The following life sketch of Sarah Leola (Lola) Wilkes Holbrook was written by her in December of 1955. Aunt Lola was the 7th of her parent's children - three brothers and three sisters ahead of her. She passed away 27 Oct 1964.

My Life Story

"My father, John Wilkes was born 3 Oct 1852, Tewkesbury, England. When a small boy, crossed the plains with the handcart companies. Settled in Salt Lake City. Some years later pioneered in Idaho, settling in St. Charles. My mother, Martha Elizabeth Hunt was born in Salt Lake City, Utah and later pioneered with her parents to St. Charles, Idaho where they were married 20 October 1873. They lived in St. Charles about 10 years and about 1883 they moved to Star Valley, Wyoming, again pioneering where, at that time, there were only three or four families. This part of Star Valley, in and around afton, had been a hunting ground for the Indians and a lot of game would come into our yards. The winters were very severe. On account of sickness and hard luck they returned to St. Charles but after a year or so they went back to Afton in about 1885 where they remained. By this time there were several families. They all helped each other build themselves a log house which had dirt roof and dirt floor. Most of the families settled along a creek they had named Swift Creek. That is where I, Sarah Leola Wilkes, on the 1st day of January 1890, was born in a very humble home. There was no doctor so we trusted in our Heavenly Father for help in times of need. I had six brothers and sisters older than I. They, of course, knew of many hardships. My father operated the first store in Afton. It was owned by W.W. Burton. This store in the beginning was in one room of a dirt roofed home along Swift Creek, later it was moved to a log store building on main street in Afton. Sometime later my parents built about a nine room frame home on main street just across the street from the store. Years later we operated the Cottage Hotel in Afton.

As a child I think I had every child's disease there was. I just seemed to catch anything that came around. In about 1898 everyone had the black measles. This is the worst winter I can remember. Some of the families lost two or three of their loved ones within a few weeks. By that time we did have a doctor in the Valley.

I was very happy in my home. We were taught to love one another and to love our neighbors, and especially to love and respect older people. I took part in many of the Primary and m.I.A. entertainments. I had many girl friends, at this time however, there were two, Ruby Leavitt and Martha Hill that were nearer to me than the rest.

In my home I was taught to pray which has been a comfort throughout my life. I was taught to sew, do housework, and we took turns doing dishes and scrubbing the floors.

My first school days were in a small one room school house, but everyone was happy. There was no class distinction for we were all on an equal and no one had more than the other.

I graduated from the eighth grade about 1904. At this time I went to work in the Burton Merc. For a few years I taught a Sunday School in Afton. I loved to dance. Our parents were always glad to have us bring our friends home. We had candy-pulls and did a lot of group singing and playing the organ. I had a few boy friends but none seemed right until one day Mother and I were walking to my sisters about a half of a mile out of town. We met a herd of cattle that Joe, my husband, was taking to Montpelier, Idaho to ship to Omaha, Nebraska. The cattle were afraid of Mother and me and we were afraid of the cattle. We didn't know which would stampede, us or the cattle. Joe, seeing we were afraid, rode between us and the cattle. That was in the fall of 1905. It wasn't long after this that we met a few times at dances and were seeing each other quite often. The winter of 1906 and the summer of 1907 Joe worked at a brickyard at Bountiful, Utah, coming back to Star Valley in the fall of 1907 when he bought our first home in Auburn, Wyoming.

I, Sarah Leola Wiles and Joseph Lamoni Holbrook were married the 18th day of December 1907. We made our first home in Auburn where Joe was interested in cattle and milking cows. I will always remember our first home. We wee so happy. Joe never went any place without me. He always arranged his work so he could be home before dark every night. He never tired telling me how much he loved me and the important part I was playing in his life. He always said his home was his heaven. We hadn't lived in Auburn long when I was asked to work in the Primary as a counselor to Sister Leah Walton. I did enjoy this very much. I loved everyone so much that I worked with. After working several years in the Primary, I was called to be a counselor in the Relief Society. Sister Amelia Hillyard was the President. This office I still held when we came to Marysville, Idaho on the 18th of October 1926 where we bought the general store which became known as the Holbrook Merc. I never will forget the kindness the people of the ward showed us. It was almost like we had just been away and returned. There were many that we felt we had always know.

