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.

Evans house fire

Lenora L W Evans was Birda's eldest sister.

The following 1903 article was the closest thing I could find in relation to her marriage to Edward William Evans in 1904 (as the 1904 year of the "Vernal Express" is missing.)  Considering the story aspect of it all, I felt it deserved it's own post.

News article:

SOURCE: Vernal Express 1903, Aug 29, p.2

News article transcribed:
A Big Blaze
The residence of E.W. Evans was totally destroyed by fire Tuesday afternoon together with some furniture, bedding, etc.  The origin of the fire was due to a defective flue and started in the upper part of the building.
The fire was discovered by one of the children from the outside of the building, who ran in and communicated the startling news to Mrs. Lenora Watkins who with the children were the only occupants of the place at the time.  Mrs. Watkins at once started the children for assistance to the neighbors, but the fire had already gained such headway that it was apparent that nothing could be done to save the building.
With commendable nerve Mrs. Watkins and the children rushed about moving what furniture and utensils they were able to handle from the kitchen which was directly underneath the seat of the conflagration.  Several neighbors arrived on the scene and set about the task of removing the furniture from the parlor, the most of which was saved.
All of the winter bedding, clothes, etc, upstairs were lost and the greater part of the kitchen furniture.  At the time the fire was discovered two of the children were bathing in one of the rooms, and they were force to leave minus clothes, shoes, and all, which were destroyed.  A box of clothes which Mr. Evans had recently had made for the children, went with the rest.  Mr. Evans states that he estimates the total loss at $1,500 covered by an insurance policy of $600.
R.S. Collett, agent for the company in which the policy was carried, went down Thursday evening to inspect the ruins in the interest of his company.
*Spelling and punctuation adjusted.


This event happened about 6 months before they married, and as Nonie was watching his kids in his house, it leads me to conclude that she was either being neighborly and this tragic fire united them together more intimately, or that they were fond of each other this far advanced of their marriage and she was practicing a prospective maternal role with his previous family of children when this all went down.

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

Lewis sisters when young

This is a fantastic photo of Birda's MUCH older sisters when they were tiny little girls.

"Nonie, Minnie, and Annie Lewis as little girls"
From the personal albums of LaReta Brinkerhoff

Death info on Alfred Watkins

Alfred Watkins was Birda's brother-in-law.  He was the first husband to Birda's older sister, Lenora (or Nonie).

To my great dismay, there are no photos to be found of Alfred.

According to these documents, the following dates apply:

BIRTH: abt. 1864?

DEATH: 17-19 Nov 1896- Midway, Wasatch, Utah

He was about 31 years old when he died.*

Marriage license from the year before in 1895 states he was 31 years old.  

Birth year was estimated from information found on marriage license as well.

Death notice:

SOURCE: Deseret News 1896, Nov 16, p.5

Death notice transcribed:

DIED IN THE MOUNTAINS

A Young Hunter of Midway Frozen to Death.

A report was brought to town late last evening that Alfred Watkins, a son of Bishop Watkins of Midway, had been found dead on Mahogany ridge, about four miles north of Midway, supposed to have been frozen to death some time between Tuesday and the time his body was discovered.

A Wave man set out to hunt up further particulars, but did not meet with the desired success, and owning to the closeness to press day we can only give this meager report of the sad affair.

Last Tuesday Alfred Watkins left his home and young wife and babe in Midway to go out gunning in the hills just north of the town, saying he would return that evening.  Upon his failing to appear late at night, his wife became alarmed and notified other members of the family.  Thinking the missing man would surely return by morning, no attempt to search for him was made that night, but early Wednesday morning a searching party was formed and diligently searched the hills and canyons the entire day without success.  The search was continued until late in the afternoon of yesterday, when the lifeless body of the object of their anxiety was found on what is called Mahogany ridge, between the old Warm Land resort and Snake Creek, north of Midway, as stated above.  From what we could learn the body appeared to have been frozen, as there were no signs of having met with an accident or of having been foully dealt with.

