Jennie L Hullinger- Mother of the Year

Jennie L Hullinger was Birda's younger sister.

Jennie Lewis Hullinger
From the personal albums of Charmain Runyon
Cropped from a larger image

The following article details how Jennie won the distinction of "Uintah Basin Mother of the Year" in 1972.  It gives a brief overview of her life and details the events of her receiving her award.

Newspaper article:

SOURCE: Vernal Express 1972, Apr 20, p.1

As it's rather lengthy I won't transcribe it at this time, but by clicking on the newspaper image or downloading it, it is still easy enough to read.

Jennie holding daughter
From the personal albums of Charmain Runyon

Siney Lewis Sr in photos

Siney Lewis Sr was Birda's father.

The following are a handful of photos of him in various situations.

Siney Sr on a mule- April 1915
From personal albums of Patty Stewart

Siney Lewis Sr- Glines Area of Vernal, UT
From personal albums of David Ahrnsbrak
(Additional copy of this photo from albums of Patty Stewart
indicates the written date: April 1915)

Siney Sr at homestead
From the personal albums of David Ahrnsbrak
(Additional copy of this photo from albums of Patty Stewart
indicates the written date: May 27, 1915)

Siney Lewis Sr
From the personal albums of Ellen Fletcher

Byron O Colton, newspaper bio

Byron O Colton was Asher's brother-in-law.

He married Asher's sister, Helen.

"Burnie" Colton
From personal albums of Sarah Neilsen

The following is a newspaper biography covering the general basis of his life up until it was written in 1935.  Due to the length of it I won't transcribe it at this time, but it is fairly easy to make the words out by clicking and enlarging the image itself.

Newspaper article:

SOURCE: Roosevelt Standard, 1935, Aug 29, p.1

Young Birda in photos

The following are a handful of photos of Birda Lewis Merkley when she was still pretty young.

Photos are all from the personal albums of David Ahrnsbrak.

Birda Lewis

Birda and brother-in-law, Harold Hullinger

Birda Lewis Merkley, 1921-22