I again worked as counselor in the Primary. Sister Mamie Hillam was president and later served as president and again as district teacher in the Relief Society. I served as postmistress at Marysville, Idaho from 9th of February 1927 to October 1943.

We were blessed with six children, William Thede, Glen Wilkes, Dortha, Blane Wilkes, Beth and Helen. I look back now to the happiness that each one brought to our home and the castles we built for them. They all took part in the ward and school activities.

Blane left for the service of his country in January 13, 1942 returning in 1945. Thede was called to serve April 21, 1942 and returned in 1945. This was the first experience we had of having any of our children away. They hadn't been gone long until their father failed in health and had his first heart attack. On the 9th of July 1943 fire destroyed our home and store building and on that day we came to Ashton, Idaho where the people in Ashton and Marysville did so much to help make it possible for us to own the home we now live in. Through prayer we were comforted very much and with the help of the Lord we had health to carry on.

I received my patriarchal blessing from Thomas Walton in Afton, Wyoming on the 27th of September 1924 which has been a great comfort to me throughout the years. We felt that we had been very fortunate that the family was all together agin after Thede and Blane came home from the service. On the 6th of May 1949 we were called to part with our grandson, Darwin Eugene Holbrook. On the 29th of December 1949, Joe, my husband, and our Dad, was called Home. This seemed the hardest thing I had ever gone through. I was very thankful for the Gospel and its many comforts during our sorrow. My testimony was strengthened in so many ways. Altho it was so very lonely, I am still thankful for many sacred memories of our married life. On the 28th day of April 1953 tragedy came to our home again. Clara Marie Murdock Holbrook Blane's wife, passed away very suddenly in Idaho Falls. I was glad to know Blane wanted to bring he home where she was buried in the Pineview Cemetery.

I wish to acknowledge the hand of the Lord in all things. I know that my Redeemer lives and am thankful I was born of goodly parents when the gospel was again restored to the earth in its fulness and as I am getting older, I hope I will be able to go to the temples of the Lord and do work for those who are waiting in the spirit world and to understand genealogy work. I am thankful for my block-teacher, Juanita Osborn. This is December 1955.

Aunt Lola lived another nearly six years. At her funeral service her granddaughter, Linda Holbrook, read the above life sketch and added, "This is as far as Grandma had written on her life, but most of you know what she has done in the past ten years and that her wish to do temple work was fulfilled in these last years."

William Thede Holbrook was born April 14, 1909 in Afton, Wyoming and until 1926 he was with his parents at the family ranch in Auburn.

In 1926 they moved to Marysville, Idaho where he worked for the area farmers and then he worked in the local grocery store until he enlisted in the army. He was in the South Pacific for the duration of the war. He returned home and back to the store where he continued working until his retirement. Even then he worked part time.

He did a lot of work with the A A and helped a lot of less fortunate people than he was. On December 25th, 1978 he was found died in the home he had spent much of his life in. Thede never married.

Glen Wilkes Holbrook was born November 17, 1913 and spent his boyhood on the family ranch in Auburn. In 1926 he moved with his family to Marysville where he attended school and in his early years did some work for farmers and sheepmen.

On April 29, 1936 he brought home a bride, Verda Weaver. To this union two children were born - a boy and a girl, Darwin and Linda. Darwin died when he was twelve years of age.

Glen then worked for the railroad for over 30 years as a section hand and foreman. He retired due to health reasons. On August 7th, 1975 he and his wife were in an automobile accident and Verda was killed. Nine months later, on May 16th, 1976, Glen succumbed to cancer. He was survived by his daughter, Linda who had married Eugene Firkins of Rupert, Idaho and their three grandchildren.

