A Hurd of Burrows (Burrows)

Elizabeth Hurd Burrows 

  Vere Burrows Hansen  grew up in Grass Valley California in a very  large family. She was the fifth child out of twelve born to  Alexander Burrows (born in Sligo County, Ireland in 1847) and Elizabeth Jane Hurd (born 1855 in Tamaqua County, Pennsylvania).  Their children were sometimes referred to in the family as "a Hurd of Burrows".  

 

 Alexander Burrows emigrated to Philadelphia around 1870 and came to California as a young man.   He studied law and was admitted to practice law in April of 1878. He met and married  Elizabeth Jane Hurd sometime around 1874-5.  Her family was living in Virginia City, Nevada at the time, but still had maternal relatives in Nevada City, California (the Cornish Bluetts and Roddas).  Elizabeth Jane herself was admitted to the bar as a lawyer in 1887 and was the "consulting council of the concern" as she laughingly said...from A. Burrow's biography published in "Memorial and Biographical History of Northern California", 1891.

  Alexander  Burrows    Picture shared by Milton Davis on Ancestry.com 

   

  The children of Alexander Burrows and Elizabeth Jane Hurd are as follows....

1.  Maude Elaine Burrows b. 30 October 1875 California  d. 10 Aug 1965 Los Angeles, Ca. 

    *Maude married Edwin Mills Morrill from Rough and Ready, Ca. All of his siblings would eventually move to Ventura, in Southern California.  In 1900 they were living on School Street in Grass Valley with their son Francis.   In 1910 they were living in Oakland with Elizabeth Jane Burrows and their children Francis and Millicent in a house purchased by Elizabeth Jane.  Maude's sister Gladys Burrows (aged 17)  also lived with the family.  By 1920 Maude lived  in Los Angeles, was listed on the census as married, but living as a roomer in a hotel and working as a domestic. Her 17 year old daughter Millicent was also a boarder at the same address  and worked as a telephone operator.  I found a birth index record for a daughter born to Maud in 1915; her name was Mary Kathleen Smith.  There is a Mary Kathleen Smith listed on the 1920 census as being 4 1/2 years old living at the same address as Maude and Millicent.  Her husband was listed in 1918 as living at a different address while he worked as a stage carpenter in Los Angeles.  In 1930 Edwin was living in an apartment with Francis who was a civil engineer by then.   In 1940 Maude was living in San Francisco with her daughter Mary Kathleen (who was then listed under the name Morrill).   She listed herself as being widowed, but her husband didn't die until 1953.  Maude passed away in 1965 in Los Angeles. Edwin died in 1953 in Los Angeles.  His headstone reads "Beloved Husband and Father".  There is an interesting story in  there somewhere...

2.  Herbert Spenser Burrows b. 4 April 1877 Grass Valley d. 11 June 1938 Napa, Ca. 

    *Herbert was a miner in Grass Valley in 1898.  By the 1900 Census he was listed as a patient at the Napa State Hospital for the Insane.  He was 23 years old. 

Herbert Spenser Burrows WWI Registration Card.  Nearest relative is listed as unknown.  His signature is very shaky. He would pass away in 1938 at the age of 61. His birth announcement was found in the Morning Union of  April 7,  1877, and his name was in the December 19,  1885 Morning Union on the 6th grade Roll of Honor for good attendance.    Did he have an accident in the mine? Was he mentally unstable? Did he suffer from low cognitive abilities?  His adult life story is unknown, and more research is needed.  

3.  Donald Francis Burrows b. 28, November 1879 Grass Valley d. 5 March 1940 Santa Clara Ca. 

     *Donald married Lillian Pilcher from Sacramento, Ca. and lived at 3411 Anza Street in San Francisco in 1930.  Don worked as an examiner of merchandise in the appraiser's department of the government of San Francisco.  He studied law and was admitted to practice the legal profession in the state by the Supreme Court of California sometime in the 40's.  Don and Lillian had three children: Marjorie, Evelyn and Don. S. . 

