Doug and Rhea get together

Doug is the eldest son of Asher and Birda.

This video was put together rather hastily for a Christmas surprise this year.  I'd collected the photos and interview footage in previous months and years before, and I'd always MEANT to assemble something up this avenue, but never got around to it.  I'm glad I finally did.  :)

Doug & Rhea get together from Sare & Jamo on Vimeo.

Password hint:

What is the name of Doug & Rhea's baby of the family? 

(Caps sensitive)

Lottie Hodson & Joseph Harper

Lottie Blair Lewis Hodson was an older half-sister to Birda.

(Their father was Siney Lewis Sr, but they were born to different mothers.)

After Lottie's husband, Allan K. Hodson died in 1904, she remarried a man named Joseph P. Harper (of Salida, Caffee, Colorado) on 17 Oct 1906 in Salt Lake City, UT.

Thus, she became Lottie Blair Lewis Hodson Harper.... or just Lottie Harper.

No photo exists of Joseph P. Harper to my knowledge

Marriage License Application:

SOURCE: familysearch.org
Film# 0429065

Marriage License:

SOURCE: familysearch.org
Film #049298

 Newspaper notice:

SOURCE: Vernal Express 1906, Oct 27, p.3

My initial impressions of Joseph P. Harper are not favorable, as 11 months later when Lottie died due to complications in childbirth, Joseph expressed no interest in caring for his new baby or the 5 year-old son from Lottie's previous marriage, and essentially skipped town.  I can find no further trace on Joseph Harper, and honestly don't care to.  This is about as far into the story as he ties.

Lottie's probate record, p.33:

SOURCE: Lottie Hodson Harper probate
8th Dist Court, Uintah Co,
Probate Case Files, Case 137-138,
UT State Archives, Series 14198
Researched Aug 2013
Text highlighted by me

Lottie's probate record transcribed (highlighted portion only):

"... That the husband of said deceased, Joseph Harper, who is entitled to letters of administration, refuses to take them and has said he will not bother with it and turned the whole matter over to your petitioner with the request that he see to it, and that the said Joseph Harper has left this County...."

Lottie Lewis & Allen Hodson

Lottie Lewis was one of Birda's half-sisters.

She married Allen K Hodson* (of Ashley Precinct, UT) on 28 Dec 1898 in Ashley(Vernal?), UT

Thus, she became Lottie Lewis Hodson.

*The name is also commonly found spelled as "Hodgson".

Allen Hodson and Lottie Lewis
Photoshopped together by me
Found in the personal albums of Dallas Workman

 Marriage License:

SOURCE: familysearch.org
Film # 0481100

 Newspaper notice:

SOURCE: Vernal Express 1899, Jan 5, p.1

Newspaper notice transcribed:
"One of Millward's young lords carried off one of our young ladies starting last Wednesday on the voyage of life.  The benedict is Heber Carrol and the blushing bride, Miss Lottie Lewis.  We wish them a pleasant journey."

Newspaper correction: 

SOURCE: Vernal Express 1899, Jan 12, p.2

Newspaper correction transcribed:

"Ever since the Express came from press last week Heber Carroll has been endeavoring to coax his wife home, but as Al Hodson had the license and not Carroll, as reported by our Fourth ward correspondent, Heber found his task a hopeless one and concluded to console himself by spending the winter in the Uintah Stake Academy."

1900 Census:

SOURCE: familysearch.org

I include the 1900 census here as it gives interesting clues just a year or two after their marriage.  If the census was taken door-to-door, this implies that on one side of their newlywed nest was Lottie's married half-sister, Annie Carroll, and on the other side was the rest of the Carroll clan, namely Edmund and Ester Carroll- WHO ALSO happened to be the witnesses present who signed on Lottie and Allen's marriage license... interesting little tidbit, yes?

Allen unfortunately died just a few years later in 1904, so it's a miracle to have the little bits of information we do about their nuptials and where they lived during this early timeframe.

Georgia L McClelland & Francis J Fuller

Georgia Lewis McClelland was Birda's older sister.

After divorcing her husband, H Linn McClelland, between 1935-1940,

She remarried Francis Joseph Fuller on 7 Jan 1949 in San Francisco, California.

Thus, she became Georgia Lewis McClelland Fuller... at least for a time...

No photos of Georgia and Francis can be procured at this time.

:(

California Marriage Index, 1949-1959:

SOURCE: ancestry.com
Further source info is located in lower highlighted box on image

This union is still a mystery to me as family records and civil records indicate that it did indeed occur, but on Georgia's obituary she is listed as "Georgia McClelland" and on Francis' obituary Georgia is not mentioned, even as a surviving spouse.  It leads me to assume that between 1949 and 1957 (when Francis died) that their marriage ended, and she reverted back to her initially married name.