The body was brought to town and the news broken to the distracted wife of about eighteen months, who is left with the child.

The deceased was about 30 years old, and one of Midway's honorable young men.  The affair has cast a gloom over the entire community.-- Wasatch Wave, Nov. 13th

*I can find no mention of Alfred's death within the Wasatch Wave, the county where the event occurred.

 Local death notice:

SOURCE: Vernal Express 1896, Nov 19, p.1

Local death notice transcribed:

Alfred Watkins, formerly of this county, was found dead near Midway last Thursday and it is thought that he froze to death as he started out hunting on Tuesday.  He has been living in Midway about a year and has brother living here, and about two years ago married Miss Lewis whose parents live in Millward.

*Marriage record is dated 1895, so this notice's marriage guess is off by a bit.

Because the state of Utah did not produce death certificates until after 1900, there is no death certificate available for Alfred.  I am hoping to find living descendants that may have more information.

The only photo I have on this sad tale is that of the wife and child he left behind.

"Daughter Hazel with mother, Lenora L Watkins (Evans)"
From the personal albums of Phil Foster

The widowed Nonie went on to remarry Mr. Edward W. Evans in 1904, so her story picks up from there...

Death info on Edward W Evans

Edward William Evans was Birda's brother-in-law.

He married Birda's older sister, Leonora (or Nonie) and was her 2nd husband.

E.W. Evans outside his harness shop in Vernal, UT
Photo from the personal albums of Phil Foster
Image cropped from larger photo

According to these documents the following dates apply:

BIRTH: 10 Mar 1869- Nephi, Juab, Utah

DEATH: 3 Mar 1966- Provo, Utah, Utah

He was just shy of his 97th birthday when he died (wow).

Obituary:

SOURCE: Deseret News 1966, Mar 4, p.B8

Obituary transcribed:
Edward W. Evans
PROVO- Edward William Evans, 96, 130 S. 400 East, died Thursday, 5:15 a.m. in a Provo rest home of causes incident to age.
Born March 10, 1869, Nephi, to William Minshall and Charlotte Jarrold Evans.  Married Louise Burton Feb. 14, 1889.  She died Jan. 5, 1902.  Married Leonora Lewis Watkins Feb. 24, 1904.  She died Jan 8, 1948.  Married Mary Jane Brookes Long July 14, 1958.  She died Oct. 5, 1954.
Harness and saddle maker.  Attended Nephi schools, before becoming saddle and harness makers' apprentice in 1882.  Owned saddle and harness shop Vernal in 1899.  High Priest, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Member Provo Senior Citizens' group.
Survivors: one son, one daughter; James Burton Evans, Provo; Mrs. George J. (Ephia) Foster, Columbia, Carbon County; one step-daughter, Mrs. Hazel Rodems, San Carlos, Calif.; 21 grandchildren; 62 great-grandchildren; 42 great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral Monday, 10 a.m., Berg Mortuary Drawing Room Chapel where friends call Sunday 6-8 p.m., and Monday before services.  Burial Vernal Memorial Park, Vernal.

Local obituary:

SOURCE: Vernal Express 1966, Mar 10,  p.10

Local obituary transcribed:

Services Honor E.W. Evans, Former Resident

Funeral services for Edward William Evans, 97, former Vernal resident, were held Monday at 10 a.m. in the Berg Drawing Chapel in Provo with Bishop Gordon M. Weight of the Provo 7th LDS Ward officiating.  Mr. Evans died in the Central Utah Convalescent Center Thursday of last week of causes incident to age.

Mr. Evans was born March 10, 1869 in Nephi, Utah to William Minshall Evans and Charlotte Jarrold Hyder Evans.  He married Louise Burton February 14, 1889.  She died January 5, 1902.  He married Leonora Lewis Watkins February 24, 1904 and she died January 8, 1948.  He married Mary Jane Brooks Long July 14, 1950, she died October 5, 1954.