4. Roy Alexander Burrows b. 23 January 1881 d. 23 October 1943 Reno, Nv. 

    *Roy married Lucie A. Crampton who was born in Virginia City, Nv. in 1884.  I will do a separate post on this family, as there is a good deal of history from Virginia City and Reno, Nv. that is very interesting. Roy and Lucie had only one daughter,  named Gertrude, who sadly passed away at the age of 13 from a burst appendix.  Roy and Lucie did not stay married after Gertrude's death.  Roy was a prominent contractor in Reno, and helped  Robley (Bob) Hansen get started in the business before his death in 1943.  

5.  Clara Vere Burrows b. 25 September, 1882 Grass Valley, d. 17 October, 1974 Grass Valley, Ca. 

    *Vere married John Hartwig Hansen 3 July, 1904 and they had 4 children:  Hulda, Jack, Robley (Bob) and Harold.  Harold Hansen was my Grandfather. There are  many previous posts on the Hansen family in Grass Valley. 

6.  Lillian Burrows b. 1885 (no record) d. 12 January 1892.  "Record of Burials in Greenwood Cemetery, Grass Valley, 1867-1930"  Lillian Burrows aged 7 years.  Resident of Grass Valley.  Native of California. Cause of death:  Membranous Croup. *birth year is estimated from time of death. There is no known location for this plot. There is no record of her middle name.  Membranous Croup is also known as diphtheria.  

7.  Wanda Adele Burrows b. 1886 Grass Valley d. 5 July 1937 Alameda, Ca. 

     *Wanda married William M. Nankervis who was also born in Grass Valley.  He was a miner in the Empire Mine.  I will do an additional post on this family, as I have  pictures and history to share.  They had two children; Claude and Hazel.  Hazel married William Lockyer.  Their son is Bill Lockyer who was a California State Legislator in the Assembly in the 1970's. 

8.  Frank Hurd Burrows b. 5 April 1877 (found in The Morning Union from April 7, 1877) d. August 1877 (from Claire Hansen Clark's information).  I was unable to find any more mention of this little one.  He may be buried in the same plot that Lillian is in, but there is no known location.  Elizabeth Jane had a brother named Frank Hurd. 

9.  Gwendolyn Harriet Burrows b. 9 April 1890 d. 9 June 1907 

    *Gwendolyn sadly died in a streetcar accident in Los Angeles.  She was 18 years old. This story ran in the Reno Evening Gazette..."Miss Gwendolyn Burroughs (Burrows), who was killed last night in the street-car accident in Los Angeles was for two years a resident in this city and numbered her friends in Reno by the score.  For a time she attended the Nevada State University and resided with her mother and brother on the south side of the river.  She took a leading part in Episcopal Church matters and for a time sang in the choir of that church.  Miss Burroughs was a beautiful girl and was very popular while in Reno.  She was about 18 years of age and was a native of California. Before coming to Reno to reside  she resided with her parents in Grass Valley where her father was a leading lawyer.  She lived with her mother until a few months ago, when, on account of her mother's health, the family moved to Los Angeles. She was a niece of Mrs. M. J. Curtis and Miss Edith Hurd in this city and leaves a brother, Roy Burroughs, in Gold Field and a mother and sister in Los Angeles". 

"Gwendolyn Burrow's Grave Rosedale Cemetery"

  Gwendolyn's story help fill in gaps between censuses.  It looks like Maude and Edwin may have initially moved from Grass Valley to Los Angeles and that Elizabeth Jane was living with them before she purchased a home in Oakland in June 1909 where they all resided.   Alexander Burrows had died in 1904 in San Francisco. 

   I found these two pictures that give more dates and place clues...the house is marked "March 1, 1905 Los Angeles" and I believe the two children are Francis Morrill (b. 1900) and Millicent Morrill (b. 1902). 

  

"Millicent Morrill at 11 years.  Courthouse and Hall of Records in background. Los Angeles, Cal.  1913"

It looks like Maude and Edwin were back in Los Angeles by 1913.  

10.   Inez Francis Burrows b. 1891 Grass Valley d. 1899, Grass Valley 

    *according to Claire Hansen Clark's information Inez died of diphtheria at the age of 8.  I was unable to find any information on this child.  

