2.4.3.2.4 Edward Stanley Hobbs

[Last amended: July 18, 2003]

[Thanks to Merle Hobbs Casper for her input into this page]

Edward Stanley Hobbs was the fourth child born to Joseph Overton Hobbs and Catherine Malone Devlin. He was born on April 14, 1888 in Salt Lake City, Utah, moving to a home and farm located on the north side of 5600 South at about 1350 East in South Cottonwood about two weeks later. He spent his early life in this area. When Edward was born the family already consisted of two sisters, Katie and Elsie and two half siblings, George and Emeline Walters, Catherine Devlin's children by a previous marriage. Another brother, Arthur was born two years later.

Edward attended school at what was known as the 26th District or Woodstock School, located on the west side of 1300 East near the corner of Vine Street. He enjoyed the farm, the orchard, the fish ponds and the animals they had on their property.

When Edward was eight years of age, his older brother George Walters died tragically. He felt very sad about this event.

When Edward, who had become known as "Ed", was about sixteen he started working for Frank C. Howe at the Elgin dairy at the intersection of Vine Street and 5600 South. Mr. Howe also operated the Murray Coal and Lumber Co. at the corner of Vine and State Street. When Ed was eighteen Mr. Howe hired him to work at the lumber company. He worked there for the next twenty years and learned the lumber business from the ground up.

Irene McHenry was born in Salt Lake City on the 24 of November, 1889 to James Wilson and Katie Barrett McHenry. She was born at the L.D.S. Emigration House where her mother served as hostess and her father worked in the Tithing Yard. She attended school in Salt Lake City until the family moved to a farm in South Cottonwood in about 1899. The McHenry farm was located on the north side of Vine Street just east of 1300 East. Irene then attended the nearby Woodstock School, where she first met Edward Hobbs. After graduating from the eighth grade she attended L.D.S. Business College and graduated from a business course. After graduating, she started working for Consolidated Wagon and Machine Co. in Murray, then at Madsen's Store, and ended up at Murray Coal and Lumber Co., where Ed worked.

Since they both lived in South Cottonwood Irene arranged to ride with Ed to and from work. At first he let her off at the corner and she walked home from there but soon a romance began between them and he started taking her all the way home. They were married November 23, 1910 in Salt Lake City. He was 22 and she was 20.

Edward and Irene

Ed's parents had built a new home next to their old one in South Cottonwood, so Ed and Irene moved into the old house. They lived there only a few weeks when Mr. Howe asked if they would like to rent a house he owned at 131 East Vine right next to the lumber yard. Mr. Howe really wanted them to have this house as he wanted Ed to care for the horses used in delivering products to their customers. Ed and Irene decided to accept his offer and moved there. They were happy with their new residence. While living there two daughters were born to them, Erva on June 11, 1911 and Merle on September 29, 1913. The girls attended Arlington School and Murray High School, participated in many activities there and graduated from that institution.

The 1920 US census recorded Edward and Irene living in Murray City, Salt Lake Co, Utah. Edward was 31 and a yardman at a timberyard. Also listed were their daughters Erva (8) and Merle (6). All members of the family had been born in Utah.

In 1921 Ed and Irene decided to build a home of their own and purchased a lot at 487 East Vine Street from William Benbow Erekson. They hired a local contractor of good reputation, Luke Morris, to construct a house. They moved into their new home in the spring of 1922. The photo to the left was taken of their house c.1922

In about 1926 Mr. Howe changed from the lumber business to the automobile business. Ed did not like selling cars as much as he had enjoyed selling lumber. In 1927 the Associated Lumber Co. built an office and lumber yard at 4975 South State Street and offered Ed the opportunity to be the manager. He accepted the position. In 1928 the Associated Lumber Co. was bought by the Home Lumber Co., and in 1929 the Home Lumber was bought by the Anderson Lumber Co. Each time Ed was retained as manager. Ed needed help with office work and bookkeeping, so Irene started helping him and the company hired her as a regular employee. The two of them worked together at Anderson Lumber for the rest of their careers, retiring in 1955. They were well-known throughout the community for their fair and honest dealings, their courteous and friendly manner and their efficient and dependable service. When they retired the Anderson Lumber company replaced the yard with a new one on Redwood Road in Taylorsville and the office building and sheds were tom down. The Murray Post Office now stands in their place.

Irene and Ed Hobbs in the office of Anderson Lumber at 4975 South State Street. May 1931

In 1930, the family was living in Vine Street, Murray, Salt Lake Co, Utah. Edward, 41, was the manager of a lumber company while Irene was a book keeper, also for a lumber company. Their daughters were both still at school.

While in business Ed was active for a time in the Eagles Lodge and in the Lion's Club. He enjoyed horseback riding and was a member of the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Posse. He often rode in parades representing that group. Irene was an active member of the Murray Women's Club serving as both recording and corresponding secretary and on the membership committee. She was also a charter member of the Murray Chapter of the Business and Professional Women's Club. She belonged to this organization for thirty years and acted as its treasurer for most of that time. She was a skilled bookkeeper and kept neat and accurate records. The club changed the other officers every two years but always requested that she remain as treasurer.

Ed's hobby was gardening, especially raising flowers. In the spring the area west of his house was a mass of pink and white peonies. Later in the year it was filled with zinnias. At one time an article appeared in the Murray Eagle about his flowers in which they gave him the title of the Zinnia King and from then on many people referred to him in that way.

Irene died on December 26, 1975 in Murray, UT. She is buried in the Murray City Cemetery.

Edward died on March 2, 1978, at Murray, Salt Lake County, Utah. He was buried in the Murray City Cemetery alongside his wife on March 6.

Edward and Irene had two children:

Merle, Irene, Erva and Edward Hobbs

[Photos courtesy of Melba Hobbs and Merle Hobbs Casper]