More Diamond Mountain photos

The following are additional photos of the Diamond Mountain homestead I have not yet posted.

1926- Diamond Mountain Homestead
Isabrand Sander, Margret M Hanson, Asher, Mary M Sander, Birda holding son,
FRONT Virginia Merkley looking at her mother
From the personal albums of David Ahrnsbrak

Asher and Ray/Roy Merkley, 1929
Diamond Mountain and dog, Six
From the personal albums of David Ahrnsbrak

1931- Buffie Hatch and Virginia Merkley on Calico
up at Diamond Mountain.
From the personal albums of Tamera Lund

"Asher on the way with sheep to Diamond Mountain,
May 22, 1936"
From the personal albums of David Ahrnsbrak

Asher with nieces and nephews at Diamond Mountain
(Aird Merkley is recognized on far right)
From the personal albums of Tamera Lund

Homesteading on Diamond Mountain
Sander girls in photo
From the personal albums of Shannon Andersen

"Keturah's Diamond Mountain Cabin"
(Likely grown Sanders girls and Virginia M Hacking, 2nd from right)
From the personal albums of Tamera Lund

Lewis House Fires

The Siney Sr and Elizabeth C Lewis household had the misfortune of suffering through more than one house fire.  The post covers their life history in that context.

The following is an excerpt from the Life History of Mary (Lewis) Hatch (written by herself, and found in the personal albums of Glen Hatch) regarding one of the house fires they experienced:

"...Another disastrous thing that came to us when I was a child was our home being destroyed by fire.  Houses in those days were more or less fire traps- logs with factory stretched over them.  All homes were about the same then, to freshen and clean them, the factory was whitewashed occasionally.  This would cause the factory on the ceiling to bag down with the weight of the whitewash on it.  If we could go into a house like that now, we would never forget it.  As soon as material became available, Mother started to persuade Father to lathe and plaster the house, but like all men, he’d say, “I can’t see anything wrong with it.”

Every morning, Father would get up early, make a big fire in the kitchen stove, then go out to do his other chores.  We children were in the front of the house dressing.  I could smell smoke.  I looked out a little south window and could see the smoke coming out of the crack over the door.  I screamed, “The house is on fire.” I ran to the door leading into the kitchen, threw it open, and the flames darted at me like a great red tongue.  We were all out of there in less than two minutes.

Children don’t suffer too much from events like that and it’s a good thing.  It’s the parents.  I stayed at Nonie’s, Mother and Father went down to Siney’s until the house could be rebuilt.  To have to start from the bottom- no dishes, no dishtowels or sheets or towels, no cooking utensils and, worst of all, no money to buy more.  The poverty and hardships people went through!..."

Newspaper article: 

SOURCE: Vernal Express 1906, Nov 10, p.1

Newspaper article:

CRUEL FLAMES!

LEWIS FAMILY LEFT HOMELESS AGAIN.

For the Third Time Within Two Years, Fire Destroys Belongings of Siney Lewis.

For the third time in the brief period of two years Siney Lewis has been burned out.

The conflagration occurred Thursday night, or more correctly speaking, very early Friday morning.  The cause of the fire was undoubtedly a few pieces of kindling wood, placed on the kitchen stove to dry.  The heat form the range it is thought, ignited these, from them fire was communicated to the floor, the flames making great headway before the inmates of the house awakened.

Every possible effort was made to save the contents of the house and extinguish the flames, but without success, so far as the latter part of the proposition was concerned, as the building was totally destroyed.  Most of the contents of the front part of the house were removed but those of the kitchen were entirely lost.

Two of the children were almost suffocated and had a narrow escape.  This is the third heavy loss Mr. Lewis has suffered from fire.  The first fire occurred two years ago, when the steam thresher set his stack afire, causing the loss of all his hay, grain, stables, stackyards etc, later on his house with all his household effects were totally destroyed by fire and now comes this fire, for the second time rendering the family homeless.  The house had just received the finishing touches and the family confidently expected to enjoy their home this winter.  It is needless to say the family are justly entitled to substantial public sympathy.

*Spelling and punctuation corrected wherein I was aware.

Newspaper follow-up:

SOURCE: Vernal Express 1906, Nov 24, p.3

Newspaper follow-up transcribed:

Siney Lewis wishes to thank those who came to the assistance of his family, and have made it possible for them to build another house this winter.

Newspaper follow-up, II:

SOURCE: Vernal Express 1907, Jan 5, p.1

Newspaper follow-up, II, transcribed:
The county commissioners have appropriated 1,000 feet of lumber to assist Siney Lewis in the erection of a new home.


From the "History of Charley Lewis" (recorded by Charles Lewis himself to his daughter Lenore in 1975 who transcribed the document found in the personal albums of Patty Stewart) we have this account:

"... The first fire we had I was about 8 or 9 years old.  I was sleeping on the floor right next to Frank.  He was on a cot.  In the night I heard something popping and sounding like a fire burning and it woke me up.  As I looked into the other room, into the kitchen, I could see the fire just coming up over the edge of the door.