11.  Edison Winnifred Burrows b. February 1892 d. 9 August 1892

    *Big Book Record of Burials in Greenwood Cemetery Grass Valley 1867-1930..."Edison Burrows aged 1 year.  Resident of California.  Native of Grass Valley.  Cause of death:  Cholera Infantum".  No known location of plot.   Cholera Infantum was an often  fatal form of gastroenteritis in infants.  

Edison Burrows Funeral Card August 9, 1892

12.  Gladys Evelyn Burrows b.  9 April 1893 Grass Valley d. 14 May 1929 San Francisco California

     *In 1910 she was living with her mother Elizabeth Jane Burrows in the Oakland house on E. 28th Street with the Morrills.  She married Joseph Allston Davis in Oakland, Ca. in 1918.  Their children were: Rose,  Elizabeth (Betty) , Ethelreda and Milton Smith Davis.  Her husband Joseph was a dentist in San Francisco.  Gladys died May 14, 1929 at the age of 37 of pulmonary tuberculosis. 

Elizabeth Davis married Lloyd Holley Phillips, who corresponded quite a bit with Claire Hansen Clark.  The Phillips, as well as Mary Kathleen Morrill kept in touch with Jack Hansen (Vere's oldest son).  This picture is from June 1969 and lists "Jack Hansen Lloyd and Betty Phillips and Mary Morrill".  Betty and Mary were Jack's first cousins.  

Milton Davis is the son of Milton Smith Davis, and is the family member who shared the picture of A. Burrows with me.  We correspond through Ancestry.com and share DNA.  He would be my 2nd cousin once removed.  But who's keeping track? 

Odds and Ends Continued and the Final Word on John Hartwig Hansen (Hansen)

Jack Hansen's trip to Yosemite sometime after 1924.  Notice the dirt roads! 

John Hansen (in hat and with pipe) standing with Jack Hansen and unknown family sometime after 1924

The receipt for the Ford Touring car purchased from the Grass Valley Garage February 28, 1924.  John Hansen upgraded the rear axle for $70.00.  I believe it is the same car in the above two pictures!

It looks like John and Vere purchased a Maytag washing machine in 1926 for  $178.00.  Bob Hansen helped with the purchase in some way, as he signed the agreement.  Margaret Hansen Boothby remembers the washer still in use in the 40's.  It had a set of wringers on it that you could feed the wet things through to squeeze the water out, then they would go on the clothesline out the back door of the second story (West Main Street).   She said it was state of the art back then, and it fascinated her as a little girl.  I can imagine. 

It may have looked like one of these from a 1926 catalog.....

Jack Hansen graduated with a Commercial Degree from St. Mary's Academy in 1926, two years after his High School Graduation. From 1928-1931 he attended Heald Business College in San Francisco, learning Accounting.  He gained valuable clerical skills that he used in his various jobs.  In the 1930 Census he is listed as living in Sacramento as a boarder with the Charles McConnell family working as a clerk for the State.  The 1940 Census has him listed as living in Grass Valley with his parents John and Vere and working as a substitute mail carrier with the post office.  His Separation Qualification Record (Army) from October 1945 says he was a postal clerk for the U.S. Post Office in Grass Valley, sorting mail, performing minor clerical duties and working as a carrier on a rural route before enlistment. 

 He would serve in WWII as a postal clerk.  When he came back to Grass Valley after the war, he became the Superior Court Clerk for Nevada County until his retirement in 1972. 

Jack's retirement letter from Congressman Harold T. (Bizz) Johnson 1972

  And now for some final words and thoughts on John Hartwig Hansen.....

I found this in an envelope while going through a stack of bills, life insurance policies and receipts for mining shares purchased that Vere had saved.  It is from September 7th, 1888 in San Francisco, which puts John Hansen in California at that time.  He must have been curious enough  about his future prospects in America to visit Professor Allen Haddock's office at No. 1008 Market Street in San Francisco, where he had his Phrenological Character determined.  Phrenology was a pseudoscience which involved the measurement of the bumps on the skull to predict mental traits.  It was very popular in the 1800's and was influential in  psychiatry and psychology of the 19th century.  Professor Haddock offered phrenological examinations (oral) for $1.00 and "recorded on chart" for $2.00. For $5.00 you could get a type written analysis.  John opted for the $2.00 option.  Here it is!

