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..."

The big fur coat

Apparently there was a big inside joke with the Lewis family about this enormous fur coat.

I can't give you the particulars on it, other than that was the passed down consensus on it, and the fact that we have photographic antics of everyone trying it on.

All photos are from the personal albums of Patty Stewart.

Crystal Lewis wearing the coat
"Feb 15, 1915"

Charlie Lewis wearing the coat
"Feb 15, 1915" 

Older Lewis sister wearing the coat (Annie?  Georgie? Nonie?)
(Maybe even Charlie's mother, Elizabeth?  It looks an awful lot like her...)
"Feb 15, 1915"
*Additional photo of this shot in reverse is dated 1916, but I think the 1915 date is more likely.

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

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

Death info on Allen K Hodgson

Allen King Hodgson was Birda's brother-in-law.

He married Birda's half-sister, Lottie Blair Lewis.

"Alan King Hodson- married to Lottie Lewis"
Photo from personal albums of Dallas Workman

According to this document the following dates apply:

BIRTH: 11 Dec 1876- ,, UT

DEATH: 28 Nov 1904- Vernal, Uintah, UT

He was almost 28 years old when he died.

Death Certificate:

SOURCE: Utah State Archives

There are many variant spellings of his name (Alan, Allan, Allen... Hodson, Hodgson, Hodgon) but I chose to go with the version on his death certificate.

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.

Death info on Jennie Hullinger

Jennie Lewis Hullinger was Birda's younger sister.

Photo from the personal history blog of Charmain Runyon
http://haroldandjenniehullinger.blogspot.com
Accessed Feb 2013

According to these documents the following dates apply:

BIRTH: 6 Dec 1900- Vernal, Uintah, Utah

DEATH: 3 Jun 1995- Orem, Utah, Utah

She was 94 years old when she died.

Obituary:

SOURCE: Deseret News 1995, Jun 5, p.B4

Obituary transcribed:

Jennie Lewis Hullinger

VERNAL- Jennie Lewis Hullinger, 94, died June 3, 1995, at the home of a daughter in Orem. 

Born December 6, 1900, in Vernal to Siney and Elizabeth Coleman Lewis Sr.  Married Harold Everett Hullinger June 6, 1924, in Salt Lake City.  He died February 14, 1971.

Uintah Basin Mother of the Year in 1972.  Member DUP.  Active member of the LDS Church.

She is survived by sons and daughter, E. Paul, Smithfield; Richard L., Laguna Niguel, Calif.; Don R., Taylorsville; Floyd E. and Venetta H. Probst, both Orem; 35 grandchildren, 51 great-grandchildren.

Jennie was preceded in death by a son, Harold Hugo, and 11 older brothers and sisters.

Funeral services Wednesday, 12 noon, Vernal 4th LDS Ward Chapel, 235 East 600 South.  Friends may call at the Hullinger Jolley Funeral Home Tuesday, 7-9 p.m. and Wednesday at the church from 11-11:45 a.m.  Burial, Vernal Memorial Park.

Local obit:

SOURCE: Vernal Express 1995, Jun 7, p?

Local obit transcribed:
Hullinger dies June 2 in Orem
Jennie Lewis Hullinger, age 94, of Vernal, died June 2, 1995 at the home of a daughter in Orem.  She was born Dec. 6, 1900 in Vernal, to Siney Lewis, Sr. and Elizabeth Coleman Lewis.  She married Harold Everett Hullinger on June 6, 1924 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple.  He died Feb 4, 1971.
Jennie attended BYU; taught elementary school in Vernal for a year.  She was a member of the DUP and past member of the Current Topics Club and the Women's Faculty League.  She was an active member of the LDS Church and served in many positions.  She was the Uintah Basin Mother of the Year in 1972.
She is survived by sons and daughter: E. Paul Hullinger, Smithfield, Richard L. Hullinger, Laguna Niguel, Calif., Don R. Hullinger, Taylorsville, Floyd E. Hullinger, Orem, and Venetta H. Probst, Orem.  She is also survived by 35 grandchildren and 51 great-grandchildren.
Jennie was the youngest of 12 children and has been preceded in death by all her brothers and sisters and a son, Harold Hugo Hullinger.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, June 7, 1995 at 12 noon in the Vernal, Utah Ashley Stake Center.
Interment will be in the Vernal Memorial Park under the direction of the Hullinger-Jolley Funeral Home.
*Spelling corrected wherein I was aware.  Note also that her husband's death date differs in both obituaries.

\

Photo from the personal history blog of Charmain Runyon
http://haroldandjenniehullinger.blogspot.com
Accessed Feb 2013

As Jennie died within the last 50 years, her death certificate will not become publicly available until sometime around the year 2044.  When it is available, I will post it here.

Ezra Merkley- busted!

I don't know why I get such a kick out of Asher's older brother, Ezra, but I do.  He seemed to live life vibrantly in the short time he was alive, so articles such as this make me smile:

SOURCE: Vernal Express 1907, Jan 12, p.1

Newspaper notice transcribed:

Justice Nebeker's Court.

A few days ago Wallace Oaks, Ezra Merkley, John Merkley and Charles Hatch, all minors, were arraigned before City Justice of the Peace B.D. Nebeker on a charge of frequenting saloons.  The evidence disclosed the fact that the above mentioned defendants had visited saloons but had purchased no liquor, however, they plead guilty to the charge and promised not to repeat the offense.  The Justice suspended sentence upon them during good behaviour, but upon a repetition of the offense they will be called into court and sentenced.

January 7th, 1907

* Punctuation adjusted by me.

Ezra Merkley
You little rabble-rouser...

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