Joseph and Zau B Arthur - 1956 to 1960
The Authur's purchased our house from the Porter's on or around July 17, 1956. Mr. Arthur, known as Joe Arthur, was a well known mining figure in Nevada. He was born in Cornwall, England in 1875. He didn't meet his father until he came to America at nine years old as his father, like many English men of that era, came to America for work. His father worked in the Comstock Mine in Virginia City, Nevada. When Joe and his family came to America, they settled in Ruby Hill, Nevada. By the time he was seventeen Joe had already worked in the mines, been a cowpuncher (a cowboy) and had a small gold strike of $150. In 1901, at age 26, he was appointed to the Methodist Church Nevada Mission for Ruby Hill.
After his father died in 1901, he took his mother to Butte, Montana where he set her up in a boarding home. From there he went to Tonopah, Nevada, via Salt Lake City, Utah and Reno, Nevada. In Reno he hooked up with his boyhood friend from Ruby Hill, Harry Fray. Harry accompanied him to Tonopah. In Tonopah he took charge of a mining property for a Salt Lake City based company. When the company shut down the mine, he took it over on a lease.
After working the mine in Tonopah, he spent the next several years working his claims, prospecting and having several exciting adventures, many of which are chronicled in his biography, “Broken Hills.” “Broken Hills” was written by his wife, Zua, and is a must read for anyone interested in Nevada history.
Around 1913, he and his partner, Jim Stratford, made their biggest strike in what would become known as Broken Hills, Nevada. While the strike yielded $68,000 in ore, a minuscule amount compared to the Comstock Lode, that equates to $1,090,810 in today's dollars. Between that and the money he made selling his mine in 1917, he was able to retire to Reno, Nevada at forty three years old.
Joe never really retired though, he continued to prospect around Nevada and work his remaining claims for the next forty years. When not prospecting he spent his time hunting, fishing and entertaining people with stories of his life in Nevada.
Zau Arthur (née Bearss) grew up in Marshall County and Bourbon, Indiana where she attended high school. She studied at the Chicago Art Institute. Mrs. Arthur was an artist. While in Reno she created and sold many of her paintings. One of her paintings hung in our front room, even after the Zonnevelds purchased the home from the Arthurs. You can catch a glimpse of that painting in the movie “Sworn to Vengeance” (see more in section on the Zonnevelds).
A Joseph Arthur was listed as an honorary Pallbearer at William Machabee's funeral, but I have not been able to confirm he is the same Joseph Arthur who owned our house. However, as Harry Fray, his boyhood friend from Ruby Hill was related, by marriage, to the Machabees and Harry also worked at the Verdi Lumber Company with William Machabee, it is possible that Joe and Mr. Machabee were friends.
Mr. Arthur died on December 17, 1959. He and Mrs. Arthur had two sons; Kirk and George
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Sunday, March 14, 2010
The Porters
John N and Ruth Porter - 1954 to 1956
There are very few references to the Porter's though I have been able to put together a few items. Mr. Porter born in Missouri on September 25, 1891. He was an member of the local Elks lodge, No. 597. There is a newspaper article referring to Mrs. Porter's Lilac bushes and one about a police report on Ruth's car blocking a neighbor's garage door. Both articles cite she lived in our home at the time.
We have a reference of the Porter's selling the house to the next residents on or around July 17, 1956. In addition, I found an obituary for Mr. Porter. He died in Sacramento , CA on November 27, 1957. His funeral was here in Reno and he was buried in the Mountain View Cemetery
Mrs. Porter's son (John's stepson) Arley T McCrary, was married here in Reno on January 29. 1959 while he was attending the University of Nevada. He died in Oklahoma on January 27, 1955.
There are very few references to the Porter's though I have been able to put together a few items. Mr. Porter born in Missouri on September 25, 1891. He was an member of the local Elks lodge, No. 597. There is a newspaper article referring to Mrs. Porter's Lilac bushes and one about a police report on Ruth's car blocking a neighbor's garage door. Both articles cite she lived in our home at the time.
