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Mariposa County, California Obituaries

Mariposa County History and Genealogy 

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              Bernardo UBALDI
              September 29, 1883 Mariposa Gazette
              (submitted by W. Disbro)

              Poor Bernardo UBALDI, who lived with his family in Yosemite Valley, after a hard struggle for life, yielded
              to that disease known as Bronchitis, in Sonora, Tuolumne Co., on Wednesday the 19th instant. He had been
              suffering for about a year, and his disease was hastened by a unfortunate trip he took into the mountains
              above Yosemite Valley, as a guide for some tourist, wherein he took a severe cold, which so aggravated his
              bronchial affection, that from that time on he gradually grew worse, and with all his efforts to obtain
              relief from medical skill here and San Francisco and elsewhere, all proved unavailing. The deceased has
              lived for many years about Coulterville and the Valley, was well known as an industrious man, and well
              liked by all who knew him. He was intelligent, possessed of excellent traits of character, amiable
              disposition, and an affectionate husband. His most loving wife is all the relative he leaves here in the
              State, that we are aware of, to morn his loss. We find the following notice in the Union "Democrat,"
              Sonora, since the above was written: Wednesday morning, Bernardo UBALDI, formerly a merchant in Yosemite
              Valley, died very suddenly at the City Hotel, of pleuro- pneumonia. He was buried under the auspices of the
              I.O.O.F., of which he was a member.

              UBALDI- In Sonora, Tuolumne County, September 19th, 1883, Bernardo UBALDI, aged 33 years, a native of
              Italy. Deceased was a resident of Yosemite Valley, where he leaves a wife. September 29, 1883 Mariposa
              Gazette
 
 

              Dr. N.I. UNDERWOOD at Coulterville
              Mariposa Free Press February 28, 1863
              (submitted by William Disbro)

              On Saturday morning, February 21st, Dr. N. I. UNDERWOOD, a native of Kentucky, recently as resident of
              Sacramento City, aged 33 years. Sudden Death - We are pained to have to repost the death of Dr. Underwood
              has been a resident of Coulterville for several months, having been engaged in directing and managing the
              affairs of the Iona Copper Mining Company. During his residence there he made many warm friends, and was
              universally respected by the community. He was an active business man, ever ready to take the lead in
              measures of public interest, and was relied on by all who knew him, as a man of integrity, scientific
              accquirements, and liberal views. His loss will be severely felt. His funeral took place on Sunday last.
 

           UREN, Simon
              October 11, 1890 Mariposa Gazette
              (submitted by W. Disbro)

                   Mr. Simon UREN died very suddenly last Monday, at the residence of his son-in-law, Mr. Frank PALMER,
              at CHOWCHILLA. Mr. UREN was injured at one time, in a mine in Nevada and has never been quite well since.
              He has been suffering for a time, from what was thought to be a common cold. On Monday morning, he arose
              apparently as well as common and after an attack of coughing, went to the door to expectorate, when Mr.
              PALMER heard a strange noise, and began dressing in haste, to go to him, but before he could reach him life
              was extinct. He had ruptured a main artery, and death was almost instantaneous. Mr. UREN formerly lived in
              Mariposa, and was much respected by all who knew him. His wife was in Nevada and could not reach here in
              time to see him. He was a native of Cornwall, England, and was 62 years old age. The funeral took place on
              Wednesday, in Mariposa, under the auspices of the Masonic
              fraternity.
 
 

              Howard Van CAMPEN
              DECEMBER 19, 1874Mariposa Gazette
              (submitted by W Disbro)
 

              At Sumner, December 8TH, Howard Van CAMPEN, a native of Allenghany County, New York, aged 21 years 7 month and 19 days. [Mr. Van CAMPEN was a  young man of promise, having a warm heart and cheerful disposition, which drew around him a large circle of friends, who morn his untimely loss. By his death and aged mother is bereft of a dutiful son, a sister of a loving brother, a brother of his bosom friend and constant companion, and the community loses a useful              citizen.]

              Little HENRY VANCAMPEN

              January 15, 1876 Mariposa Gazette

              (submitted by William Disbro)

              Little HENRY, only son of Ira D. VANCAMPEN, aged three years, died January 5, 1876.
 