Dates and reasons are foggy on both divorces for Georgia, and without clarity from surviving descendants it's been difficult to assemble this picture together.  Further investigation into California Marriage/Divorce Records should help clear things up, but until finances or public records become available to sort this out, it will remain a mystery...

Frank Lewis & Marie Hardy

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

He married Flossie Marie Hardy (of Vernal, UT) on 1 Jan 1914- at 28 years old he was nearly 10 years her senior.

Thus she became Flossie Marie Hardy Lewis.

Marie and Frank
Cropped and photoshopped together by me
Marie's image: from the personal albums of Jalair Hoff
Frank's image: from the personal albums of Patty Stewart

Marriage license notice:

SOURCE: Vernal Express 1914, Jan 2, p.2

Marriage License:

SOURCE: familysearch.org

Photo of their wedding party, with labels below
From the personal albums of Jalair Hoff

Unfortunately, their marriage ended in divorce just a few years later.

The following is an excerpt from the personal history of Flossie Marie Hardy, found in the personal albums of Jalair Hoff, regarding their marriage and divorce:

"... She married Frank Lewis 1 Jan 1914 when she was only 18 years of age, and they lived in a little house quite close to his mother.  She was a dear old soul, and Marie loved her very much.  They were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple 3 Jun 1915.  Frank and Marie lived together two and a half years before their daughter, Frances, was born 18 May 1916.  Marie was 21 at the time.

When Frances was still quite young (3 or 4), Marie left Frank Lewis.  She said, "I left him because he was abusive with Frances.  He couldn't seem to understand that she was a small girl, and he went out with another woman when I was playing the piano at the movie shows."  When Marie left Frank, she went to her sister, Ruby's house, and stayed with her for a long time.  When the flu epidemic hit in 1918 she went from house to house nursing sick people.  Her mother took care of Frances during that year.  Frank and Marie were divorced 21 Jun 1919..."

Court subpoena:

Found in the personal albums of Dallas Workman

I waded through about 10 pages of court documents regarding their divorce, and it appears Marie accused Frank neglect, cruelty, and essentially kicking her out of the house saying he "would have kicked her out long ago if it wasn't for the baby".  Frank was given visitation rights with their daughter, Frances, and was ordered to pay child support to some degree.  BUT, descending versions of this story from both sides of the fence also indicate that Frank was fairly religious and Marie willingly played the piano in movie houses/bars/night clubs/etc and wasn't as keen to follow his pious example.  This factor may explain a lot of their early marital strife and separation.  Regardless, Frank went on to marry Frances Paxman in 1924, and Marie went on to marry Ed Taft in 1922 (later divorced), and Sam Porter in 1934.

"Frank Lewis and daughter Frances"
Additional labels below
From the personal albums of Jalair Hoff

Georgia Lewis & Linn McClelland

Georgia Lewis was one of Birda's older sisters.

She married Linn McClelland (of Vernal, Utah) on 9 April 1912 in Vernal, Uintah, Utah.

Thus, she became Georgia Lewis McClelland.

Georgia and Linn*
From the personal albums of Bryce Merkley

Marriage License Notice:

SOURCE: Vernal Express 1912, Apr 12, p.6

Marriage License notice transcribed:

"Licensed to Wed... Linn McClelland and Georgia Lewis both of Vernal."

Marriage License:

SOURCE: familysearch.org

Wedding announcement:

SOURCE: Vernal Express 1912, Apr 12, p.1

Wedding announcement transcribed:

McClelland Lewis Nuptials

Mr. Linn McClelland and Miss Georgia Lewis have entered the ranks of the married folks.  They were united in marriage Tuesday afternoon by Bishop Hyrum B. Calder.  Miss Lewis is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Siney Lewis of Glines ward.


*Georgia had a second marriage to a Francis J. Fuller in 1949.  The photos came from a family group sheet, and as the husband pictured was not labeled and I've found NO other photos of Linn McClelland, it is assumed that the above photo is of him.

Annie L. Springer & John Weist

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

She married John William Weist (of Vernal, Utah) on 20 Dec 1943 in Salt Lake City, Utah.  It was John's second marriage and Annie's third marriage.

Thus, she became Annie E. Lewis Carroll Springer Weist... or simply, Annie Weist.

From the personal albums of Patty Stewart

Marriage License:

SOURCE: SL County Clerk's Office,
Marriage & Passport Division, July 2012

Frank Lewis & Frances Paxman

Franklin Lewis was one of Birda's older brothers.

He married Frances Elizabeth Paxman (of Salt Lake City, Utah) on 18 Sept 1924 in the Salt Lake Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah.  

Thus she became Frances Elizabeth Paxman Lewis.

This was a second marriage for Frank, his first marriage being to Flossie Marie Hardy, which ended in divorce in 1919.

