HISTORY OF ED WILKES by his daughter Mary Wilkes Spackman
"Father was the third child of Grandfather and Grandmother Wilkes. He was born in St. Charles, Idaho on December 13, 1878. During his younger boyhood days he spent many happy hours playing with his cousin and friend Ernest Allred on the shores of old Bear Lake.
"When a small boy of about six years of age, Grandfather moved his family of six members (Aunt Lottie then being the baby) to Star Valley in the year of about 1884. Thru the mishap of losing their horses the family moved back to Bear Lake and then a few years later they moved back to Star Valley once more.
"Grandfather found employment in the Burton store and after supper he and Uncle Johnny used to go over to the store and get the mail ready to leave the next morning. Father was still just a small boy a this time and often times he would go over with them, he had a favorite place on a box back by the stove where it was dimly lighted, and it was here he liked to sit. He was very fond of raisins and, of course, knew just where they were kept.
"On one such night while Grandfather and Uncle Johnny were busy with the mail father crept over to the raisin box and took a large handful of raisins, then went back to his box to eat them. After he had finished eating them he decided to go back for more and this time he was going to get more than he did the first time. He was cramming his hand deep down in so as to get just as many as possible and to his great surprise and amazement knocked the box to the floor making a loud thud. Of course, Grandfather called out and said, "Ed, what are you doing?" And all Father could do was to answer in a small weak voice, "I'm just a feelin' here."
"When father was about 18 years old he helped Grandfather haul the mail to the Lower Valley. They held this job for eight years and had many hard trips and narrow escapes.
"Many happy and enjoyable evenings were spent at home singing and cording on the organ and guitar.
"At the age of 24 on June 10, 1903, he and his sister, Aunt Hettie were married to a brother and sister, Tom and Mary Blacker, in the Logan Temple. Father and his bride lived on the old Guy Dakin place and to this union were born two children, a daughter, Arvilla, and a son, Howard. In just five years and 8 months when Arvilla was four and Howard 2, his wife died leaving him with his two tiny children and a sad broken heart, but he didn't give up and did his best. He then moved back to Grandmother's with his little family.
"Then on the 28th of September 1910 he was married to my mother, Elizabeth Moffat in the Salt Lake Temple. One year later a baby boy was born to them but he only lived a short while. They had three other children, all of whom are still living, Lanore, Murray and myself.
"Father freighted for the Burton Mercantile for about 8 or 10 years. He also ran the Thomas Burton ranch for 4 years.
"In the summer of 1930 Mother went down to visit with Howard and his wife in Pocatello where Howard was employed in Aunt Luella's store. Mother had been in very poor health. A short time later Father went down and found her very much improved and while there Aunt Luella offered him employment in her store and thinking only of the best for Mother's best good and welfare, he accepted the position. He came back to Afton to make arrangements for the moved and on the 25th of October 1929 (Howard's and Lola's first wedding anniversary) Father, Lanore, Murray and I moved down to Pocatello. Arvilla staying in Afton where she was employed as a telephone operator. However, Mother's change of good health didn't last long and just three months later, on the 18th of January 1931 she was taken from leaving us all heart broken and lonely. We brought her back home in Star Valley for burial.
"In May 1932 we moved back home in Afton then the first part of August Father was called back to Pocatello on account of the serious illness of Howard who had just undergone an operation for ruptured appendix. He died on the 10th of August, once more leaving an empty space in our family circle. He left a wife and 13 month old baby daughter, Myrna.
"Father is now the secretary of the high priest quorum of the Afton North Ward. He has but one ambition and that is to see his family go thru life respectably, honorably and happily and, although he hasn't much of worldly gain he is no failure, but a grand success, one not measured by money but measured in God's molds, honesty, kindness and courage!"
As can readily be observed the above history was written by Mary many years ago, probably, to be read at one of the Wilkes' family reunions.
Also, an item of interest and also written by Mary and which has been in this writer's files for many years is here copied:
THE INDIAN SCARE
(As told to me by Father on February 14, 1932, Mary Wilkes Spackman.)