He had two pages of checklists...here is the first page which is difficult to read. #3 says (regarding friendship) that he was highly social and warm hearted.  #5 says (regarding continuity) that he was disconnnected, inclined to change often and love variety.  On page two under #26 (size) it says that he would be good at  estimating the weight of cattle by  size.  Under #37 (comparison) is says that he was agreeable, persuasive and polite to a degree.  I loved #23 (mirthfulness)....he had a keen relish for jokes.......

   His callings as a sea faring man, a farmer or a miner were spot on although he never went into the grocery business.  He owned the Nevada County Laundry for awhile, building up  a prosperous business.   He did marry a brunette, but I'm not sure she would qualify as tall.  She did aspire to be a good mother, and to serve her church and community.   He lived past the 70 or 75 years predicted (he was 80).  He loved variety and change, and was a much loved member of the community in Grass Valley.  I'm not sure how much he needed his ability to estimate the weight of cattle, but he did have milk cows on his farm.  As far a sanguine temperament goes, the definition is something like this:  "Indicated by well defined forms, moderate plumpness of person, tolerable firmness of flesh, light hair inclining to chestnut, blue eyes and a fair complexion, with ruddiness of countenance". (The History of Phrenology on the Web by John van Whye) 

 I wonder why he saved this in an old envelope all these years.  I sure enjoyed reading it!

If you are really interested in Phrenology, there is a Google book that is fascinating.  It is a compilation of journals called The Phrenological Journal and Science of Health Volume 117.  There is an article (with pictures!)  about the one and only Professor Allen Haddock in San Francisco on page 310.  He wrote an article for the Journal entitled "The Correlation of Mind and Body".  You can also read such articles as "Cuba as a Winter Health Resort" or "The Hygiene of Sunshine" or "More Care Choosing Pursuits".  

Odds and Ends (Hansen)

Jack Klemmet Hansen 9 months old  (July 1907)

  Before I move on to the Burrows and Hurd Families, I wanted to share some odds and ends that didn't quite make it into the other stories of the Hansen family in Grass Valley.  I think these tid bits  add more to the story of what gives my family a unique place in the history of Grass Valley, California. 

Jack Klemmet Hansen 12 months old  (October 1907)

Antique child's rocking chair (1906?) used by the three Hansen Boys.  Referred to as "Uncle Jack's rocker" (still in the family).

The Nevada County Laundry owned by John Hartwig Hansen early 1900's.  He may be standing next to the horse and wagon.  It was possibly located on Bennett Street where the freeway currently crosses. 

Harold Hansen talked about moving to the ranch near the  Idaho Maryland Mine in  March of 1916 during a "blinding snowstorm".  He described how the family climbed aboard the express wagon with side blinds drawn to escape the blizzard conditions.  He said the draft horses had a hard time making their way out E. Main street to Idaho Maryland road.  I found this picture in the book Nevada County Narrow Gauge by Gerald M. Best (1965).  It sounds like the winter of 1916 was a tough one!

Harold Lloyd Hansen (before 1928?) 

Friday, May 29, 1942 the Del Oro Movie Theater  opened in Grass Valley.  The dedication was given by Mayor John Hansen of the City of Grass Valley.  Musical selections were  sung by the California Cornish Gold Mining Singers. 

The Gold Miners Chorus  (Jack Hansen third from left) 

This group was a subset of the Cornish Choir, and was a select group who performed professionally  throughout Northern California.  The group toured regularly, especially on weekends.  The sledgehammer and rock with a drill bit were used in one of the songs as a rhythmic accompaniment. They also used an anvil to strike with hammers.  Excerpt from When Miners Sang by Gage McKinney (2001) and information provided by Margaret Hansen Boothby. 

The Cornish Choir  (Jack Hansen first on left, second row from top, Harold Hansen far right, and Jim Holman bottom row, fifth from left)  1946

Squaw Valley Winter Olympics February 1960 Program Cover

These pictures were in Uncle Jack's things.  I am assuming that he was there and took these pictures.....