Mr. Evans attended the Nephi Schools and at the age of nine his father died leaving him the family responsibilities.  In 1882 he became an apprentice, learning the harness and saddle trade.  During his apprenticeship he repaired the harnesses for the famous twenty-mule Borax team that traveled through Nephi.

He admired the beauties of the Uintah Basin and in 1899 he purchased a harness and shoe shop from McIntire and Meadows.  He was an early booster of the proponents of water development at dream that was fulfilled by the completion of Flaming Gorge Dam and Steinaker Reservoir.  He participated in many culture projects at the turn of the century, also participated in musical productions and beautification of the Vernal City Park.

Mr. Evans was an active member of the LDS Church and was a High Priest at the time of his death.  Ne was a member of the Senior Citizens of Provo and attended their regular parties and dances until November 1965.  He lived from the days of hitching posts and wooden sidewalks to the space age with a keen and alert mind.

Survivors include a son and a daughter, James Burton Evans of Provo and Mrs. George J. (Ephia) Foster of Columbia, Utah; a stepdaughter, Mrs. Hazel Rodems of San Carlos, Calif.; 21 grandchildren, 62 great-grandchildren and 42 great-great grandchildren.

Burial was in the Vernal Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of the Berg Mortuary of Provo.

Photo from the personal albums of Bryce Merkley

Because E.W. died in the last 50 years his death certificate will not become publicly available until sometime around the year 2016.  When it is available I will post it here.

Death info on Leonora Evans

 Leonora Lewis Watkins Evans was one of Birda's older sisters.

(She was commonly referred to as "Nonie", and her given name has mutated into many different variations: Lenore, Lenora, Leonara, Noni, etc.  Not sure exactly WHICH way is the correct way to spell it.)

Photo from the personal albums of Bryce Merkley
Photo cropped from original larger group shot.

According to these documents the following dates apply:

BIRTH: 16 Aug 1876- Holliday, Salt Lake, Utah

DEATH: 8 Jan 1948- Palo Alto, Santa Clara, California

She was 71 years old when she died following a major operation.

Obituary:

SOURCE: SL Trib 1948, Jan 10, p.24

Obituary transcribed:

Lenora L.W. Evans

VERNAL, Jan 9- Lenora Lewis Watkins Evans, 71, wife of E.W. Evans, Vernal, died Thursday at 5 a.m. at Palo Alto, Cal of complications following an operation.

She was born Aug 16, 1876 at Holladay, Salt Lake County, a daughter of Siney and Elizabeth Coleman Lewis.

Mrs. Evans came to Vernal in 1895, where she married Alfred Watkins, who died three years later.  She them married Mrs. Evans at Vernal.

She had been active in LDS church activities in the Relief Society and Daughters of the Utah Pioneers.

Survivors include her husband, Vernal, two daughters, Hazel Domney Evans, Palo Alto; and Mrs. George Foster, Columbia, Carbon County; three stepchildren, Bert Evans, Provo; Mrs. Lillie Murdock, Heber, and Mrs. Jean Scandian, Palo Alto; and the following brothers and sisters, Mrs. Annie Wiest, Mrs. Charles Hatch, Mrs. Jennie Hullinger, Frank Lewis, and Mrs. Birda Merkley, Vernal; Mrs. Georgia McClelland, San Francisco; Charles P. Lewis and Siney Lewis, Los Angeles.

Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday noon in the Vernal Second LDS ward chapel, by Phil Watkins, bishop.  Burial will be in Vernal Memorial cemetery.

Friends may call at the family home Tuesday from 10 a.m. until time of services.

*Spelling and punctuation corrected wherein I was aware.