"About 35 or 40 years ago the people of this Valley (Star Valley) had a terrible Indian scare. It happened during the haying season. Men were out working in the fields when a man, riding a horse, went through the Valley spreading the alarm that the Indians were on the warpath and were on their way to destroy this people.
"The men all left their work and gathered their families together and packed some bedding and a little food and started for Afton in their buggies, wagons, hayracks and some were even horseback. Some arrived a little before sundown and others between 9 and 10 o'clock that night.
"Many of them gathered at the meeting house and some went to different homes in town. Grandfather Wilkes' home was crowded with people. The floors were crowded with beds and the lot outside was covered with teams and wagons.
"There was not much rest that night. Women were screaming and children were crying. About twelve o'clock a drunken man went thru the streets on horse back giving the war whoop. When the people heard this they thought surely the Indians had come and then there was some pitiful screaming and crying. A half hour later this man was in the crowd on his horse and he fell to ground drunk. Roe Hale (the town marshal. L.B.) And some men carried him to one of the old buildings, covered him and left him there until morning.
"Mrs. Eddins, one of the women that was staying at Grandfather's cried all night. She had two small children and she stayed at their bedside most of the night, crying and praying for their safety. She said she didn't mind being shot by the Indians, but that she didn't want to be cut to pieces by them.
"This terrible suspense lasted but a day or so when Ben Welch, who had been out hunting, came in with the word that the Indians were running in the opposite direction and were as frightened as were the valley people it is said while the Indians were running, one of the squaws lost her little papoose from off her back.
"This Indian scare will never be forgotten by those who witness it."
By the dating of the above incident as suggested by Mary from her father time estimate it probably was about the middle of the 1890s.
During the winter of 1983-4 this writer asked the daughters of Uncle Ed Wilkes to compile a brief history of their parents and to include a statement of each of the children's personal life. In addition, each of the children to supply a complete family tree of their respective families which was done quite pronto. Credit will have to be given the three sisters, Arvilla, Mary and Lanore for this following history of Uncle Ed.
Brief History Of Edmond Wilkes
"After Mother's death (Arvilla's mother), Father, Howard, and I went to live with Grandfather and Grandmother Wilkes. She was running a small hotel which they called the "Cottage Hotel". They were always so kind to us.
"Father and Mother knew a young woman, Bessie Moffat, and after Mother's death Father and she were married September 28, 1910, in the Salt Lake Temple. Howard and I were welcomed into the Moffat family and were treated the same as the other grandchildren. We lived in part of Grandfather and Grandmother Moffat's home on their farm northwest of Afton. While living here their first child, a son, was born in September of 1911. He died shortly after birth. The following September, Mary was born.
"In the autumn of 1912 we moved to Grandfather Wilkes' farm just north of Swift Creek bridge where we lived in a three room log house. This made it more convenient for Arvilla who started school that year. Father took care of the farm and worked for the Burton Mercantile and Creamery hauling cheese and milk products to Montpelier, Idaho, and returning with a load of merchandise for the store. While living here, Lanore was born in 1915 and Murray was born in 1917. We were raised with a strong bond of family love, not knowing any difference between half brothers and half sisters - to us they're all the same. We were blessed with good and honorable parents.
"We moved to the Burton farm southwest of Swift Creek. Father ran this farm for several years. Father bought the Howell home in town in 1925. It was located on the street just north of the tabernacle, so it was convenient to Church and school.
"Father loved horses and always had good teams. He was an excellent horseman. He saw that they were fed and taken care of before he ate. He also raised good vegetable gardens. He still did some freighting to Montpelier. In the evenings he enjoyed playing his guitar and we would join in singing.
"Father and Mother loved the Church and were faithful members. They sang in the North Ward Choir. Mother worked in the stake and ward primary, was president of the Young Women's M.I.A., and taught Sunday School. Father had great faith and was often called to administer to the sick.
"Mother's health was not good. She went to visit Howard and Lola in Pocatello. (Howard was married and had employment in Aunt Luella's grocery store.) Mother seemed to feel better while there. Aunt Luella offered father a job in the store. In October of 1930, Father, Mary, Lanore, and Murray moved to Pocatello. Arvilla stayed in Afton as she was working as a telephone operator. However, Mother's health worsened and she passed away on January 18, 1931, leaving a sad family. Her funeral and burial were in Afton.
