They Went West: Pennsylvanians in Nevada

They Went West Pennsylvanians in Nevada* T HE area ceded in 1848 to the United States at the end of the Mexi- can War was organized in 1850 as Utah Territory and included the present state of Nevada. The discovery in 1859 of the Comstock Lode in the vicinity of Virginia City (midway between Reno and Carson City) turned California gold seekers eastward and brought new ones to the west. As a result, the population of the Virginia City area, up to that time numbering about a thousand, was increased tremendously. In 1861 the separate Territory of Nevada was organized, and in 1864 Nevada was admitted to full statehood. During these early years the frantic search for silver and gold brought hundreds who came "with barely means sufficient to defray their expenses to the diggings, in the confident belief that they would immediately strike upon 'something rich,' or, if they failed in that, they could work a while on wages. . . . The mass of the emigration were strangers to each other, and it concerned nobody in particular when a man 'pegged out,' except to put him in a hole or somewhere out of the way." With only the barest civil government in operation during the territorial years, few or no records were kept in Nevada's old towns. Birth and death records were not kept until 1884. By searching out hidden, abandoned or forgotten cemeteries, scanning old newspapers and mortuary records, Miss Nona Parkin of Reno and her father have endeavored to fill the gaps in the early Nevada records. The following brief extracts referring to former Pennsylvanians in Nevada represent only a fraction of similar items about natives of other states and countries which the Parkins have been collecting for over twenty years. CEMETERY INSCRIPTIONS Gold Hill Cemetery, Gold Hill, Storey Co., Nevada: Hiram Holman, native of Pennsylvania, b. 27 January 1841; d. 14 November 1880. Eliza Holman, b. Meadville, Penna., d. 21 November 1883 in Nevada, aged 64 yrs. Irwin D. Kline, b. 12 October 1833; d. 4 September 1900. Native of Penna. From the CoLlections of Miss Nona Parkin, Reno, Nevada. 1 Richard C. Brown, rd. 188 The Human Side of American History (Boston, 1962), 159. Pennsylvanians in Nevada 189 Harriet E. Kline, b. II December 1835; d. 19 July 1910. Native of Penna. Henry Seltzer, aged 40 yrs., d. 23 September 1867. Native of Penna. Miriam E. Marks, d. 14 October 1918, aged 69 yrs. Native of Philadelphia, Penna. [Wife of Wm. John Marks] J. D. McDonnell, d. 20 November 1877, aged 67 yrs. Amelia McDonnell, w. of J D. McDonnell, d. 8 February 1864, aged 47 yrs. Native of Penna. Hinund S. Wright, b. 28 January 1838; d. 8 July 1872. Native of Scranton, Lucerne Cu, Penna. Charles Brown, aged 53 yrs., d. 14 April 1889. Native of Penna. Josea B. Grosh, Son of Rev. A. B. Grosh, b. 23 August 1826 at Marietta, Penna., d. 2 September 1857 at Gold Canyon, Nevada. Old Hillside Cemetery, Reno, Nevada: Hiram C. Palmer, d. 18 November 1892, aged 58-7-6. Native of Penna. Mater Dolorosa Cemetery, Reno, Nevada: Michael Deeney, born Penna., d. Reno, 16 November 1928, aged about 65 yrs. Cornelius Orr Grades,, b. Penna., 16 November 1869; d. Reno, 21 March 1939. Charles Duffey, b. Penna., 10 July 1868; d. Reno, 30 June 1931. Suzanne Harris, b. Scranton, Penna., 21 September 1893; d. 6 September 1937 in Reno. St. Thomas Catholic Cemetery, Reno, Nevada; ' Willis Gaylord Caffrey, b. 8 January 1862, Bethlehem, Penna., d. Reno, 22 January 1939. James A. Conaghan, b. Penna., d. 15 March 1912 at Reno, aged about 35 yrs. Bridget Gannon, b. Penna. 31 March 1871; d. Reno, 4 August 1931. James J. Gamon [sic], b. Penna. 25 May 1870; d. Packard, Nevada 10 December 1918. Anna Lucey, b. Penna. 18 September 1878; d. Reno 12 November 1920. Elizabeth C. Lucey, b. Penna. 