Upon further discussion with Mom (Margaret Hansen Boothby), these pictures may have been taken by my Auntie Claire (her sister) who did go to the Olympics with the High School Choir.  They were asked to sing at the opening.  The kids had to sit or stand on hay bales because the bleachers they were supposed to use were not finished.  A lady in Auburn wrote a song about the event and having heard Harold Hansen (their father) sing with the Carol Choir, she called and asked him to record it.  He went to Auburn to the new little radio station there and recorded the song which played over and over during the time leading up to the Olympics.  Margaret recalls that she didn't remember any of the words to the song except for "at Squaw Valleeeeee" at the end of each verse and sung with his (Harold's) usual theatrical flair!  That's a great memory. 

"Feb. 18th 1960. Song "Let's Meet at Squaw Valley".  Words and music composed and written by Effie Lois Humphrey.  Soloist-Harold Hansen. Organist-Dorothy Simmons.  All of Grass Valley, California."

An action shot of ski jumping at the Squaw Valley Winter Olympics February 1960

I thought I would end with this one...of Jack Hansen as a little guy in the summer of 1907.   He wrote on the back..."Isn't this one naughty. I think the one who took this picture ought to be arrested."  I chuckle every time I read the caption! 

School Days and Beyond (Hansen)

  I have so many pictures of the Hansen brothers growing up in Grass Valley and northern California; it  has been difficult to choose what to share.  I believe these pictures give a good sense of the unique place they grew up in, attended school, and continued to enjoy as young men before marriage, family, careers and the war.  Enjoy! 

Possibly taken at  the ranch off Idaho Maryland, Grass Valley.  Laddie the dog. 

Robley (Bob) Hansen in Grass Valley.

Possibly taken at the ranch off Idaho Maryland, Grass Valley.

Harold Hansen on the ranch, Grass Valley. 

Jack Hansen on the ranch, Grass Valley.

Jack Hansen (third row from top, far right) possibly Washington School, Grass Valley.

Either Jack or Robley Hansen (top row first on left) with possibly a young Miss Dillinger. Washington School. 

Jack Hansen (bottom row, second from right) possibly Miss George, Lincoln School. 

Jack Hansen (middle row, fourth from right).  Washington School with Miss Dillinger (fifth grade) confirmed by The Morning Union August, 1916 and his report card. 

Jack Hansen (top row, second from right) Grass Valley High School Football team (year unknown). 

"Uncle Jack's football helmet, which was made of leather, ended up on Grandma Hansen's (Vere's) clothes line that went from the upstairs back porch out to the plum tree fastened upside down on the line to hold clothes pins.  It was stiff as a board from being outdoors in all weather for so long, but was still recognizable." This was at the 418 West Main street house.  Memories of Margaret Hansen Boothby.       I remember the plum tree...it had the tastiest plums in the world growing on it!

Harold Hansen, Muriel and Neil 1928 hiking picture probably taken by Jack Hansen

Muriel was a school friend who graduated in '28 with Harold Hansen.  He kept her picture.

YMCA Hiking Club (sometime after high school) Manzanita Station, Mt. Tamalpais (Jack Hansen in front,  right) 

Jack at Bootjack Camp, Mt. Tamalpais,  1933

Bootjack Camp 1933 Jack on right.

This picture was taken in front of the PG&E Office around 1932 per Rick Cooper (FB group You Know You are From Nevada County if You Remember...).  I'm not sure if Jack worked on a crew as a summer job for PG&E or not.  

Robley (Bob) Hansen boating on Lake Tahoe 1929

Trip to Yosemite (year unknown; possibly in late 20's early 30's).

Jack Hansen Yosemite (year unknown; possibly late 20's early 30's)

Jack Hansen in Sacramento Capitol Park (date unknown; possibly late 20's early 30's).  Caption on back "I am surrounded by cactus plants."

Harold Hansen in Sacramento Capitol Park (date unknown; possibly late 20's early 30's)

Harold Hansen on the ranch with Laddie. He talked about Laddie throughout his life, so he must have been a very special dog. 

  I am very  glad this part of the family took so many pictures to document their lives.  The school pictures and report cards add more pieces to the puzzle and provide a clearer picture of my grandfather's and great uncles' lives  growing up in Grass Valley, California.  A place that I was lucky enough to grow up in , too!