Frank and Frances Lewis (Cropped from a larger image)
From the personal albums of Tamera Lund

 Marriage license:

SOURCE: familysearch.org

Marriage Certificate:

Found in the personal albums of Dallas Workman

 Newspaper notice:

SOURCE: Vernal Express 1944, Oct 26, p.9-1
(Note it is an article reviewing events from 20 years prior,
making the year in question 1924)

Newspaper notice transcribed:
"... Mr. and Mrs. Frank Lewis returned from Salt Lake where they were married on September 18.  Mrs. Lewis was formerly Miss Francis Paxman of Salt Lake and was one of the stenographers for President Heber J. Grant of the LDS Church.  Mr. and Mrs. Lewis will reside in Vernal...."
*Punctuation added wherein I saw fit.

Leonora L Watkins & Edward W Evans

Leonora Lewis Watkins was Birda's eldest sister.

She married Edward William Evans (of Vernal, UT) on 24 Feb 1904 in Salt Lake City, UT.

Thus, she became Leonora Lewis Watkins Evans.

This was a second marriage for both of them, with death unfortunately claiming Nonie's husband (Alfred Watkins) in 1896 and Will's wife (Louise Burton Evans) in 1902.

Nonie and Will Evans
From personal albums of Bryce Merkley
Cropped and photoshopped together by me.

Marriage licence:

SOURCE: familysearch.org

 No additional news sources of their marriage could be found as the 1904 edition of the "Vernal Express" is missing.  If anything ever materializes, I will post it here.

Click HERE for a link to a story preceding their marriage found in the Vernal Express 6 months before in 1903.

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

Burnie & Helen Colton- 50 years

Helen Merkley Colton was one of Asher's sisters.

She married Byron Owen Colton and they were married for over 50 years.

These are the notices of their 50 year mark in marriage:

"Burnie & Helen Colton"
From personal albums of Sarah Nielsen

Newspaper clipping:

NO SOURCE- found in the personal albums of Sarah Nielsen
Last bit of this clipping is missing, but the text is nearly verbatim in newspaper notice below.
As the article titles are different I'm assuming they are from different papers,
but likely both local to where they resided at the time.

 Newspaper notice:

SOURCE: Vernal Express 1960, Jun 23, p.4

Newspaper notice transcribed:

Mr. and Mrs. Byron O. Colton Celebrate 50th Wedding Year

Mr. and Mrs. Byron O. Colton of Roosevelt, formerly of Vernal, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary June 29.

Mr. Colton was born February 15, 1882, at Provo, UT, son of Byron Oliver Colton and Sarah Maria Smith.  The family moved to Ashley Valley in August, 1884 and made their home near what is now Vernal.

Helen Merkley Colton was born in Vernal, April 8, 1890, to Nelson Merkley Jr. and Keturah Peterson, who were some of the original pioneers of Ashley Valley.  She attended public school at Vernal and graduated from the Uintah Stake Academy.  She also attended the Keister Ladies Tailoring School at Salt Lake City.

Mr. Colton received his schooling at the Maeser Elementary School, Uintah Stake Academy and the Brigham Young University, where in his senior year he served as chairman of the "Campus Committee" that secured 25 acres on Temple Hill, the first unit of the present upper campus.

The couple was married in the Salt Lake Temple of the LDS Church, June 29, 1910.  Their first home was in Maeser.  They later moved to the reservation, where Mr. Colton was active in settlement work and irrigation development.  He has been employed through the years by several of the larger irrigation companies as engineer in location and construction of canals and reservoirs located in the central and eastern part of the reservation area.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Colton have served many years in positions of responsibility in LDS Ward and Stake.  He was Bishop of Maeser Ward, Bishop of Randlett Ward and President of the Roosevelt Stake.  He is now acting Stake Patriarch for the Roosevelt Stake and an active Ward Teacher.

Among other achievements is also a long list of public service.  A few follow sixteen years in Uintah school district in elected service, a member of the Utah Water Storage Commission, 1929-1931, and dat present, a member of the Utah Water and Power board, having been appointed by Governor Herbert B Maw in 1947.  He has also served as Water Commissioner for the United States Uintah Indian Irrigation Project and Associated Water Users of the Uintah and Lakefork Rivers since 1931, and including the Duchesne and Strawberry Rivers since 1934.

To these parents have been born 9 children, seven of whom are living.  They are Mrs. Harold (Lulu) Dudley of Randlett, Merrill B. Colton of Sandy, Mrs. Glen (Margaret) Wyler of Fairfield, California, Elmo S. Colton of Holladay, Miles M. Colton of Pleasant Grove, Mrs. Calvin (Sarah) Neilsen of Mona, and Mrs. Vern (Grace) Berrett of Provo.

The couple desires to greet all friends and relatives at an open house at their home in Roosevelt on June 29 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. It is requested the presents be eliminated.