1874; d. Reno 23 April 1924. Knights of Pythias Cemetery, Reno, Nevada:. Mrs. Henry (Elizabeth Ann) Whisler, b. 28 June 1845. Native of Penna., d. 11 September 1909. Henry Y. Whisler, d. 21 June 1902, aged 61-4-27. Native of Indiana. Virginia A. Porteous, b. 31 August 1857, in Philadelphia, Penna. to Edward Murphy (b. in Philadelphia) and Anna Brady (b. m Ireland): d. 12 August 1913. Resident of Reno 18 yrs. Resident of Nevada 28 yrs. Married. Bur. 14 August 1914. Samuel G. Porteous [in some plot], aged 82 yrs. Bur. 17 October 1921. Virginia City, Nevada, Cemetery: a. Peter G. King, aged 45 yrs., 7 July 1887. Native of Penna. Katie King, w. of P. G. King, b. 1836; d. 9 March 1892, aged 65-11-8. o All graves moved in 1963 to Mater Dolorosa Cemetery. Later discoveries of rkh are deposits in different sections of Nevada brought a new influx of minen and smelter workers, the majority of whom belonged to the Catholic Church. The Parkin record is not clears, to whether these banshee, ill Reno or Virginia City. 190 The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine R. C. Ring, Co. E, 2nd Penna. Regiment. Joseph McLellan, d. 7 April 1869, aged 32 yrs. Native of Penna. Heister Chuibberlook Smith,. b. 17 November 1884, Newport, Penna., d. 19 May 1931, Virginia City, Nevada. Cemetery at Empire, Ormsby Co., Nevada: William McAfee, d. 11 July 1868, aged 41 yrs. Native of Penna. Glenbrook Cemetery, Douglas Co., Nevada: James McMahon, b. 25 December 1840, Philadelphia; d. 19 January 1890, Glenbrook, Nevada. Dayton Cemetery, Lyon Co., Nevada: G. P. Wales, b. Gettysburg, Penna., d. 17 September 1863, aged 49 yrs. William B. Duncan, d. 31 March 1902, aged 68 yrs. Native of Penna. Whispering Pines Cemetery, Plumes Co., California: John H. Hopper, aged 57 yrs. Pennsylvania. "Stone erected by members of Hope Lodge #234, F & A M" [no dates]. Sierraville Cemetery, Sierraville, California: Halsey J. Yarrington, 1820-1866. Native of Vermont. Henrietta R. Yarrington, his wife, 1841-1913. Native of Penna. Mother — Edith A. Humphrey, b. 18 September 1844, Meadville, Penna., d. 21 December 1896. Father — George Wilson Humphrey, b. 8 June 1834, Yarmouth, Me., d. 21 October 1894. Coroners' Records, Storey Co., Nevada: g George Decker, b. Penna., d. 26 June 1879, aged 52 yrs. Mrs. Browning, b. Penna., d. 15 May 1880, aged 35 yrs. Conrad Wiegand, b. Penna., d. 14 June 1880, aged 51 yrs. Neal Gallagher, b. Penna., d. 18 June 1880 at Gold Hill, Nevada, aged 30 yrs. Carl S. Jordan, b. Penna., d. 5 July 1880, aged 32 yrs. Patrick Humphry, b. Puma., d. 16 January 1881, aged 24 yrs. T. J. McCann, b. Penna., d. 26 January 1881, aged 59 yrs. May E. Powning, b. Penna., d. 22 February 1881 at Gold Hill, Nevada, aged 26 yrs. Periands Pollock, b. Penna., d. 28 December 1881, aged 71 yrs. M. W. Hassett, b. Penna., d. 29 March 1882, aged 51 yrs. F. H. McGrath, b. Penna., d. 20 March 1882, aged 48 yrs. Ed. P. Melly, b. Penna., d. 25 June 1882, aged 49 yrs. Mahala Norris, b. Penna., d. 26 July 1882, aged 42 yrs. James Owen, b. Penna., d. 24 September 1883, aged 11 Y2 yrs. John Shiffler, b. Penna., d. 9 April 1885, aged 49 yrs. John B. Fregan, b. Philadelphia, d. 20 November 1885 at Gold Hill, Nevada, aged 65 yrs. From mortuary records in Reno. Place of death 0 Virgitua City unless otherwise noted. Pennsylvanians in Nevada 191 John McCaustland, b. Penna., d. 31 January 1886, aged 73 yrs. Jessie Woodworth, b. Penna., d. 4 May 1887, aged 34 yrs. Mortuary Records, Reno, Nevada; F. W. Kramer, b. Penna., d. Glendale, Washoe Co., Reno [sic], 10 April 1903, aged 30 yrs., bur. Penna. Mary A. Avery, b. Penna., d. Reno 18 April 1903, aged 54-6-7; bur. Hillside, Reno. J. M. Painter, b. Penna., d. Reno 30 July 1903, aged 70 yrs., bur. 100F Cemetery, Reno. Ann Margaret Ryan, b. Penna., d. Reno 23 August 1903, aged 78 yrs., bur. IOOF Cemetery, Reno. Mary 0. Bingham, b. Penna., d. Alameda, Calif. 29 November 1903, aged 55-1-1; bur. IOOF Cemetery, Reno. Mortuary Records, Dayton, Nevada: Emma Lothrop, b. Penna. 22 January 1843; d. Reno 8 July 1919. Death Records front Newspapers Rev. George W. Beatty died suddenly while working on a mining claim with other men. Born Huntington, Penna. 