salt Lake hospital of complications following surgery.  Born Dec 19, 1888, Vernal, to Alva Alexander and Mary Elizabeth Nelson Hatch.  Married Mary Lewis, Oct. 4, 1911, Salt Lake Temple, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Former Uintah County Assessor, Vernal businessman.  Active in LDS Church, civic activities.  Survivors: widow, son, daughter.  Glen L. Idaho Falls, Idaho; Mrs. Elizabeth Lybbert, Salt Lake City; six grandchildren, four brothers.

*Death age is off by one year.

Local Obituary:

SOURCE: Vernal Express 1959, July 2, p.1
Also found in personal albums of Glen Hatch

Local Obituary transcribed:
Tuesday Services Offer Tributes To Charles Hatch
Final tributes were paid Charles A. Hatch, 71, retired businessman and former Uintah County assessor, at funeral services held Tuesday at 1 p.m. at Vernal Third Ward chapel.  Mr. Hatch died Saturday at 1:15 p.m. in a Salt Lake hospital of complications following surgery and a long illness.
Prayer at the mortuary was by Harold Hullinger.  At the chapel the opening song was "In the Garden," sung by May Jorgensen, accompanied by Mrs. Mary Schaefermeyer.  Harmon S. Sowards offered the invocation.  A duet, "A Perfect Day," was sung by Mrs. Virginia Hacking and Glade Sowards accompanied by Mrs. Schaefermeyer.
First speaker was H. Walter Woolley.  "Beyond the Sunset," was sung by a trio composed of Alice Woolley, Roberta Ufford, and Pat Stewart.  Janet Wallis was narrator.  Driver E. Smith was the second speaker.  The closing song, "Going Home" was sung by the ladies trio.  Benediction was given by Alvin E. Weeks.
Pallbearers were DeVere Carroll, Leo Hacking, Bert Hatch, Charles Lewis, Claude Hatch and Blaine Lee.  Burial was in Vernal Memorial Park Cemetery.  Asher Merkley dedicated the grave.
Mr. Hatch was born December 9, 1888, in Vernal, a son of Elizabeth Nelson Hatch.  On October 4, 1911 he married Mary Lewis in the Salt Lake Temple.
He had served in many public offices during his lifetime.  From 1921-24 he was clerk of Uintah County.  He was Uintah County assessor from 1950 until his retirement in January 1959.  In addition he served several terms on the Vernal City Council.  He was also a member of the local Selective Service Board and in 1946 served as chairman of the Uintah Boy Scout District.  Mr. Hatch was a charter member of the Vernal Lions club.
Active in the LDS Church, he served for many years in the Sunday school superintendency, as a counselor on the high priest's council, and as a ward president of the Mutual Improvement Association for 14 years.  In 1909-10 he fulfilled an LDS mission to the Central states.  At the time of his death he was a member of Vernal Third Ward.
Mr. Hatch was the owner and operator of the Farmer's Market in Vernal until 1949 when he retired from business.
He had attended Brigham Young University.
Survivors include his widow, a son, Glen L. Hatch, Idaho Falls, Idaho; a daughter, Mrs. Elizabeth Lybbert, Salt Lake City; six grandchildren and four brothers.
Among those attending the services from out-of-town were Mr. and Mrs. Harold Kelly, Murray; Mrs. John Flynn and son Gordon, Mrs. Clydia Murdock, Mr. and Mrs. Dick Hullinger, Paul Hullinger, Mr. and Mrs. Hugo Hullinger, Salt Lake City; Mrs. Elizabeth Jasperson, Mrs. Ann Fisher, Hber, Utah; Will Pierce, Pleasant Grove; Mrs. Venice West and son Dallas, Paramount, California; Mr. and Mrs. Bill Pierce, Jr., Brigham City; Mr. and Mrs. Vernal Pierce, Bell, California; and Mrs. Georgia McClelland, Oakland, California.

Death Certificate:

SOURCE: Utah State Archives

His birth year in both obituaries state 1888, but the death certificate indicates 1887.  Other family group sheets written by his family also concur with the 1887 year, so I went with that.

.

Older Charles Hatch
From personal albums of Glen Hatch

Death info on William Pearce

William Pearce was Birda's brother-in-law.  

He married Birda's older sister, Minnie.

William Pearce as a young man
Photo from the personal albums of LaReta Brinkerhoff

According to these documents the following dates apply:

BIRTH: 1 July 1874- Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, UT*

DEATH: 15 May 1962- Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA

He was approximately 87 years old when he died.
* A marriage license to William's 2nd wife indicates his birthplace- follow LINK.

