Header
Thurtell and Related Families
Notes for Persia BISHOP
The 1963 Thurtell Family History and the History of the Thurtell Family
compiled by Susan Persia Thurtell about 1968, both in the possession of
Susan Persia Thurtell Miller, showed that Persia Bishop Thurtell died in
childbirth at the time her daughter, Persia Bell Bishop Thurtell was born.
Information was received in 1997 from Miss Lee Mortensen, Librarian, from
the Nevada Historical Society, 1650 North Virginia Street, Reno, Nevada
89503, 702-688-1191, about Persia Bishop and her family. Her father, Dr.
Simeon Bishop, was one of the Nevada pioneers and very well known in the
Washoe - Carson - Virginia City - Reno area of Nevada.
An article in the "Oakland California Trib" on February 27, 1944,
mentions among the memories of her sister, Ella Bishop Drury, that Persia
Bishop was "named for Persia Bowers, daughter of the famous 'Sandy.'"
There was an article in "The Californians" of September/October 1989,
pages 44-49 by Richard H. Peterson "Comstock Couple: The Triumph and
Tragedy of Sandy and Eilley Bowers." They were the first Comstock
millionaires, but their fortune did not last more than 10 years. They
took a tour of Europe in 1862-1863. On the way home, "a young woman
named Margaret Nixon aboard the same ship died shortly after giving
birth, whereupon the childless Eilley adopted the baby and named her
Margaret Persia, after her natural mother and the Royal Mail steamship
Persia on which they were traveling." Sandy Bowers died in 1868 at age
35, and Persia Bowers died at age 12 in 1874.
The "Gold Hill News" of December 30, 1865, shows the announcement "Births
- Bishop - At Huffaker's, Washoe county, Nevada, Dec. 28th, to the wife
of Dr. S. Bishop, a daughter."
The "Nevada State Journal" on June 16, 1893, shows "Married - Thurtell -
Bishop - At San Francisco, June 11, 1893, at the residence of Mr. and
Mrs. Wells Drury, by Rev. W. W. Davis, rector of St. Luke's parish,
Professor Henry Thurtell of Reno and Miss Persia Bishop, daughter of Dr.
S. Bishop, of Ione, Cal."
The funeral of Persia Bishop Thurtell was held at Trinity Episcopal
Church, Reno, Nevada, and burial was in the Masonic cemetery according
to articles in the "Nevada State Journal" and the "Territorial
Enterprise" on August 2, 1894. An article about her death in the same
paper on July 29, 1894, states that "Mrs. Thurtell was born in Washoe
City about twenty-eight years ago, and while yet in her girlhood death
deprived her of a loving mother. Dr. Bishop and his family moved to Reno
in its earliest days, and here Mrs. Thurtell grew to womanhood. She was
a dutiful and affectionate daughter and sister, and was a woman of an
exceptional disposition, mild and loving. Her home was her ideal of
happiness, and her happiest moments when she could minister to the wants
of others or grant a favor to those about her." The death announcement
in the same day's newspaper shows "Died - Thurtell - In Reno, July 28,
1894, Persia Bishop, beloved wife of Prof. Henry Thurtell."
| HOME | EMAIL | SURNAMES |
Footer
Additions and corrections are always appreciated!
Please contact
Susan T. Miller
1411 West Childs Street
Wheaton, Illinois 60187-4601
U.S.A.
630-682-0108
E-mail GGM81@aol.com
Page built by Gedpage Version 2.03 ©1997 on 11 November 1998