"In the spring of 1932 we came back to the farm west of Afton. (Undoubtedly Thomas Burton's, L.B.). In August Howard had surgery for a ruptured appendix, and again a family member is taken in death. Howard died August 10, 1932, leaving his young wife, Lola, and 13-month-old baby daughter, Myrna. What a terrible shock that was. Howard and Lola were married not quite three years. His funeral and burial were in Afton. Through all of life's trials, Father's faith never faltered. It just grew stronger.
"In 1943 went on a six-month mission to Canada. We had many faith promoting experiences. On the way home from his mission, he went to Louisville, Kentucky, for a short visit with lanore, Narvel and family.
"Father came to California in 1946 to visit Arvilla and Mary and their families. He was persuaded to stay and make his home with them, dividing his time between the two homes. We belonged to the Burlingame Ward. Father made many dear friends. He was secretary of the High Priest quorum, and he filled a two-year San Mateo Stake mission. He spent many uncounted hours assisting in the construction of the Burlingame ward chapel, which was completed in 1953. For part of the time in the summers, he would return to Afton for visits with Murray, Lucy and family and Lanore and Narvel and family who, by this time had moved to Salt Lake City.
"After the deaths of Mary's husband and son, Father lived with them all of the time. What a great source of comfort and help he was to them until his death July 15, 1957. His funeral and burial were in Afton."
ARVILLA WILKES: "Arvilla married Glen Humburg December 13, 1941. She was employed by the telephone company in Afton for 18 years. Glen was an auto mechanic in the Ford garage. Shortly after their marriage he went into the Army as World War II had begun. Arvilla went to the coast to be with him until he was sent overseas. Arvilla came to California and lived with he sister, Mary, and husband, Ray. She worked in the telephone office in South San Francisco, where, after Glen's return, he worked. Church positions were teacher in Sunday School and Primary and counselor in the Primary presidency.
"Glen was in Germany when the war ended. He had been in the army for four years. After the war, they lived in California where, as stated, Glen found employment in the Lautze garage in South San Francisco, where he worked until retirement in 1968. They had no children, but were second parents to Mary's children after the death of her husband. In July of 1969 they moved to Salt Lake City, where Glen passed away July 30, 1974." (Arvilla still resides there as of this date late in 1984).
Howard, picture probably taken about the time of graduation from high school
in 1926 or 1927
HOWARD WILKES: "Howard married Lola Allen October 25, 1929 in the Salt Lake Temple. He was a grocery clerk in Aunt Luella's store in Pocatello. They had one daughter, Myrna. Howard died August 10, 1932, at the age of 25.
"Lola worked as a beautician for many years after Howard's death. She has held many Church positions. She has been for several years and, still is in 1984, a temple worker in the Ogden Temple. Lola is musically talented and has a beautiful alto voice. Their daughter is married and lives in Oregon."
MARY WILKES: "Mary married Ray Spackman January 31, 1940. Ray was a shipping clerk at Bethlehem Steel Mill in South San Francisco, California. They lived their entire married life in California. Mary has been a teacher in Sunday School, Primary, and Relief Society and secretary in stake genealogy and Junior Sunday School.
"Ray filled a San Mateo Stake mission and served as superintendent of Sunday School, president of the elder's quorum, and an advisor in the Aaronic Priesthood. They had four children, three boys and one girl, of which three grew to maturity. Ray and eldest son, Howard, died in a fish tragedy October 3, 1954. In August of 1969 Mary and children moved to Salt Lake City where the children have married and are in homes of their own." Mary as of 1984 lives alone but is relatively near her two sisters, Arvilla and Lanore who, likewise, reside in Salt Lake City.
LANORE WILKES: "Lanore married Narvel J. Scherzinger August 20, 1937. She worked as a telephone operator. Narvel was from Louisville, Kentucky and came west with the C C C groups during the Depression of the Thirties. They lived in Louisville for the first ten years of their married life. Narvel was later employed by the C.I. Dearing Publishing Co. He joined the Church in 1943. In 1947 they moved to Salt Lake City where Narvel worked for the Salt Lake Tribune. They had ten children and raised nine of them. The eldest child, a girl, died in infancy.