Local Obituary:

SOURCE: Vernal Express 1948, Jan 8, p.1

 Local Obituary transcribed:
Mrs. E.W. Evans Dies On Coast After Operation
Mrs. Leonora Lewis Watkins Evans, 71, died this morning (Thursday) at Palo Alto, Calif., following a major operation.
Mrs. Evans was born at Holliday in Salt Lake County, August 16, 1876, the daughter of Siney Lewis, Sr., and Elizabeth Coleman Lewis.  She lived the early part of her life at Midway.
She and Alfred Watkins, and rancher, were married at Vernal.  The couple settled at Midway.  They had one child, who survives.  Mr. Watkins died three years following their marriage.
She later married E.W. Evans, a harness maker, at Vernal.  The couple had three children, one of whom survives.  Mr. and Mrs. Evans have since resided at Vernal.  Mrs. Evans went to the coast for her health in early December.
Mrs. Evans was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  She was a member of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers and was an active Relief Society worker.
She is survived by her husband; two daughters, Mrs. Hazel Dominy, San Francisco, and Mrs. Ephia Foster, Columbia; three stepchildren, Bert Evans, Provo; Mrs. Lily Murdock, Heber; Mrs. Jane Scalen, San Francisco; three brothers, Siney Lewis, Jr., Los Angeles, Calif.; Frank and Charles Lewis, Vernal; five sisters, Mrs. John Wise, Mrs. Charles Hatch, Mrs. Asher Merkley, Mrs. Harold Hullinger, Vernal; Mrs. Lynn McClelland, San Francisco, Calif.  Funeral arrangements will be announced later.
*Spelling and punctuation corrected by me wherein I was aware.

Funeral notice:

SOURCE: Vernal Express 1948, Jan 15, p.1

Funeral notice transcribed:

Final Rites Held For Mrs. E.W. Evans

Funeral services for Mrs. Leonora Lewis Watkins Evans, 71, long time resident of Uintah County, who died January 8 at Palo Alto, Calif., following a major operation, were held at the Vernal Second Ward Chapel, Tuesday, at noon, under the direction of Bishop Philip Watkins.

Prayer at the home was offered by Bishop Orion R. Jones.  Harold Hullinger gave the invocation at the services and Charles Hatch, the benediction.  Speakers were Bishop Watkins and President Archie Johnson.  Musical selections included: prelude and postlude, organ, Elaine Evans; "Have I Done any Good in the World Today?," vocal duet, Thressa Hadlock and Frank Walker, "Calvary", vocal solo, Avard Rigby; "One Fleeting Hour," vocal solo Virginia Hacking; "End of A Perfect Day", violin solo, Gilbert Childs; E.J. Winder dedicated the grave.

Pallbearers were Evans Smith, B.G. Simpson, M.B. Lawson, Rex A. Murdock, M.E. Murdock, M.B. Murdock.

Mrs. Evans was born at Holliday, August 16, 1876, a daughter of Siney Lewis, Sr., and Elizabeth Coleman Lewis.

She and Alfred Watkins were married November 25, 1895 at Vernal.  The couple settled at Midway.  Mr. Watkins died November 10, 1896.

She and E.W. Evans were later married at Vernal.  The couple have since lived at Vernal until early December when Mrs. Evans went to California for her health.

A member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Mrs. Evans was an active Relief Society worker.

She is survived by her husband; two daughters, Mrs. Hazel Dominy, San Francisco and Mrs. Ephia Foster, Columbia; three stepchildren, Bert Evans, Provo; Mrs. Lily Murdock, Heber; Mrs. Jane Scalen, San Francisco; three brothers, Siney Lewis, Jr.,  Los Angeles, Calif., Frank and Charles Lewis, Vernal; fives sisters Mrs. John Wise, Mrs. Charles Hatch, Mrs. Asher Merkley, Mrs. Harold Hullinger, all of Vernal; Mrs. Lynn McClelland, San Francisco.

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

Funeral review:

NO SOURCE
Found in the personal albums of Mark Foster

Photo from the personal albums of Bryce Merkley
Cropped from larger family group sheet

Because Leonora died in California, it will require some further investigative work to obtain her death certificate.  When I can procure it, I will post a copy of it on this page.

*I just noticed there are some discrepancies in the dates that she and Alfred Watkins were married- I shall have to investigate this further and post my findings on their marriage post.