Van Orden

by

Early History of the Settlement of Lewiston

My grandfather, Wilburn Norwood Jonas, was born in Lewiston, Cache County, Utah on 15 May 1924. His great grandparents, Stephen and Hannah Coley are buried in Lewiston. When I stumbled on this short history, I thought I would share it. This history was compiled by M. R. Hovey for the Logan Chamber of Commerce in 1923, a year before Grandpa was born.

James and Aliza Ross at the grave of Hannah and Stephen Coley – 14 August 2026 – their fourth great grandparents

“After Richmond was settled in 1859, Franklin in 1860, and Clarkston in 1864, “All the most desirable locations on the streams in Richmond and in the other settlements of the Valley, had been taken. Naturally (the new settlers) were forced to take lands in the center of the Valley and get their irrigation water wherever they could. This was difficult to do.”

“In July 1870, a scouting party went out to locate some new lands for settlers. They searched the north end of Cache Valley from Oxford to Mink Creek. (When) “the scouting party returned (it was) decided that the ‘Flat’ where Lewiston is located, was the best place to locate..”

“Used by early Richmond settlers as a herding ground, “It was covered with buffalo and bluegrass. It had also been used in the past by the Indians as a place for their pow-wows, where they had horse races and other games. As there were no trees or vegetation the sand drifted considerably.”

“Houses were built of logs and lumber. Some made dugouts. The community grew. Among the first group of settlers were the families of P. N. Van Orden, Sr., Everett Van Orden, Robert Wall and John M. Bernhisel, Jr.” (When) “the townsite was staked out, it was decided to (make the blocks) a mile square. At first the settlement was called Cub Hill.”

“In 1872, William H. Lewis was sustained as the (LDS Branch’s) presiding elder and later, the bishop. The settlement was named “Lewiston” after Bishop William H. Lewis.

Bio of William H. Lewis

“William H. Lewis married Martha Petty in November of 1856. In 1858 his wagons left Fort Harrison, Utah, to settle in Cache Valley. The Lewises arrived in Richmond October 31, 1859, building a small cabin in an area known as “Poverty Flats.” In 1873 Brother Lewis was called as Presiding Elder of the fledgling Lewiston Branch at Poverty Flat. “After serving for a year, Lewis approached the Richmond Bishop, M.W. Merrill, asking to be released from the calling. He stated ‘he would not trade his small farm in Richmond for the whole of Lewiston.'”

“”Bishop Merrill informed him that it was the Lord that had called him to that position and he would not be a partner in releasing him. The bishop advised William to go back to Lewiston and the Lord would bless him on this land that looked so barren. He also told Brother Lewis that Brigham Young had said that Lewiston would be the granary of the valley and that the potential possibilities of that wasteland were many and great.” Staying in Lewiston, Lewis eventually became one of the wealthiest farmers in the area.

“After serving as Presiding Elder over the branch for five years, Lewis was named the Lewiston Ward’s first bishop. After serving for seven years, he was named Stake President of Benson Stake. The town was eventually named ‘Lewiston,’ after William H. Lewis.

“”In the beginning the little settlement had some serious handicaps. They had no irrigation water, no trees and very little vegetation. The sand drifted badly in places. The winters were severe and bad frosts were common. The drought brought many crickets, grasshoppers and other pests. The winter of 1871-1872 was very cold and severe. In November 1871, two feet of snow fell and it did not leave until April of the next year. At certain times during the winters the fences were covered with snow and the settlers traveled over the tops of the fences with their sleighs. During the summer time there were hot, dry winds, and killing frosts. For three successive years the grain was frozen in July. The settlement was referred to as ‘Poverty Flat,’ ‘Starvation Corner’ and ‘The Last Chance.'”

“When Church President Brigham Young visited Richmond, “the discouraged settlers reported these unfavorable conditions… the settlers (were advised) to return to their homes promising them that Lewiston should yet become one of the garden spots of Cache Valley & the Territory.”

