Progress is being made on the Pioneer Brand book. I thought a sample entry beginning with my own family and that of the brand of Lola L. Tanner that appears on the wall of that local institution.  My grandmother Tanner would have had a royal fit, if she knew about it, she being a tee-toler.

Lola, was the eldest child and only daughter of Ed and Mary Murrer. Born 11 September 1899 at the family ranch in Willow Creek Valley, she had her first dream dashed in a hurry. In 1924, a debonair ranch hand Jim Scott, came a courting Lola. It was a whirlwind romance and they were married the following year. Only after a few months of matrimony, Scott forged his father-in-law’s name on a bank note for $500 and skipped town. He did not get far, and was arrested in Reno, Nevada. The marriage was annulled, and Scott repaid the money. However, this was his modus operandi for decades to come.

In 1927, Lola married Honey Lake Valley native, John Tanner. Like, Lola, his initial dreams were dashed early when his father, William, died in 1890, when John was only seven years old. His mother Jane, remarried to Charles Adams, an abusive type, so John along with brothers, William and Charley sought refuge with the Ravenscroft family and later at the Gibson Ranch. It should be noted that John’s father, William, had settled at Soldier Bridge in 1870 and registered his brand as the 20. That brand would be modified to the 30.

John and Lola made their first home near Standish, that John and his brother, William had established in 1915. In 1928, an opportunity arose where the Capezolli’s desired to trade their ranch with Tanners, and a deal was struck. Over the years, the Tanner’s expanded and bought the adjoining Hartson, Stamplfi and Whitehead ranches. While John and Lola have passed away many years ago, their three daughters: Joyce Cunha, Mary Rea and Ardene Purdy still own the ranch.

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