Newspaper notice:

SOURCE: Vernal Express 1962, May 24, p.8

Newspaper notice transcribed:
WM. PEARCE FUNERAL HELD
Vernal residents attending the funeral services of William E. Pearce, Sr., held Saturday in Pleasant Grove were Samuel B. Woolley, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Lewis Mr. and Mrs. Frank Lewis, Mrs. Mary Hatch and Mrs. Jennie Hullinger.  Mr. Pearce died at the home of his son, William Pearce, Jr., Tuesday, May 15 in Los Angeles, California.

California Death Index- extracted information from familysearch.org

William Pearce
From the personal albums of LaReta Brinkerhoff
Cropped from a larger image.

Because he died in California, I cannot yet obtain his death certificate.  But this LINK will take you to some more informative findagrave information about him.  If I can obtain a copy of the death certificate  I will post it here.

Asher and Birda as babes

The following are photos of Asher and Birda as little tiny kids.

(Aww, cute....)

From the personal albums of Bryce Merkley.

Little Asher Merkley

"Birda Lewis about 1900"

Lewis family in early group photos

The following are early photos of the Lewis family from the 1910-1920 range.

"1913-1914.  Unknown daughter, Hazel Watkins, Nonie, Lena with baby, Will Evans, unknown, Siney Jr, remaining children sitting unknown"
I would like to contest the identification of the first three listed- I believe Hazel (Nonie's daughter) is the first one on the left, standing next to her mother Nonie, with the 3rd lady being the unknown person
From the personal albums of Dallas Workman

"Christmas at Siney's & Lena's- 1916"
I LOVE this photo.  It's obviously the adult table as you can see a handful of kids pushed out onto the sidelines.
The left side of the Lewis family table is a bit harder to identify (perhaps Annie in that most forefront chair?) and standing in the back with the camera is Siney Jr, Jennie holding a baby, unknown, Elizabeth (mother), Siney Sr, brother-in-law (maybe William Pearce?), older Lewis sister (likely Minnie) with baby, Crystal Lewis.
From the personal albums of Patty Stewart

"August 1919"
Don't recognize any of the kids, but the adults in the back (L-R) are:
Mary Hatch, ?, older Lewis sister, ?, Birda, (then a group of kids and the column), Charlie Hatch (Crystal seated just below him), Siney Jr, unknown with baby, Jennie, Frank.
Siney Sr is directly in front of the column, with likely Elizabeth next to him (maybe Annie?), likely Minnie, unknown gentleman.
From personal albums of Patty Stewart

Byron Colton turns 80, 90

Byron Colton married Asher's sister, Helen.

The following are articles on milestones he attained through age.

As surviving offspring may still be alive I won't transcribe these, though they can easily be read by clicking on them.

SOURCE: Vernal Express 1962, Feb 22, p.4

SOURCE: Vernal Express 1972, Feb 17, p.14

B.O. Colton
Photo from the personal albums of Sarah Nielsen

Lewis Family Reunions

Excerpt from the written document, "Glen's History", p.26-27 (Possession of Glen Hatch, youngest son of Mary Lewis Hatch):

"...Let me tell you about the Lewis Family reunions. From the time I was about seven or eight years old until I went away to the University, a reunion was held almost every summer.  These were exciting events in my life.  The extended Lewis family was composed of two groups: the Good Mormons, i.e. those who attended church on a regular basis and the Jack Mormons, i.e. those who attended church as seldom as possible.  The family was about equally divided into these two groups.

Planning of the reunion started in January of each year.  Every time some of the family would get together, a great debate would ensue as to whether the reunions should be held on Friday and Saturday vs. Saturday and Sunday.  The Jack Mormons held out for Saturday and Sunday.  The Good Mormons insisted on Friday and Saturday.  This debate provided four or five months of lively entertainment.  I loved it!  What was really hilarious was that the problem was always solved in the same way.  The Good Mormons left on Saturday evening so they could go to church on Sunday.  The Jack Mormons left of Sunday evening so they wouldn't have to go to Church.

When the reunion week-end arrived, the Good Mormons generally arrived at the reunion site on Friday since their time for the reunion was Friday and Saturday.  When the Jack Mormons arrived on Saturday, they would go a very short distance away from the cooking fire that was already burning and start their own fire.  They had a huge coffee pot and would immediately start to brew their coffee.  When it was done, they would sip the coffee, all the while saying, "umm, umm, umm, isn't this coffee delicious!"  They said this just loud enough to be heard by everyone.  The good Mormons wanted to kill them.  I loved it!