              VAN CAMPEN, Ira
              Sept. 17,1881 Mariposa Gazette
              (submitted by W. Disbro)

              SUICIDE - On Friday of last week, September 9, news was brought to town that Ira D. VAN CAMPEN, an old
              resident of the county, whose ranch is in the neighborhood of Indian Gulch about five miles from Hornitos,
              had committed suicide by shooting himself in the head with a rifle. Owing to financial and family troubles,
              Mr. VAN CAMPEN had been in a state of despondency for some time prior to the fatal act. For four days
              immediately preceding his death his brother William was in constant attendance upon him, except when rest
              from exhaustion, was required. Quite early on Friday morning, when all were sleeping soundly, Ira proceeded
              to the fatal deed by systematically arranging the rifle and holding it to his forehead, the trigger was
              pulled and the top of his head mostly blown off. An inquest was held which found a verdict of death caused
              by his own hand. He was a native of Alleghany County, New York, and came to California in 1852. Deceased
              was buried besides his little son at the home, which is now left desolate.
 
 

           JAMES M. VAN DYKE, Died
              February 21, 1863 issue of the Mariposa Free Press
              (submitted by William Disbro)

              In Mariposa, on Wednesday, February 18th,aged 42 years- Mr. VAN DYKE was a native of Philadelphia, from
              which place he emigrated to California early in the year 1849. He was one of the pioneer settlers of
              Mariposa, where he came in 1850, and was engaged in mining until 1852, when he turned his attention to
              Mercantile pursuits, but though imprudent management, liberality and ill luck, was not one of the fortunate
              class. He was a man of noble generous nature, a geniel companion in the social circle, and was highly
              esteemed by those who knew him best, for these qualities, and that sterling intgrity which constitutes the
              principle element of that " noblest work of God- an honest man"- His errors partook more of the nature of
              weaknesses than faults. The grave shrouded them, together with all that was mortal of there possesor from
              human kin. His memory will live in the hearts of those who knew him well, and the tear of honest friendship
              keep green the sods over his humble grave.
 

             Stockton Daily Independent

                 VASHE, Margaret
                Died at Hornitos, Jan 6th, wife of Joseph VASHE, aged 29 years, 21 days.
                 transcribed by  Dee S

           VASQUEZ Died
              October 21, 1882 Mariposa Gazette
              (submitted by W Disbro)

              At County Hospital, Mariposa, Oct. 17, 1882, Manuel VASQUEZ, native of Chile, age 54.
 

           VELGOTH,  Freddie
              December 1, 1877 Mariposa Gazette
              (submitted by W Disbro)
              In Fresno, Nov. 24th, of diphteria Freddie, son of William and Angusta VELGOTH, aged 1 year, 10 months and
              17 days.
 

              VELLGUTH, Max William
              November 24, 1877 Mariposa Gazette
              (submitted by W Disbro)

              In Fresno, Nov. 19th of Diptheria, Max William, oldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. VELLGUTH, aged 6 years and 6 months.

              LEROY VINING
              Mariposa Free Press MAY 9, 1863
              (submitted by William Disbro)

              At Aurora, Mono County, April 27th, 1863, Mr. LEROY VINING, aged 40 years. Death of Former Resident of
              Mariposa, at Aurora. A correspondent at Aurora, Mono county, sends us the following under the date of April
              28th: "I regret to inform you that our old and much esteemed friend LEROY VINING has gone to his long home;
              he died yesterday, the 27th inst., at 7 o'clock A.M., from the effects of a wound inflicted in the lower
              part of the abdomen by the accidental discharge of a deringer that he had in his pocket; he lived 36 hours
              after the accident occurred, during which time he suffered a great deal. He was decently buried to-day, and
              a large number of people attended his funeral. Leroy was well known as one of the pioneers of this place
              and was universally respected as a noble hearted, generous and high minded gentleman, and he leaves behind
              many friends who deeply deplore the sad event which cut him off from amongst them, and who will ever
              cherish a kind rememberance of the many noble qualities and virtues of which he was possessed.

