In honor of many generations of family members who attended the Oneida Stake Academy, Stokes Market has committed $100,000 towards the building’s restoration. When complete, it will be a cultural center and museum of local history for the people of Preston and Franklin County. “It’s a jewel.
It’s like you go mining and you find that gem in the dirt and polish it up,” said Larry Stokes, owner of Stokes Market. Although he grew up elsewhere, Larry’s roots run deep in Franklin County as a descendant of Parkinsons, Packers, Becksteads, Stokes, Smiths and Cowleys who helped to build this community. Larry came to Preston over 50 years ago as a new dentist, taking over the practice of Dr.
L. V. Merrill.
Since then, his son Derek has followed in his footsteps, and they have discovered another local dentist in the family. Their great-uncle Samuel Packer attended the Oneida Stake Academy with his siblings, loved playing on the school’s basketball team and graduated in 1913. He practiced dentistry in Preston from 1916 through the 1940s.
He was also a charter member of the Preston Chamber of Commerce, a past president of the Rotary Club, a member of the Preston City Council for six years, a member of the Boots and Saddle club, and a Red Cross worker. Sam’s sister, Edna, was a member of the Aurora Girls Chorus at the Oneida Stake Academy, from 1913-1914. She married Henry Stokes, who had been born in Franklin, Idaho, and they became Larry’s grandparents.
Henry got into t.