We have a reference of the Porter's selling the house to the next residents on or around July 17, 1956. In addition, I found an obituary for Mr. Porter. He died in Sacramento , CA on November 27, 1957. His funeral was here in Reno and he was buried in the Mountain View Cemetery
Mrs. Porter's son (John's stepson) Arley T McCrary, was married here in Reno on January 29. 1959 while he was attending the University of Nevada. He died in Oklahoma on January 27, 1955.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Important Links
We've added a Links section to our blog. The West of Wells Neighborhood Group will link you to the site for our neighborhood group. There you can find out about us, what we are doing and more articles about the Wells avenue area.
I have also added one for the Nevada Historical Society. While much of our research for this blog has been done on the Internet, none of it would have been possible without the Nevada Historical Society. It's where we started to learn about Full Circle House and the Wells Neighborhood and where we still go for help. Mike, Heidi and the rest of the staff are always willing to assist anyone with a desire to learn about Nevada's history. Check them out, become a member or leave a donation.
I have also added one for the Nevada Historical Society. While much of our research for this blog has been done on the Internet, none of it would have been possible without the Nevada Historical Society. It's where we started to learn about Full Circle House and the Wells Neighborhood and where we still go for help. Mike, Heidi and the rest of the staff are always willing to assist anyone with a desire to learn about Nevada's history. Check them out, become a member or leave a donation.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
The Fants
John and June Fant - 1944 to 1954
John Fant was born on July 2, 1910 in Lovelock, NV. He grew up on the Riverside Ranch which was owned by his parents, John and Hilma, and Nevada Senator George Nixon. He graduated from Lovelock High School and went on to earn a degree in Electrical Engineering and a Teaching certificate from the University of Nevada in Reno.
John Fant was a school teacher in Lovelock and Wells, NV before coming to Reno to teach. He taught junior high here in Reno. Eventually he held the position of Deputy State Superintendent of Public Instruction for Washoe County and later as it's Business Administrator and Finance Director. He was an avid tennis player and also enjoyed gardening, square dancing, and cribbage. Like William Machabee, he was also a Mason. After his retirement, he lived in Susanville, CA, where he volunteered at the Susanville Library until he was almost 90.
As far as I have been able to discern, while he owned our home, Mr. Fant was a school teacher. He and Mrs. Fant were both active in the American Association of University Women (AAUW). Many AAUW meetings were held here at our house. It wasn't until later, after he had moved from our home, that Mr. Fant held more administrative positions in the School district.
Mr. Fant worked for the school district at a time not unlike today. The Reno/Sparks area was growing and so was the school district. Just like today, there wasn't enough money to cover the expansion required to accommodate the growth. Many of the articles I've read about him have him working to increase the budget for education or to add new schools, classrooms and teachers.
June Fant was an Education Assistant at the University of Nevada, Reno. She also held the position of Instructor of Business Administration,
They were married on June, 1943. They honeymooned at Lake Tahoe and were to spend that summer at Mrs. Fant’s sister’s house in Cupertino, Calif. Unfortunately, that trip was cut short when John's father became ill. They sold their home to John and Ruth Porter on or around August 11, 1954.
Mrs. Fant died in 1971. Mr Fant died on May 11, 2004. They had two daughters, Jane and Lynne.
John Fant was born on July 2, 1910 in Lovelock, NV. He grew up on the Riverside Ranch which was owned by his parents, John and Hilma, and Nevada Senator George Nixon. He graduated from Lovelock High School and went on to earn a degree in Electrical Engineering and a Teaching certificate from the University of Nevada in Reno.
John Fant was a school teacher in Lovelock and Wells, NV before coming to Reno to teach. He taught junior high here in Reno. Eventually he held the position of Deputy State Superintendent of Public Instruction for Washoe County and later as it's Business Administrator and Finance Director. He was an avid tennis player and also enjoyed gardening, square dancing, and cribbage. Like William Machabee, he was also a Mason. After his retirement, he lived in Susanville, CA, where he volunteered at the Susanville Library until he was almost 90.
As far as I have been able to discern, while he owned our home, Mr. Fant was a school teacher. He and Mrs. Fant were both active in the American Association of University Women (AAUW). Many AAUW meetings were held here at our house. It wasn't until later, after he had moved from our home, that Mr. Fant held more administrative positions in the School district.