 It scared me so that I woke Frank up right then.  He woke the rest of the family.  We started getting things out of the house as fast as we could and one of the neighbors came over, but the house was so engulfed in smoke and fire that we didn’t get very much out of the house.

 It started by Mother putting some kindling on the back of the stove to dry it so it would be dried by morning.  There was enough fire in the stove that it ignited the wood and that caused the fire.  It burned the house down.  That was the first fire.

 ... The second fire they got the framework all up and [were] getting along there pretty well with it and the ceiling on the top there.  They had run the chimney right up [through] the house and got it too close to the wood.  That was the second fire.  It ignited right from the top of the house.  In a little while, the whole house was in flames.  I remember that Joe Carroll was one of the big helpers.  He had done a lot of the work and contributed some of the material.  He was Annie’s first husband...

 That was in the wintertime.  We had kind of dug out a big cellar at the back of the house that we used to keep our fruit and stuff in, and we had to use that a lot there for some of our living.  Siney had just got married and was living down [through] the fields and had built a house there [for] he and Lena.  We used to go down there to live quite a little bit, until our house was so that we could live in that.  Some of us slept in that cellar.  I remember distinctly when we were living down there we’d milk the cows up in the corral then take the milk down to Siney’s and separate it. I wasn’t big enough to carry the milk bucket so it would just slide along on the snow as I was carrying it along...."

Photos of some of Birda's siblings when in youth

The following are photos of some of Birda's siblings in their younger days.

"Some Lewis siblings- Mary, Charlie, Georgia, Frank"
From the personal albums of Bryce Merkley

"Charlie Lewis standing, unknown seated"
From the personal albums of Patty Stewart

"Green River Swimming-
Likely Jennie far left, Asher next to her, Charlie standing,
Mary with arm around husband Charles Hatch,
children and other man far left unknown"
From the personal albums of Glen Hatch

"Birda, Frank and wife Frances, little Virginia with the doll"
From the personal albums of Tamera Lund

"Frank Lewis in his store, maybe 1930s"
From personal albums of David Ahrnsbrak

"Siney Lewis Jr working in confectionery shop, maybe 1918"
From the personal albums of David Ahrnsbrak

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 Mary L. Hatch

Mary Lewis Hatch was an older sister to Birda.

Photo from personal albums of Glen Hatch

According to these documents, the following dates apply:

BIRTH: 25 Nov 1887- Midway, Wasatch, Utah

DEATH: 8 Oct 1963- Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah*

She was 75 years old when she died of cancer.

Obituary:

SOURCE: SL Tribune 1963, Oct 10, p.C2

Obituary transcribed:
Mary L. Hatch
VERNAL- Mrs. Mary Lewis Hatch, 75, died of cancer Wednesday, 12:55 p.m., at the home of a daughter in Salt Lake City.  Born Nov. 25, 1887, Midway, Wasatch County, to Siney and Elizabeth Coleman Lewis.  Married to Charles A. Hatch, Oct. 4, 1911, Salt Lake Temple, Church of Jeses Christ of Latter-day Saints.  He died, June, 1959.  Member, LDS Church. Past president, Primary and Relief Society, Vernal Third LDS Ward.  Member, Senior Current Topics Club and Utopia Club.  Attended Brigham Young University, University of Utah.  Former teacher, Uintah School District.  Survivors: son, daughter, Glen L., Mrs. Don D. (Buffie) Lybbert, both Salt Lake City; six grandchildren; brothers, sisters, Frank and Charles P. Lewis, Mrs. John (Annie) Weist, Mrs. Harold E. (Jennie) Hullinger, all Vernal; Mrs. Asher (Birda) Merkley, serving LDS mission, Texas.  Funeral Saturday, 10:30 a.m., Vernal Third LDS Ward Chapel.  Friends call Vernal Mortuary Sunday, 7-9 p.m., Monday prior to services.  Burial, Vernal Memorial Cemetery.

Local obituary:

SOURCE: Vernal Express 1963, Oct 10, p.5

Local obituary transcribed:
Mrs. Chas. Hatch Funeral Set Here Saturday
Funeral services for Mrs. Charles A. (Mary) Hatch, 75, have been set for Saturday at 10:30 a.m. in Vernal 3rd Ward chapel.
She died Wednesday about 1 p.m. at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Don (Buffie) Lybbert in Salt Lake City after an illness.
She was born November 25, 1997 at Midway, Utah, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Siney Lewis, Sr.  She was married October 4, 1911 to Charles A. Hatch in the Salt Lake Temple.
He died June 30, 1959.
Survivors include one son and one daughter, Glenn L. Hatch, Salt Lake City, and Mrs. Lybbert, and six grandchildren.
Friends may call at the Vernal Mortuary Friday evening from 7 to 9 and Saturday morning prior to services.
Burial will be in Vernal City Memorial Park.

