Early Life and Family Background
Pauline Edith Mentzer was born 28 March 1896 in Woodson County, Kansas, the daughter of Charles Oliver Mentzer and Nettie Adell (Wells) Mentzer. She grew up surrounded by extended Mentzer and Wells family connections in Woodson and neighboring Coffey County, Kansas. Her childhood years are well documented through census records showing the family living in rural townships where farming and small-community life shaped her early experiences. ughter of Charles and Nettie Mentzer, with an older sister Gladys, a twin brother, Paul, and two younger brothers, Leslie and Herbert. The Mentzer siblings appear frequently together in newspaper items—visiting relatives, attending school events, and helping one another through illnesses—reflecting a warm family dynamic. These early bonds remained strong throughout their lives, showing up again and again in Pauline’s later visits, gatherings, and shared family milestones.
Childhood & Schooling
By 1900, four-year-old Pauline was living with her parents in North Township, Woodson County. In 1905, the family was enumerated in Neosho Falls, and by 1910 they had moved to Liberty Township, Coffey County. These moves reflect the mobility that was common for Kansas farming families seeking better land, employment, or rental opportunities.
In January 1911, Pauline suffered a broken leg and received medical treatment in Kyle, Kansas—an event noted in the Burlington paper, and likely a memorable episode for the entire family. Despite the setback, she continued her schooling and successfully completed the Common School Course of Study on 31 May 1913, an educational milestone for rural Kansas students at the time.
A year later, Pauline was attending high school in Yates Center, showing she was continuing her education beyond the basic rural school curriculum.
Community Life and Young Adulthood
Newspaper snippets provide glimpses into Pauline’s active social life. In 1914–1915, she and her sister Gladys visited their parents frequently, attended gatherings, and participated in events in the Crandall and Rose communities. These details paint a picture of a young woman who was well connected, socially active, and devoted to her family.
In April 1915, she stayed home to help care for her ill mother—an early example of the caregiving role she would assume repeatedly throughout her life.
Marriage to Edward Osmond “E.O.” Briles
On 29 October 1915, Pauline married Edward Osmond Briles in Yates Center, Kansas. Edward, born 21 June 1891 in Burlington, Kansas, was the son of Edward Grant Briles and Frances Artlissa (Ricketts). The marriage announcements published in multiple area newspapers show that their wedding was considered notable within both Woodson and Coffey County communities.
The couple began married life in Iola, later living in Buffalo (Wilson County) and eventually settling long-term in Emporia, Lyon County, Kansas.
Children of Pauline and Edward Briles
Pauline and Edward were the parents of five children:
- Walter Emery Briles
Born 14 Aug 1917; married Leola Fern Baxter, then Fern (Fay) Blair;
died 14 Jul 1982 in Biloxi, Mississippi. - Kenneth Eugene Briles
Born 26 Sep 1918 in Vernon, Kansas;
died 10 Jun 1919 in Kansas City, Missouri;
buried in Coffey County, Kansas. - Letha Marie (Briles) Doolittle
Born 14 Sep 1924 in Iola;
married George Lewis Doolittle in 1944;
died 26 Jun 2012 in California. - Roberta Adell (Briles) Crawford
Born 20 Jun 1930 in Buffalo;
married Eugene David Crawford in 1951;
died 9 Jan 2022 in Lenexa, Kansas. - Barbara Ann (Briles) Thompson
Born 22 Aug 1934 in Emporia;
married Marvin A. Thompson in 1954;
died 3 May 1982 in Manhattan, Kansas.
The death of baby Kenneth in 1919 was a sorrow Pauline carried for life; notes from 1922 describe her and her family decorating his grave on Decoration Day.
Life in Emporia and Community Involvement
The Briles family moved to Emporia by the 1930s, where they became deeply rooted over the decades. Pauline’s life in Emporia is richly documented through city directories, newspaper items, and club memberships.
She joined the Christian Church in Emporia on 4 March 1934, beginning a lifelong association with church organizations. In the 1940s–1960s, she was active in the East Sixth Avenue Club, the Whittier Unit, and the Harmony Builders Class. Her name appears frequently in the Emporia Gazette as she hosted guests, attended social events, or took part in club activities.
She also participated in or assisted with her family’s business interests. The Briles family operated the Strand Theater in Emporia, and Pauline is mentioned in connection with its operations, eventual closure, and equipment sale in the 1950s.
In later years—after her children were grown—Pauline worked occasionally as a babysitter, lending a helpful hand to local families, including the Mellingers.
Later Life and Family Connections
Even into her 60s and 70s, Pauline remained actively involved with her children and grandchildren. Newspaper items describe her visits to Dodge City, Manhattan, San Bernardino, and other places where her family lived. She attended picnics, birthdays, and reunions—notably a Briles family reunion in 1974.
Pauline was widowed when Edward Osmond Briles died on 28 May 1956. She continued living in Emporia for nearly three more decades, moving several times but always staying connected to family and church.
Death and Burial
Pauline Edith (Mentzer) Briles died on 16 July 1984 in Emporia at age 88. She was buried beside her husband at Memorial Lawn Cemetery in Emporia, Kansas. Her long life spanned eras of tremendous change—from horse-and-wagon Kansas farms to airplanes, automobiles, and space exploration—but through it all, she remained a constant pillar of family, community, and faith.