Dortha Holbrook: "I was born in Afton, Wyo., September 23, 1915. Baptized by Adolf Jensen, 3rd Nov. 1923. Confirmed by Charles Moser, 4th Nov. 1923. In 1926 we moved to Marysville, Idaho. In 1935 I married Harry Hainsworth and to our union two children were born, Kenneth and Gary Hainsworth.

"In 1943 Harry and I were divorced. In 1945 I moved to Idaho falls and went to work at Jack's Chicken Inn, a supper club and I worked in that same place for 20 years as Hostess and Supervisor.

"I married Sy Baker September 14th 1963. He passed away on June 5th 1974. At the present time (1984) I am working as Supervisor and Catering Manager at the Westbank Coffee Shop and Lounge at the age of 69."

Blane Holbook: "I was born 4 December 1919 at Afton, Lincoln County, Wyoming, the fourth child of Sarah Leola Wilkes and Joseph Lamoni Holbrook.

"I lived in a log house by Salt River located between Auburn and Grover. While living there I started school but my family moved to Marysville, Idaho in September 1926 so I finished my elementary education in Marysville and then went to Ashton High where I graduated with the Class of 1938.

"I worked in Ashton until November 1941 when I was called into the Army. I spent a short time in the United States and then went overseas where I served in England, North Africa and Italy. I returned to the States 15 April 1945. I was given a 45 days leave and spent it with my family in Ashton then went to Santa Ana, California until 15 July when I was sent to Hill Field, Utah until my release in September.

"On 9 September 1945 I married Clara Marie Murdoch. We lived in Ashton until January 1950 when we moved to Idaho Falls. In July 1952 I went to work for the Atomic Energy and worked there until the end of January 1982 when I retired because of health problems.

"Clara died suddenly 27th April 1953. This was a terrible loss for me. I tried living alone for a while but then moved in with my sister, Beth and her husband, Vaughn Murdoch.

"On 15 September 1954 I married Hazel Elizabeth Stanger Mickelsen. She had two children by a previous marriage, Martha Kaye Mickelsen, now Mrs. Brent Tueller, and Gregory Mickelsen married to the former Peggy Newberry. We went to the Idaho Falls Temple 6 June 1958 and had Martha Kaye and Gregory sealed to us.

"Hazel and I have lived in Idaho Falls since our marriage and I have been active in the Church. I was financial clerk for nine years and high priest quorum secretary six years in the Idaho Falls 12th ward.

"We now have nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren."

Beth Holbrook: "I was born September 26, 1926 in Auburn, Wyoming and when I was a month old the family moved to Marysville, Idaho where I spent my growing-up years and attended school.

"On August 26, 1945 I married Vaughn Murdock and have since resided in Idaho Falls. For 34 years I was a cashier and bookkeeper and in 1982 retired to spend my time with my husband who retired a year previous.

"We have done some traveling and spend our summers in Idaho Falls area."

Helen Holbrook: "I was born June 27th 1933 in St. Anthony, Idaho and lived in Marysville, Idaho until I was about 12 years of age then we moved into Aston. Have lived in this are all my life.

"I graduated from high school in 1952 and married John Nield Hibbert, Jr., August 19, 1953 in the Idaho Falls Temple. Have one daughter, Barbara Ann, born March 2, 1958 at Ashton.

"I took L.P.N. training at Ashton Memorial Hospital, graduating in 1953 and worked there for about six years. I have also worked in the drug store through the years on part time basis.

"I have been a Sunday School teacher; Primary teacher; a set apart Stake missionary September 23, 1954; second counselor to Relief Society; Sunday School secretary; and am a Relief Society teacher at present time.

"My husband, Nield, passed away November 4th 1973. I again married, this time, Thomas LaVere Chamberlain on October 5, 1978 in Ashton, Idaho. He is a building contractor. We are living in Marysville just one block from where I grew up."

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