Show i Byron Colton Honored j On His Birthday t Byron 0 O. O Colton celebrated hi his DOth birthday Tuesday He lie was honored by a family dinner at the home of a dau daughter Grace Derrell Berrett of Granger It was at at- fended by most of his children H HE E WAS born In Provo to Byron Dyron Oil Oil- Ver vcr and Sarah Marta Maria Smith Colton Calton The family moved to Vernal when he was about three He lie has lived In the Basin since that time lime lie He attended school in Vernal and graduated from the Brigham Young University with the first class lass ever to graduate there were six members He lie majored in civil engineering engi engl and received his BS DS degree Mr Colton Collon married Helen Merkley daughter of Nelson and Katurah Peterson Peter son Merkley They had nine children seven of whom arc are still living They are Lula Dudley Randlett Merrill B. B Salt Lake City Margaret Wyler Fairfield California Elmo S. S Sal Salem m Oregon Miles M. M Pleasant Grove Sarah Neilson Neil Nell son Mona and Grace Derrett Berrett Granger HIS INTERESTS and accomplishments were many He lie was a school board member member mem memo ber for many y years and an active member member memo mem mem- ber of the Church Mr Colton was one of the first bishops of Maeser Ward and was president of the Roosevelt Stake for 19 years He Ile is presently the Stake Patriarch of the Roosevelt Stake In August 1905 he began ah an irrigation irrigation tion Lion development which was one conn contribution con in th the Uintah Basin Dasin He lie also helped survey several in the basin Irrigation development was Ms his main interest although he did other i. i types of development work lie helped many irrigation companies with several of the local canals and reservoirs t MR COLTON also served as water commissioner of the Uintah and Lake- Lake fork Rivers and served on the Utah Water and Power Board Doard He lie retired from these positions when he was was' 80 He lie Is presently writing a a history of his life if in the Uintah Basin |