           VREELAND, Elias
              San Joaquin Republican, April 22, 1855:
              (submitted by Joshua Reader)

              Murder --The Union Democrat says that a man named Elias Vreeland was shot and instantly killed by a number
              of Chilenos, at Coultersville, Mariposa County, on Saturday night last, as he was leaving a fandango house.
              Some twenty shots was fired at him. Mr. V. was formerly from New York."

            WAGNER, Charles Jr.
              June 23, 1888 Mariposa Gazette
              (submitted by W. Disbro)

              Obituary

                   One of the largest funeral processions ever witnessed in Coulterville, was the one that followed all that was mortal of Charles WAGNER Jr. to his grave on        Wednesday June 13th. Deceased was aged about 15 years and the only son of Charles WAGNER a worthy and esteemed    citizen of Coulterville.  This young man who so early in life surrendered to the sad call of death, was beloved by all who knew him, and his untimely death is universally lamented.        Mr. WAGNER and daughters have the sincere sympathy of all in this great and irreparable affliction, they suffer in the loss of a loving and dutiful son and     brother.

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              Mrs. Dan WAGNER
              January 31, 1885 Mariposa Gazette
              (submitted by W. Disbro)

              Death of Mrs. Dan WAGNER

                 The death of Mrs. Daniel WAGNER, of Coulterville, in Stockton on the 23rd instant, will be a source of great sorrow to a host of friends and acquaintances,  who knew her but to love her, and held her in the highest estimation, as a lady of a most exemplary character. For many years she was known as the hostess of    the Coulterville Hotel, which suffered the ravages of fire a few years ago. The society of Coulterville and the community generally, in which she has lived so   long, will miss those welcome smiles that reflected the soul and kindness of a noble women. In her departure, the relatives and friends have lost a true friend, and   her husband a good wife, one whose love and devotion to him can never be replaced. The bereaved husband and relatives have the fullest sympathy of a multitude of friends in this irreparable loss.

           Wallace, Sarah

              Mariposa Gazette, January 21, 1911
              (submitted by Tom Hilk)
 

              Died in Oakland Mrs. Sarah E. Wallace, widow of the late William J. Wallace, and a pioneer of Mariposa County, died in Oakland on Monday of this week, aged 64 years, 3 months, and 11 days. Mrs. Wallace was one of the early settlers of this county, having come here when but a girl with her father, the late Judge    Wasburn, in the '50's. She was married in this county in 1865, and all the children of the family were born here. For many years the deceased was a resident of        Cathey's Valley where her late husband was engaged in Farming. From Cathey's Valley the family moved to Fresno, and after the death of her husband, Mrs.   Wallace went to Oakland and made her home with her children. Five sons and three daughters survive. The many friends of the aged lady in this county will  regret to hear of her death.

              WALLER, Bennie

              November 29, 1890 Mariposa Gazette
              (submitted by W. Disbro)

              OBITUARY.

              WALLER- At White Rock, November 14th, 1890, Bennie youngest child of Mr. and Mrs. A. WALLER, aged 23 months, after a brief illness, passed away.      The funeral took place on Saturday the 15th instant, at 2 o'clock P.M. A large number of people were present at the funeral ceremony, which was conducted    by the Rev. T. L. JONES, who chose for the subject of his remarks, II Samuel, 12-13. "I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me."    The remains were interred in Mr. Lewis' cemetery, there to remain until the resurrection morn.       The neighbors all sympathize with the family in there bereavement, but "They sorrow not as those which have no hope."   Once we had a fragrant blossom,  Full of sweetness, full of love,But the angels came and plucked it  For the beauteous realm above.      Little Bennie was our darling,                    Pride of all the hearts at home,  But the angels floating lightly,  Came an whispered, " Bennie come."

              Albert Massey WARD

              Mariposa Free Press JUNE 13, 1863
              (submitted by William Disbro)

              In Mariposa, June 7th, ALBERT MASSEY WARD, youngest son of Dr. W.W. and Mrs. E. WARD; aged, 23 months.
 