Mr. Fant worked for the school district at a time not unlike today. The Reno/Sparks area was growing and so was the school district. Just like today, there wasn't enough money to cover the expansion required to accommodate the growth. Many of the articles I've read about him have him working to increase the budget for education or to add new schools, classrooms and teachers.
June Fant was an Education Assistant at the University of Nevada, Reno. She also held the position of Instructor of Business Administration,
They were married on June, 1943. They honeymooned at Lake Tahoe and were to spend that summer at Mrs. Fant’s sister’s house in Cupertino, Calif. Unfortunately, that trip was cut short when John's father became ill. They sold their home to John and Ruth Porter on or around August 11, 1954.
Mrs. Fant died in 1971. Mr Fant died on May 11, 2004. They had two daughters, Jane and Lynne.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
The Meyers
William B. and Ruth E. Meyer – 1943
Ownership and occupants of the home during this period is rather convoluted. We have found references to a Henry H. and Yetta Miller living here during 1943. However, as shown on a document provided by Lynne (Fant) Nielsen, John Fant bought the house from the Meyers in 1943. More research will be needed to clear up who lived here and who owned the house prior to the Fants.
Ownership and occupants of the home during this period is rather convoluted. We have found references to a Henry H. and Yetta Miller living here during 1943. However, as shown on a document provided by Lynne (Fant) Nielsen, John Fant bought the house from the Meyers in 1943. More research will be needed to clear up who lived here and who owned the house prior to the Fants.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
The Machabees
William J and Irene Machabee - 1914 (?) to 1943
We have a Polk's directory listing for William J. Machabee as a foreman for the Reno Mill & Lumber company in 1913. He stayed in the lumber industry for most of his life. In 1937 he is listed as being the manager of the Verdi Lumber Company and the following year he is an estimator for the Hobart Lumber Company. In addition, Irene is first listed as his wife during that year, which is interesting as they were married on July 11, 1907.
Mr. Machabee was the father of Delbert Machabee who founded Morrill and Machabee Office Supply, now called Machabee Office Environments, here in Reno. His grandchildren, James and Gary Machabee, still own the business. Gary's son, Scott, is now the president.
We also found a Polk's listing for a Mary Morrish running concurrently with William Machabee from 1917 to 1921. At first I thought maybe she was a servant, but further research has shown she was his mother-in-law and she lived here after her husband died. She died in the house on October 3, 1930. She was 81 years old.
Mr. Machabee died on January 4, 1946. He was 66 years old. Besides his work in the lumber industry, he was a “past Master of the Reno Masonic Lodge No. 13, a patron of the Nevada Chapter No. 13 of the Eastern Star, a member of the Scottish Rite bodies of Nevada and Kerak Temple of the Shrine.” (1) In addition, I have found references in the newspapers that list a Wm. Machabee as president of the Shinglers and Lathers' Union 10,500 and W J Machabee as the Recording Secretary for the Building Trades Council. He may have been a member of the Reno Wheelman, a cycling club still in existence here.
Mrs. Machabee was 86 when she died on August 25, 1970. She was a “Matron of the Nevada Chapter No. 13 O E S” (Order of the Eastern Star) “and was a member of the Daughters of the Nile and of the First Methodist Church.” (2) The First Methodist Church is Reno's oldest church. It was founded in 1868.
In our basement, on one of the joists there is an inscription that reads "Machabee 7/22/1923." During a recent, and serendipitous, conversation with Mary Machabee, the wife of the above mentioned Gary Machabee, she said that date may be significant. I researched that date at NewspaperArchives.com, but found nothing relating to the Machabees on that date. While cleaning out our basement for my 50th birthday party, Rosalie found a long, thin board with holes drilled in it. On it was the inscription "W J Machabee August 30, 1924." Again, I searched to see if that was related to something in Mr. Maccabees's life, but was unable to correlate it to any recorded events.
1. Reno Evening Gazette, Jan. 5, 1946, page 14
2. Nevada State Journal, Aug. 26, 1970, page 9
We have a Polk's directory listing for William J. Machabee as a foreman for the Reno Mill & Lumber company in 1913. He stayed in the lumber industry for most of his life. In 1937 he is listed as being the manager of the Verdi Lumber Company and the following year he is an estimator for the Hobart Lumber Company. In addition, Irene is first listed as his wife during that year, which is interesting as they were married on July 11, 1907.
