Clara Vere Burrows Stayed in Grass Valley (Burrows Hansen)

                     

 

                                    Clara Vere Burrows (number 38) Columbus  School Grass Valley, Ca 1893

  Clara Vere Burrows was the  Great Grandmother I never really knew.  The last few months I feel like I have gotten to know her a bit better through research and discovering never before seen pictures.  She was my Grandfather Harold Hansen's mother.  She was born and raised in Grass Valley, California, and except for a grand adventure to Central America with her husband John Hansen, she stayed in Grass Valley to raise her boys and put her own unique stamp on her family, church  and community. 

  Vere (as everyone called her) was born the fifth child out of 12 to Alexander and Elizabeth Jane Burrows.  Both Alexander and Elizabeth were lawyers; Alexander ran his offices out of the Holbrook Block as "A. Burrows, Attorney at Law" (The Daily Morning Union, Grass Valley, 1889).   I am not sure how much time Elizabeth Jane had to devote to her practice, with 12 children to rear.  Out of the surviving siblings Vere was the only one to stay in Grass Valley for remainder of her life.  

  Vere was born September 25, 1882 in Grass Valley.  She attended Columbus School,  elementary grades through high school.  I found the above picture at the Nevada County Historical Society (161 Nevada City Highway, Nevada City, Ca) while I was looking for other records last summer.  It was an amazing find, just sitting there in a large drawer.  I also found out that she was a charter member of the Nevada County Historical Society!   The 1880 Census lists the family as living in Grass Valley.  There is no street named; the census taker just listed and numbered each family as he wrote his records down in his flourishing handwriting.   The 1890 census is unavailable, so the next Census for 1900 lists the family as living on the West Side of Townsend Street (again no house number)  with  Elizabeth listed as head of household and occupation as lawyer.  

                                                           Ada Hooper went on to graduate from High School with Vere. 

                                 Maggie Woods and Clarence Grenfell  went on to graduate from High School                                                                                    with Vere. 

 

Columbus School 1917.  Beautiful Banner Mountain is in the background.  Betty, Fran and Dorothy Hayes attended school here, as well as Harold, Jack and Bob Hansen.              

The Columbus School was torn down and replaced by Hennessy Elementary.  It is now Grass Valley Charter School.  It is located at 225 South Auburn Street in Grass Valley.  Source: Rick Cooper Face Book Private Group You Know You're From Nevada County If You Remember...

    The Daily Morning Union, Grass Valley, Friday July 7, 1899 describes Vere as a bright student.  She had passed the examination to become a senior at Columbus School's High School Class with a score of 91.3.  She graduated high school in 1900. 

                    Graduating class of 1900.  Vere Burrows is third from right, seated on the wicker chair. 

                   Vere's essay "Use of History" still exists and will be archived with her family artifacts. 

                                                                            Senior Picture Grass Valley High School 1900

  According to her obituary printed in The Union October 19, 1974, Vere was a long time member of the Emmanuel Episcopal Church, and sang in the church choir.  She was active in the Agricultural Extension Program of Nevada County and Chicago Park Canning Co. (a forerunner to the 4-H movement) and was past president of Manzanita Parlor, Native Daughters of Golden West.  She was also a founder of the PTA in Grass Valley Elementary Schools.  In front of one of the entrances to Hennessey School is a very tall redwood tree that was planted in her honor.  There may still be a bronze plaque.  I need to make a trip to investigate that tidbit of information! 

          Interior of The Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 235 South Church Street, Grass Valley, Ca. 

  As a young woman Vere had quite a patriotic interest, much like John Hansen.  She was among the hundreds crowded at the Colfax train depot to greet President Teddy Roosevelt on May 19, 1903.  I wouldn't be surprised if John Hansen was at this event, too!  The family story goes she handed Teddy a bouquet of flowers. 

T. R.'s 14,000 mile trip began in April, took him through 25 states and lasted 9 weeks. During this trip T.R. saw Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, the Redwoods and arranged a face to face meeting and  then experienced an impromptu camping trip with John Muir in Yosemite. T.R. did not just give speeches from the back of his train car, he also helped shovel coal, enjoyed visiting with the engineers and liked to blow the train's whistle in the middle of the night. From the TR Inaugural Site  www.trsite.org   "TR In California: The Whistle Stop Tour That Changed America"

  Vere Burrows became the happy bride of John H. Hansen at 4:45 am (in order to catch the train to the coast) on July 3, 1904.  The parlor home of Mrs. E.J. Burrows was decorated with a patriotic theme of bunting and flags.  This patriotic theme carried throughout their marriage and in the raising of their three boys on the ranch.   

  I have  surprisingly few pictures of Vere to share.  She seemed a little camera shy perhaps. Or she was the one taking all the pictures of her husband and boys.  Enjoy!

                                                     Clara Burrows Hansen 1930's or 40's

                  Vere and John Hansen with unidentified gentleman and Harold Hansen early  1930's

John and Vere Hansen at an unknown Grass Valley function.  They are 6 and 7 from the top left, under the window, second row. 

                                                            Betty and Harold Hansen with Vere Hansen  

                                                                           Harold, Vere and Jack Hansen 

   Vere's husband John passed away April 10th, 1945 while all three of their sons were serving in WWII.  It must have been a very difficult time for her.  Her  life as wife of adventurer, business man,  councilman and mayor was over.  Her boys wouldn't be home for a little while longer, and when they did get home Bob and Harold were married with children and living in their own homes.   When Jack came home he continued to live in the house on West Main Street with Vere.  He took care of her as she got older, never marrying.   She was known for her red geraniums on the sun porch and her continued work in Emmanuel Church.  Later in life she was in ill health and needed the care of Spring Hill Manor Convalescent Hospital.  She passed away at the age of 92 October 17, 1974.    She had four grandchildren and six great grandchildren.  

  Although I don't have many memories of my Great Grandmother (I do remember the geraniums on her porch, and love growing my own) I feel a great appreciation for what she did in the community I eventually grew up in.