 

           WARD, Florence

              February 14th, 1888 Mariposa Gazette
              (Submitted by W. Disbro)
 
 

                 We are sorry to learn of the death of Miss Florence WARD, daughter of our worthy citizens Mr. and Mrs. Granville WARD, of Pea Ridge. She died at Visalia on  last Tuesday of measles. She was about 18 years of age and was attending school at Visalia, where she would have soon graduated. This is a sad calamity to the  family, whose bereavement will be felt in sorrow by many friends.

              WARD, Granville
              September 20, 1890 Mariposa Gazette
              (submitted by W. Disbro)

              Death of Granville WARD
 

               The people of Mariposa and surrounding country were surprised; on Saturday last to hear of the death of Granville WARD, one of the old citizens of the Lewis    neighborhood. Mr. WARD has been a large stockraiser and rancher in this county for many years, and was always considered as one among our best citizens,   quiet, industrious, and conscientious in his dealings with his neighbors. He had not been in very good health for some time, suffering from an accumulation of         fatty matter around the heart, but up to eight days prior to his death he was able to go around and attend to his accustomed duties. Eight days before he died, he was returning from Plainsburg, when his horse jerked him around, and broke away from him, causing him to run quite a distance, which added to his feeble   health, hastened his death. He leaves a widow and a large family to mourn his loss. The WARD family has been severely afflicted during the past two years, this  being the fifth death which has occurred in it within that time. Two daughter, one son, a brother of Mr. WARD, and now himself. The funeral on Sunday was    largely attended.

              WARD, Granville

              September 15, 1888 Mariposa Gazette
              (submitted by W. Disbro)

              WAWONA ITEMS.

                 Bruce LEITCH writing from Wawona, under date of Sept. 12th, sends to us the following in regard to the accidental death of young Granville WARD. He says: I   send you the verdict of the jury in the inquest on the body of young WARD. His name was Granville Lafayete WARD, aged 16 years, born in Mariposa. He shot   himself accidentally in the left temple at Monroe Meadows, 18 miles from Yosemite Valley on the Glacier Point Road at about quarter past two o'clock on  Saturday Sept. 8th, 1888. The pistol with which he shot himself was the first one he had ever handled and he was not used to fire arms. It goes to show how  careful the parents of boy's should be in allowing them to handle firearms of any kind. The following is the verdict of the jury.

                 We the jury summoned to inquire into the death of Granville L. WARD, find that he came to his death by a pistol shot in the left temple fired from a pistol in the  hands of said Granville L. WARD. We further find that said shot was fired accidentally.

              Isaac WARD
              July 27, 1889 Mariposa Gazette
              (submitted by W Disbro)

              Near Lewis', Mariposa County, July 21st, 1889, Isaac WARD, a native of Virginia aged 65 years.
 
 

              WARD, Russel H.
              April 19, 1890 Mariposa Gazette
              (submitted by W. Disbro)

              Gone to Rest.
              An Old Pioneer Of Merced County Passes Away.

                  The following notice of Russel H. WARD, so well-known to all the legal fraternity in this part of the State, is from the Merced Express, which also publishes  the highly eulogistic and appropriate resolutions presented by the Bar Association, of Merced county, to the Court, Hon. J. M. CORCORAN, of Mariposa county, presiding.     Russel H. WARD, a prominent lawyer of Merced, died at his residence, on 21st Street, in this place, on Wednesday evening last, after an illness of about 10 days, from a complication of diseases. The deceased removed from the State of Arkansas to California in the year 1852, when about sixteen years of age. He remained in Southern California until the following year, when he removed to Tuolumne County, and there resided until about 1860, thence to Merced County,  where he has resided continuously until his death. Mr. WARD has filled, at different times, honorable official positions in this county. In 1865, he was elected a      member of the Assembly, and served his constituents with honor and distinction. Upon his return from duties as Assemblyman, he was admitted to practice law   in all the Courts of the 13th Judicial District of the State of California, and has followed his profession ever since. He was twice elected District Attorney of  Merced County, which office he filled with credit to himself and satisfaction to the taxpayers. As a lawyer he stood in the first ranks, and was always true and        faithful to his clients. For several years he has been in feeble health, but his great energy and indomitable will sustained him until his vital machinery gave out  and he had to succumb to the will of Him who said " Dust thou art and unto dust thou shalt return." He leaves a wife, three daughters and three sons to mourn  the loss of a devoted husband and father. He leaves hosts of friends behind who have been steadfast in his life time, and who deeply sympathize with his family   in their bereavement.