Each year a different master of ceremonies was selected.  Charlie Lewis was chosen for this position one year.  He started the meeting by telling a dirty joke.  All the Jack Mormons slapped their legs and hee-hawed and rolled on the ground in great humor.  The good Mormons scowled and didn't crack a smile.  I was sitting on a log next to my mother.  I looked over at her and if looks could kill, Charlie would have been dead at that moment.  She had the meanest look on her face I had ever seen.  I wanted to laugh, but I didn't dare.

In between these shenanigans, everyone had a great time eating and telling yarns and talking about ancestors and playing games.  When the reunion was over, they all left with good feelings for one another and anxious for next January to arrive so they could start the process all over again..."

Song lyrics to a reunion sing-a-long:

Lyrics found in the personal albums of Patty Stewart

"June 28/1958"
From the personal albums of Patty Stewart

"Charles, Frances, Crystal, Frank, Annie"
From personal albums of Dallas Workman

"Lewis family at Annie's house"
The only ones I recognize here are Birda (5th head on left), Jennie Hullinger (9th from left), Georgia (just to the right of Jennie) and Harold Hullinger (2nd from right).
From the personal albums of Patty Stewart

Lewis get-together
From the personal albums of Patty Stewart

Young Siney Lewis Sr

Siney Lewis Sr was Birda's father.

The following is a photograph of him as a young man.

I am thrilled to know that this photo exists of him, although it took some sleuthing to find it by accident.  Here's to the power of talking to living descendants!

From the personal albums of Dallas Workman

I have never come across even a copy of this photo in all my searching through other people's shoeboxes full of pictures.

The bottom of the portrait photo bears the initials, "S.L." and the back of the photograph is transcribed as: "Siney Lewis, Was Bornd August the 1, 1848.  When this was taken I was 27 years Sevn months, 11 Days old." (But honestly, I can't tell if the days state "11" or "99".  "11" was my best guess...)

So, assuming the inscription is penned by Siney himself, we not only get a sampling of his handwriting, but an approximate date of when the photo was taken.  My math indicates the pose around March or June 1875.

Mary Merkley's schooling

Mary E. Merkley Sander was Asher's sister.

Mary received higher education, which the local newspapers couldn't help but mention.  I'm not sure what her scholastic emphasis was in, but considering her reputation, I would not be surprised if it was something in the Literature, Rhetoric, Dramatic Arts arena.

 Newspaper notice:

SOURCE: Vernal Express 1912, Sept 27, p2

Newspaper notice transcribed:

"One of the Salt Lake-going parties this week consists of Mrs. John N. Davis, A.W. Burke, Miss Mary Merkley, Miss Margaret Crook.  Miss Merkley will enter the B.Y.U."

"Mary Merkley- taken 4 Jun 1913 when Ezra (brother) was coming back from CA to Vernal"
From personal albums of Sarah Nielsen

Newspaper notice:

SOURCE: Vernal Express 1913, Oct 24, p.4

Newspaper notice transcribed:

N. MERKLEY RETURNS

Mr. Nelson Merkley and family have returned from Salt Lake, Provo, Springville, Lehi, American Fork and other Utah points.  At Provo Miss Mary entered the B.Y. University.

At Lehi Mrs. Merkley visited her grandmother, Mrs. M. M. Geddy, who is 80 odd years old.  Mrs. Eddy is well known in Vernal.

"Mary E Merkley stumping for J Edward Johnson in front of Education Building at BYU in 1913 or 1914- Johnson won Student Body President against Henry Savage"
From the personal albums of Jane Haugsoen

Newspaper notice:

SOURCE: Vernal Express 1914, July 24, p.1

Newspaper notice transcribed:
Miss Mary Merkley has returned from Salt Lake, where she attended summer school.  Miss Merkley expects to teach in Idaho the coming winter.

Newspaper notice:

SOURCE: Vernal Express 1914, Oct 2, p.5

Newspaper notice transcribed:
Miss Mary Merkley left during the week for Idaho, where she will teach school this winter.

"The Many faces of Miss Mary Merkley"
From the personal albums of Jane Haugsoen

Newspaper notice:

SOURCE: Vernal Express 1915, June 4, p.5

Newspaper notice transcribed:
Miss Mary Merkley, Mrs. Kate Calder and Mentzer Calder expect to leave in the near future for Berkley, California where they will attend summer school.

"Mary Merkley Sander"
From personal albums of Sarah Nielsen

Newspaper clip:

SOURCE: Vernal Express 1917, Mary 18, p4

Newspaper clip transcribed:

"...The work in elocution also is a monument to the ability and training of Miss Mary Merkley.  She is one of the best trained teachers of elocution in the state and the work of her students speaks for itself..."