Mr. Machabee was the father of Delbert Machabee who founded Morrill and Machabee Office Supply, now called Machabee Office Environments, here in Reno. His grandchildren, James and Gary Machabee, still own the business. Gary's son, Scott, is now the president.
We also found a Polk's listing for a Mary Morrish running concurrently with William Machabee from 1917 to 1921. At first I thought maybe she was a servant, but further research has shown she was his mother-in-law and she lived here after her husband died. She died in the house on October 3, 1930. She was 81 years old.
Mr. Machabee died on January 4, 1946. He was 66 years old. Besides his work in the lumber industry, he was a “past Master of the Reno Masonic Lodge No. 13, a patron of the Nevada Chapter No. 13 of the Eastern Star, a member of the Scottish Rite bodies of Nevada and Kerak Temple of the Shrine.” (1) In addition, I have found references in the newspapers that list a Wm. Machabee as president of the Shinglers and Lathers' Union 10,500 and W J Machabee as the Recording Secretary for the Building Trades Council. He may have been a member of the Reno Wheelman, a cycling club still in existence here.
Mrs. Machabee was 86 when she died on August 25, 1970. She was a “Matron of the Nevada Chapter No. 13 O E S” (Order of the Eastern Star) “and was a member of the Daughters of the Nile and of the First Methodist Church.” (2) The First Methodist Church is Reno's oldest church. It was founded in 1868.
In our basement, on one of the joists there is an inscription that reads "Machabee 7/22/1923." During a recent, and serendipitous, conversation with Mary Machabee, the wife of the above mentioned Gary Machabee, she said that date may be significant. I researched that date at NewspaperArchives.com, but found nothing relating to the Machabees on that date. While cleaning out our basement for my 50th birthday party, Rosalie found a long, thin board with holes drilled in it. On it was the inscription "W J Machabee August 30, 1924." Again, I searched to see if that was related to something in Mr. Maccabees's life, but was unable to correlate it to any recorded events.
1. Reno Evening Gazette, Jan. 5, 1946, page 14
2. Nevada State Journal, Aug. 26, 1970, page 9
Sunday, February 7, 2010
The Chenoweths
Wallace Chenowith - 1909 (? ) to 1914 (?)
Wallace Chenoweth was stone mason in Reno. We believe he may have come here from Sonora, CA. In 1902 a W. Chenoweth of Sonora purchased a lot in the Newtown or East Reno tract. He was one of the original shareholders in the Gold Mountain Goldfields Mining and Milling company incorporated in 1906.
He married Mrs. Cynthia Ficke on June 23, 1907 in the home of Mrs. T. B. Skinner on Virgina St. The Reverend Leslie H. Burwell presided over the ceremony. There is a reference that Cynthia recorded a deed for the lot next of our house on August 31, 1905. Cynthia also had two children, August and Freda, from her first husband. He died on December 1, 1904 of typhoid.
The Chenoweths moved to San Jose, CA in 1924. There was a farewell party for them, but no reason for their move was given. However, Cynthia had family in the area, so maybe they moved to be near them.
Some interesting tidbits came up during our research.
There is a special notice in the Nevada State Journal on September 9, 1915 stating “I will not be responsible for any debts contracted by any one outside myself. W. M. Chenoweth.” We are not sure why this was posted.
Cynthia's son August died in San Jose California during October 1930. He would have been in his mid-thirties.
Her mother, Caroline Clark lived in Verdi with one of her daughters, Ethel Willams, until her death in January 1935 at age 76.
Her brother, John Clark, died after a protracted illness in May 1938. He lived in Berkely, CA and the article lists his siblings. Cynthia was in San Jose, CA, Elizabeth Ross in Red Rock, NV, Ethel Williams and Josephine Wagner in Reno, NV, Alice Vandecar of Berkely, CA and Alivia Mund of Santa Rosa, CA.
Cynthia was born in Utah. We have been unable to find where Wallace was born nor do we have any information when they died.
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