"Lanore has served as a counselor in the Relief Society, Primary, and Young Women's presidencies. Narvel has been a counselor in a bishopric, a bishop, a counselor in a stake presidency, and president of the Liberty Stake since September of 1975 which position he still holds late in 1984. Their five daughters and four sons are married and live in the Salt Lake Valley."
Front: Uncle Ed and the family's youngest, Murray. Standing, left to right:
Arvilla, Mary and Lanore.Picture probably taken about mid 1930s.
MURRAY WILKES: "Murray married Lucy Barrus August 25, 1937, in the Salt Lake temple. They have lived in Star Valley all their lives except for one winter when Murray worked on the oil rigs in eastern Wyoming.
"Murray's occupations have been a farmer, oil field worker, clerk, truck driver, carpenter, and he was employed for 32 years by the Department of Agriculture with his office in Afton. He has held many Church positions. He was a counselor in a bishopric and is currently (1984) in the high council of their stake. Lucy has been full-time mother and homemaker and has also held many positions in the Church, one of them being a counselor in the Relief Society presidency.
"Murray and Lucy had four children, two sons and two daughters. Their second son, Dennis, was driving a truck for Caribou Oil Co. And lost his life in a tragic truck accident February 2, 1981.
He was married but had no children of their own, however, he and his wife, Mildred, adopted a little girl baby who was born just a little over six weeks prior to Dennis' accident. How that little girl would have loved her adopted father!
"Murray's and Lucy's eldest son, Robert and daughter, Annettte are married with six and three children respectively and their youngest daughter, Carolyn is, 1984, a student at Utah State University in Logan."
This writer is going to take the liberty for a comment. I recognize, perhaps as much as anyone, that the intent of this family history is to deal with the older generations of the family only with but a page or two dealing with the history of the children of Grandpa and Grandma John and Martha Wilkes and a paragraph or two only of their grandchildren for the purpose only of revealing to all of the younger generations the general direction in life the grandchildren headed.
During the overall review there shall be two or three exceptions for which there hopefully will not be an overly amount of criticism in these instances where unusual achievement comes to light in the next descending generation. Such a distinction has been achieved by Murray's and Lucy's on, Robert M. And to whom attention may be directed to the fact that for a number of years he has served as a professor of Religion at Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho. He - in 1984 - is serving as a stake president and has the distinction the last few years of being one of the traveling lecturers of the well-known program in the church of 'Know Your Religion". He has been the lecturer on two or three occasions in our area and did an excellent job each time.
With parent I have had,
When He gave me a mother as kind and true,
And the Choice of His kingdom for a dad.
I find it not hard to give kind praise,
For a man as righteous, so sweet and true,
I can step right up and look straight ahead,
And Plainly tell the truth.
God picked my dad from all the world,
And put him to the test,
I'm glad that He had such good choice,
he chose for me the very best.
Through all Dad's life his precious soul,
And tender heart has sought God's goal,
His kindly deed and unselfish acts,
Has brought all who have known him many rich blessings ten fold.
He's not a man of worldly weath,
With silver and gold to line his hand,
But far richer is he in the life he has lived,
His castle in heaven I'm sure will be grand.
I wish that God would be so kind,
To help us find the way,
To have him come and stay with us,
And help him day by day.
My Dad's the man our boys should know,
And be with all the time,
To mold their lives and fill their hearts,
And make their spirits shine.
My Dad's the man I'd like them to be,
So honest, so good, so straight and true,
My dad's pure gold, there are no flaws,
He's all God's teachings through and through.
My heart's so filled with thoughtfulness,
For having such a dad;
A man whose life is so full of good,
There was no room for bad.
If I had my life to live again,
And see things as I do today,
I'd do my best to have folk say,
I had stepped in his steps all the way.
God bless my dad through all his life,
And watch him while I pray
That we may not lose sight of him,
And wander off or stray.
And if by chance they ask you, God
Which is the way to Thee,
Just tell them, God, to follow him,
Forever safe they'll be.
Arvilla, Mary and Howard Wilkes. Picture taken about December 1912