FOLK, JAMES AND RUBY (YOUNKIN)

Theodore Folk served in the Spanish American War in Cuba, as a member of Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders. He ran a grocery store in Okla. – There he met and married Anna Ruzek of Okla. on July 28, 1900. In 1905 they moved to Nebraska where they homesteaded 27 miles northwest of Mullen. In 1923 they moved to Mullen. For a short time Theodore and Harry Mathews operated a business, which was later called Mathews Chevrolet Company (now Schmok-er Chev. and Olds.) He established the Farmers Elevator Co. around 1925. He was active in the business until retiring in 1949. Theodore and Anna celebrated their 50th anniversary July 28, 1950. Theodore passed away in 1955 and Anna in 1966.

Lewis Folk, the oldest of the Folk children, ranched on the Theodore Folk homestead until 1929. He married Velma Glause in 1925. She was a school teacher and taught at the Prentice School. In the early 30's they moved to Mullen, where Lewis hauled freight for a short time with Otto Pearson. Velma died of child birth with twins in 1931. In 1932 Lewis went in partnership with his dad at the Farmers Elevator Co. He was the first one to introduce butane to the business and later propane. In 1936 he married Inez Carpenter (daughter of George and Gertrude Carpen-ter.) They made their home in Mullen, which is still their present home. They have four children: Lewis Don born in 1938, twins, James and Jacquline, 1940, Marion 1944. Lewis stayed active in the business until his death on July 28, 1972. Lewis Don and Jim now run the business. Inez is currently residing at the Pioneer Nursing Home in Mullen.

James Folk graduated from Mullen High School in 1959. He married Ruby (Younkin) on August 27, 1961 in Valentine, Nebraska. Ruby, (the oldest daughter of George and Rana Younkin,) graduated for U.N.S.A. at Curtis, Nebraska in 1959. They have four children: Terry born 1962, he is a respiratory therapist at Childrens Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska. Shane, was born

1964, and is employed by the Farmers Elevator Company in Mullen. Mendy, was born 1970 and is a Junior at Mullen High School. Lori, 1971 is a Freshman at Mullen High School.

Jim and Ruby lived in Valentine, Nebraska for a year, where Jim was employed by Reese Skelgas. In 1962 they moved to North Platte, Nebraska where Jim worked for Blue Flame Propane. In May of 1964, the family moved to Mullen where Jim associated with his dad in the propane business. The Farmers Eleva-tor is among one of the oldest businesses, 63 years, which has been operated by three generations of Folks. Jim and Shane are now both active in the business.