“If the settlers were to remain they had to have irrigation water. “(Since) Bear River to the west was too low to take out a canal and bring it upon the flat…In 1873 a small irrigation ditch northeast of Lewiston was built from Worm Creek…In 1874 a site for a canal was located on Cub River in the Cub River Basin.” Though a tremendous undertaking… it saved the settlement. For drinking water, wells were used.” In later years, “a large irrigation company was formed and a pumping plant and its diversions was established on the Bear River.”

“Lewiston has continued to grow and is considered one of the best farming communities in the state. The promise made years ago by President Brigham Young, ‘that someday Lewiston would become one of the garden spots of the Valley and the Territory, has verily been fulfilled. In 1904, the town was incorporated by Brigham Pond, Lewiston’s first mayor.

Compiled by M. R. Hovey, Secretary, Logan Chamber of Commerce. January 1, 1923 to January 1, 1925. Also as printed in the Logan Journal, beginning August 4, 1923.

34 – 2024-2025 Discover North Cache • DiscoverAreaGuides.com Outdoor Recreation.” Thanks to Jack Johnson for the compiling of these DiscoverAreaGuides.

See More Historical Articles on www.discoverareaguides.com/blog

by

George and Caroline Coley

Since I just finished writing about Theophilus and Martha France, I thought I would write about the other sibling whose photo also appeared in the collection mentioned.  As I wrote about before, I was able to scan a stash of photos that belonged to my Great Grandmother, whose father, Herbert Coley, was a brother to George and Martha.  I have yet to write his history.

I have never been able to track down members of the family of George and Caroline, although plenty of people have told me where to find them.  Each lead has come up short.  Like other photos, I will write what I know and hope someone may come to me.

George Harry Coley was born 16 Apr 1868 in Lutley, Worcestershire, England to Stephen and Hannah Maria Rogers Coley.  As I will write about later, there the family joined the LDS church, George joined 22 August 1881.  The family immigrated in 1890 to Zion and settled in Lewiston, Cache, Utah.

George, who went by Harry, had not been in Utah long when he met Caroline Wilson.  She was born 11 February 1871 in Bishop Auckland, Durham, England.

George and Caroline were married in LDS Temple in Logan, Cache, Utah on 23 November 1892.  To their marriage were born 12 children.

Myrtle Coley born 8 September 1893 and died 20 September 1894, both in Lewiston.

Wallace W Coley born 28 August 1894 in Franklin, Franklin, Idaho and died 21 June 1895 in Lewiston.

Melvin Harris Coley born 16 September 1895 in Lewiston and died 25 November 1940 in Rupert, Minidoka, Idaho.  He married Orlean Dopp.

Lucilla Coley born 17 Dec 1897 and died 4 May 1993, both in Lewiston.  She married Cethel Jay Van Orden.

Rosella Coley born 24 January 1899 in Lewiston and died 3 August 1971 in Nampa, Canyon, Idaho.  She married Lloyd Rawlins Hogan and Milton Rawlins.

Lloyd Goldsbrough Coley born 30 Mar 1900 in Lewiston and died 15 February 1965 in Pocatello, Bannock, Idaho.  He married Verna Dorothy Shipley and Opal Jenkins.

Gretta Coley born 1 August 1901 in Lewiston and died 15 April 1990 in Shasta County, California.  She married Stanley Alexander Picot.

Edith Coley born 25 September 1902 in Lewiston and died 19 December 1954.  I do not know where she died.  She married Golden Keith Cunningham (who lived to 100).

Stewart Leroy Coley born 30 January 1904 and died 28 December 1982 in Lewiston.  He married Lola Margaret Richardson.

Ethel May Coley born 12 May 1905 in Lewiston and died 15 November 1987 in Calaveras County, California.  She married Harry Fisher Croshaw.

Thelma Coley born 30 June 1909 and died 16 May 1912, both in Lewiston.

Keith Coley born 2 April 1913 in Lewiston and died 24 November 1961.  I do not know where he died or if he married.

George Harry died 16 April 1933 in Lewiston at 65 years old.  Caroline died 22 July 1958 in Lewiston at 87.  Many of the family are buried in the Lewiston Cemetery.