Lella Ernestine Marler Hoggan was born in Clifton, Idaho on September 21, 1880, to May Lillian Hix Marler and William Norton Marler, Jr. Her grandparents were among the early converts to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who migrated to Utah from the southern American states. Lella was the second child in a family of seven children. She grew up in Idaho, and at age sixteen, was enrolled as a student of the Brigham Young Academy in Provo, Utah. A few years later, she attended LDS University in Salt Lake City. She taught at county schools for six years in Idaho and at Ricks Academy in Rexburg, Idaho, for two years. On October 4, 1905, Lella married James D. Hoggan. A few weeks after their marriage, James left to serve a three-year mission in Holland for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. When he returned, the family lived in Idaho and later in Utah. In 1926, James passed away. Lella's faith was very important to her and guided her life. Throughout her life, Lella wrote essays, stories, and poems. Nearly all of her published work is in Utah magazines such as John T. Miller's Character Builder magazine, Latter-Day Saint church periodicals, and a few school magazines. Her published works include around 25 short stories, 30 articles, and a few biographies and verses. Lella passed away July 4, 1951, in Ogden, Utah.