Funeral notice:

SOURCE: Vernal Express 1963, Oct 17, p.5

Funeral notice transcribed:
Final Rites Held Saturday for Mary Hatch
Funeral rites were held Saturday at 10:30 a.m. in the Vernal Third Ward Chapel for Mrs. Mary Lewis Hatch, 75.
Mrs. Hatch died of cancer Wednesday of last week at 12:55 p.m. at the home of a daughter in Salt Lake City.
Prayer at the Vernal Mortuary was offered by Douglas Merkley.
Prelude and postlude music at the chapel was rendered by Mrs. Mary Schaefermeyer, Gene Ray Hall, a member of the Bishopric, conducted the services.
The hymn, "In the Garden" was sung by Pat Stewart and Roberta Ufford, and invocation was offered by Paul Hullinger.
Harold E. Hullinger, brother-in-law of the deceased, was the first speaker, followed by a trio, "One Fleeting Hour" sung by Mrs. Marva Lent, Mrs. Lois Erickson and Mrs. Merilyn Maxwell.
James Gray was the concluding speaker, and "Going Home" was sung by Glad Sowards.  All musical numbers were accompanied by Mrs. Schaefermeyer.
Bryce Merkley offered the benediction and the burial was in the Vernal Memorial Park Cemetery, with Leo Hacking dedicating the grave.
Pallbearers were Don, Richard and Hugo Hullinger, Max Stewart, Devere Carroll and Bill Lewis.
Mrs. Hatch was born Nov. 25, 1887 in Midway, UT, a daughter of Siney and Elizabeth Coleman Lewis.  She was married to Charles A. Hatch, Oct. 4, 1911 in the Salt Lake LDS Temmple.  He died, June 1959.
She was past president of the Primary and Relief Society of Vernal Third Ward.  A member of the Senior Current Topics Club and Utopia Club.  Attended Brigham Young University, University of Utah, and was a former teacher in the Uintah School District.
Survivors; son, daughter, Glenn L. and Mrs. Don D. (Buffie) Lybbert, both of Salt Lake City; six grandchildren; brother, sisters, Frank and Charles P. Lewis, Mrs. John (Annie) Weist,  Mrs. Harold E. (Jennie) Hullinger, all of Vernal; Mrs. Asher (Birda) Merkley, serving on LDS mission in Texas.
Out-of-town visitors attending the services were: Mr. and Mrs. Glenn L. Hatch, Mr. and Mrs. Don D. Lybbert, Mr. and Mrs. Everett Lybbert, Mrs. Dan Lybbert, Don Hullinger, Mr. and Mrs. Robert D. Neilson, Tamera Hacking and Mr. and Mrs. Fred Hudson and daughter all of Salt Lake City.
Robert Lewis, Rangely; Mr. and Mrs. Axel Birch and Mrs. Venetta Probst, Pleasant Grove; Paul Hullinger and Mr. and Mrs. Bryce Merkley, Mr. and Mrs. George McMilland, Mrs. Elizabeth Japerson and Mrs. Ann Fisher, all of Heber City.
Vernal Pearce, Norwalk, Calif.; Mrs. Venice West, Downey, Calif.; Mrs. Louis Heine, Lynwood, Calif.; E.W. Evans, Provo; Mr. and Mrs. George Foster, Columbia, UT; and Mr. and Mrs. James Gray, and Mr. Gray's mother of Lehi.
*Punctuation and spelling corrected wherein I was aware.

Photo from the personal albums of Bryce Merkley

* The 1963 calendar indicates that the 8th of October was a Tuesday.  These documents state she died "last Wednesday" which would have been the 9th of October, but family records indicate that her death date WAS the 8th, SO there's a bit of a discrepancy here.  Her death certificate may clarify this.

As Mary died in the last 50 years, her death certificate should become publicly available in 2013.  When it is, I will post it here.

Mary Lewis & Charles Hatch

Mary Lewis was one of Birda's older sisters.

Mary married Charles Hatch (of Vernal, UT) on 4 Oct 1911 in Salt Lake City, UT.

Thus, she became Mary Lewis Hatch.

Photos from the personal albums of Glen Hatch
Photoshopped together by me.

Newspaper notice:

SOURCE: Vernal Express 1911, Sept 22, p.5

Newspaper notice transcribed:

BOOKED FOR MATRIMONY

Miss Mary Lewis has left the employ of the Acorn Mercantile Co, for the sole reason, it is said that she is to marry.  The groom to be is Mr. Charles Hatch.  The young people are scheduled to leave for Salt Lake City next Tuesday.

*Punctuation adjusted by me.

 Marriage license:

SOURCE: familysearch.org

Newspaper notice:

SOURCE: Vernal Express 1911, Oct 6, p.6

Newspaper notice transcribed:

Mrs. Siney Lewis is in Zion with the Hatch Lewis bridal party.

Newspaper notice:

SOURCE: Vernal Express 1911, Oct 20, p.8

Newspaper notice transcribed:
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hatch returned from Salt Lake City last night where they have been spending their honeymoon.

Photo from the personal albums of Glen Hatch
Cropped from a larger photo

Photos from the personal albums of Bryce Merkley
Photoshopped together by me.