17 February 1846 and grew up there. Was a member of the GAR; had been in a Penna. Regiment. In 1873 went to Pescadero, Calif. and spent six years as a Sunday School missionary for the entire Coast. During the past six years he had several charges. Just before giving up missionary work he married an estim able woman. Is survived by his widow, a brother and sister in California. Buried in California. — The Yerington Times, 22 July 1911. Mrs. Virginia Spurgeon, native of Pennsylvania, born 1844. Came to Nevada 1859; married 1861 J. W. Spurgeon. He died in 1903 at Carson City, Nevada. She is survived by four daughters: Mrs. M. G. Cecil of Carson City; Mrs. B. Hill of Nevada (Yet.ington); Mrs. George Johnstone of Yerington; Mrs. George Freyer and William Spurgeon of Sacramento. Buried Carson City with Episcopal services.— /bid., 1 November 1914. Hamilton Wise, one of the few Civil War Veterans remaining in Mason Valley. Born 29 April 1841 in Green Co., Penna. During Civil War enlisted in Co. N, 6th West Virginia Regiment. Married 13 February 1866 at Scotland Co., Missouri, to Hester Butter who survives. Preceded in death by one son and one daughter. Survived by two other daughters and five sons. Family came to Mason Valley in 1870. Buried Mountain View Cemetery at Yerington beside his deceased children. — Ibid., 24 April 1917. 1890 August 26: Hon. W. W. Bishop at his residence in San Francisco, Cahf. Born Erie Co., Penna. 22 January 1836. Well known orator, lawyer, politician. Had bad eyesight and was not accepted by the Army during the Civil War. By his speeches he raised two regiments in Illinois and Missouri. Personal friend of Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas. Mason of high degree. Brother of Dr. S. Bishop, Superintendent of Nevada Insane Asylum. Had other relatives in California and Nevada. Widow is Isabella H. Bishop. — White Pine News, Ely, White Pine Co., Nevada. Episcopal Church Record, Reno, Nevada: Married: 18 October 1875, Thomas Moore of Gold Hill, Nevada, and M. E. Hanlon of Philadelphia, Penna. Witnesses: J. V. Furs, H. Black. Now in the possession of Mr Silas Ross of the Ross-Burke Mortuary. Reno. 192 The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine NEVADA HISTORICAL SOCIETY BIBLE RECORD Births Ida August Smith, b. Piqm, Ohio, 28 June 1854 Mary Kate Smith, b. Piqua, Ohio, 20 October 1856 Alice Eliza Smith, b. Milford, Pike Co., Penna. 28 October 1859 Blanche Dimmick Smith, b. Matamoras, Pike Co., Penna. 28 May 1863 Marriages Mary Kate Smith, 23 January 1875, at Port Jervis, N. Y. Alice Eliza Smith, Summer of 1875 at Deposit, N. Y. Blanche D. Smith, 10 October 1888 at Goycourt, N. Y. Mrs. Agnes M. Smith, 20 August 1870 at Port Jervis, N. Y. Deaths MesheBum Storrs-Smith, d. 27 October 1863, aged 29-5-20 Ida Augusta Smith drowned in Delaware River at Matamoras, Pike Co., Prone. 14 July 1866, aged 12-0-16. Agnes M. Smith O'Hara, d. at Waterbury, Conn. 26 February 1897, aged 58-3-21. Mary Kate Smith Palker d. 19 April 1904, Deposit, N. Y. Alice Eliza Smith Gime d. 24 November 1906, Waterbury, Conn. M. S. Smith of Pennsylvania d. 27 October 1863, aged 35 yrs. [sic]. of Bilious Fever; bur. at Washington City [Washington, D. C.]. Dated at Washington City 2 November 1863 by M. M. White, Undertaker. Father — Meshellurn Stores-Smith, b. Schoharie Co., N. Y. 7 May 1834; married in Piqua, Ohio in 1853. Mother—Agnes Montgomery, b. Forestburgh, Sullivan Co., N. Y. 6 November 1838; married in Piqua, Ohio 20 August 1853. Natives of Pennsylvania migrated, not only westward, as indicated in the above records, but to the southern and northern states and to Canada. Because of their wanderings, both during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, tracing such families presents great difficulties to the searcher. The submission for publication of records from other areas, similar to these Nevada items, if Pennsylvania origins are clearly shown, is invited. If Robert Henderson, who formerly lived near Pittsburg, and Mary Henderson, wife of Jonathan Hays, who formerly lived at Toms Creek, in Frederick county, are now alive, they are Informed that their Mother, Jane Henderson, is living at Shelburne, in NovaScotia, and would be glad to hear from her children above named, or either of them. Aug. 22 Direct to the care of the Rev. Dr. Welter, at Shelburne, Nova-Scotia. 14 September 1787 Pentandoanie Packet