*Spelling and punctuation corrected by me wherein I was aware.

"Burnie and Helen"
Photo from the personal albums of Sarah Nielsen

Annie L Carroll & Nathan Springer

Annie Elizabeth Lewis Carroll was Birda's older sister.

She was married to Joseph Hyrum Carroll in 1899, but they later divorced in 1923.

Annie then married Nathan Chatman Springer (of Midway, UT) in Salt Lake City, UT on 18 Mar 1925.

Thus, she became Annie Elizabeth Lewis Carroll Springer.

Nate C Springer and Annie E Lewis Carroll
Photoshopped together by me
Nate photo from Kaylene Harding via email
Annie photo from the personal albums of Howard Carroll

Newspaper notice:

SOURCE: Vernal Express 1925, Mar 20, p.3

Newspaper notice transcribed:
Mrs. Annie Carroll left Sunday morning for Salt Lake City where she was married to Nathan Springer of Midway in the Salt Lake temple Wednesday, March 18.  Mr. Springer and Mrs. Carroll were childhood chums and we wish them a long and happy married life.
*Spelling corrected wherein I was aware.

Marriage License notice:

SOURCE: Vernal Express 1925, Mar 27, p.8

Marriage License notice transcribed:
Marriage License.
On March 17, the county clerk of Utah county, Provo, issued a marriage license to Nathan C. Springer of Midway and Mrs. Annie E. Carroll of Vernal.

 Marriage License application:

SOURCE: familysearch.org

Honeymoon notice:

SOURCE: Vernal Express 1925, Apr 10, p.4-2

Honeymoon notice transcribed:

Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Springer returned home Sunday evening after spending their honeymoon in Wasatch county.

Jennie Lewis & Harold Hullinger

Jennie Lewis was Birda's younger sister.

She married Harold Everett Hullinger (of Vernal, UT) on 6 June 1924 in the Salt Lake Temple in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Thus, she became Jennie Lewis Hullinger.

Photo from the personal family history blog of Charmain Runyon
concerning Harold and Jennie Hullinger, obtained Feb 2013
Photo cropped from original image by me

Bridal shower notice:

SOURCE: Vernal Express 1924, Jun 6, p.8

Bridal shower notice transcribed:

MISS JENNIE LEWIS HONORED AT SHOWER

Miss Hazel Williams and Miss Elda Bingham entertained a number of guests at the W.A. Bingham home in honor of Miss Jennie Lewis on Monday evening.  Miss Lewis was the recipient of a large number of gifts.  Miss Lewis will be married this week to Harold Hullinger in the Salt Lake temple.

*Spelling corrected wherein I was aware.

Marriage notice:

SOURCE: Vernal Express 1924, Jun 6, p.8

Marriage notice transcribed:
WILL WED IN TEMPLE
Tuesday, June 3, Harold Everett Hullinger, son of Mr. and Mrs. W.S. Hullinger, and Miss Jennie Lewis, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Siney Lewis, Sr., received a marriage license and left Wednesday for Salt Lake City where they will be wedded in the Salt Lake temple.
*Spelling corrected wherein I was aware.

Wedding license application:

SOURCE: familysearch.org

Marriage license:

SOURCE: familysearch.org

Minnie Lewis & William Pearce

Minnie C. Lewis was one of Birda's older sisters.

She married William E. Pearce (of Ashley Precinct, Uintah, UT) on 4 May 1899 in Vernal, Utah.

Thus, she became Minnie C. Lewis Pearce.

Photos from the personal albums of Bryce Merkley and LaReta Brinkerhoff
Photos were cropped and photoshopped together by me.

Marriage notice:

SOURCE: Vernal Express 1899, May 4, p.1

Marriage notice transcribed:
A marriage licence was issued yesterday to William Pearce, aged 24 and Minnie Lewis aged 18.

Marriage license & certificate: 

SOURCE: familysearch.org

Siney Lewis Jr & Lena Hoeft

Siney Lewis Jr. was one of Birda's older brothers.

He married Helena Hoeft (of South Ashley, Uintah, UT) on 24 Dec 1903 (Christmas Eve, aww...) in Uintah County, UT.

Thus, she became Helena Hoeft Lewis.

Copy of this photo found in the personal albums of Bryce Merkley

Marriage license notice:

SOURCE: Vernal Express 1903, Dec 26, p.3

Marriage license notice transcribed:
Marriage licenses were issued during the week to the following couples: Siney Lewis and Lena Hoeft...
*Remainder of notice not transcribed.

Marriage License:

Found in a copy of a compiled history of Siney and Lena by descendant, Carol Harless
Microfilm source has yet to be identified

 Marriage Certificate:

Found in a copy of a compiled history of Siney and Lena by descendant, Carol Harless
Microfilm source has yet to be identified