   Death of a Pioneer

              WARD, William

              Oct. 19, 1881 Mariposa Gazette
              (submitted by W. Disbro)
 

              Dr. William WARD, for many years resident of Mariposa county, and a California Pioneer, died at Altamount, Alameda County, Monday, the 24th instant, and    the funeral will take place at two o'clock this afternoon from the Central M. E. Church in this city. Deceased was a gentleman of fine mental culture, brilliant in his  profession, and kindly and hospitable in disposition. The sad tidings of his death will be received with sorrow by his many friends in Mariposa and elsewhere in    the State. Deceased leaves few relatives- one son, who resides in Mariposa, and a cousin, Judge John H. STANLEY, of San Francisco.- Stockton Independent,   October 26. Thirty-two years ago on the 13th day of September last, we were one of a band of adventurers numbering about thirty, who left their native homes,   relatives and friends, sacrificing worldly comforts and a competency bequeathed by our ancestors, all to gratify an insatiable desire to acquire heaps of gold        which so brilliantly loomed up on the horizon of our electric imaginations, and which became a general epidemic throughout the land in the days of '49.
              Thirty-two years ago Dr. W.W. WARD was a companion with us as we entered what is now the sacred precinct of Mariposa. Our little band of thirty is now  diminished in number- we can only find three or four left. Billy Evans of Bear Valley, old John ALLEN living somewhere in the Chowchilla region, and poor old   negro Oscar, who is somewhat demented; he can't remember much about crossing the plains, except the killing of many a fat rattlesnake. There is one other whom   we came near to forgetting, Thos. EARLY, formerly Sheriff of this county, who has for several years been confined in the Insane asylum at Stockton. To the best    of our recollection and information, there are but four or five left today of the hopeful band of fellows with whom we camped upon the golden banks of Mariposa   Creek in the days of '49. Dr. Ward was a man of intelligence and well educated in his profession as a physician. Had he studiously applied himself to his       profession while in California, he could have enjoyed heaps of gold he was always seeking to find otherwise than by utilizing his profession. Who next of our little band is to cross the mortal threshold? The number is narrowing down; perhaps we are listed for the next boat.

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JAMES W WARFORD
Modesto Bee and News-Herald, November 17, 1947
Former County Assessor Dies After Long Illness
MARIPOSA, Nov 17- Funeral services for James W Warford, 61, former Mariposa County assessor, will be held at 11 AM tomorrow in the Tiscornia & Ivers Funeral Home here. Rev. Donald H Baldwin, Mreced, will officiate.  Burial will be in Mariposa Cemetery.
Warford died Saturday at Ahwahnee Sanitorium after a lingering illness.
Surviving him are his widow, Mrs. Phyllis Warford, Mariposa, and a son, James Warford, Yreka; two brothers, Harold and John Warford, Alameda, and a sister Mrs. Margaret Chabot, San Francisco.
Warford's body will repose at the Ivers & Alcorn Mission Chapel Merced, until Tuesday morning,  cferoben

(see the Madera County Library site for the history of the Ahwahnee Sanitorium)

              DEATH OF A. H. WASHBURN
              Mariposa Gazette, November 1, 1902
              (submitted by Tom Hilk)
 

              Untimely End of an Active and Useful Life. The death of A. H. WASHBURN, which occurred in San Francisco last Saturday, was a shock to many of our people  who knew him well and to whom he had endeared himself by many acts of kindness.

              A. H. Washburn, one of California's sturdy citizens, a pioneer and without doubt the greatest of all developers of Yosemite Valley, passed away suddenly and   peacefully at a private sanitarium in this city early yesterday (Saturday) morning. When life left the old mountaineer's body the State lost one of its grandest  characters - a man who had never intentionally wrought an evil act and who had scarcely any knowledge of the existence of wrong. Washburn's nominal         residence was San Francisco, but the greater portion of the past half century was spent in the rugged fastnesses of the beautiful valley he called his own,  surrounded by the environments of nature that won his adoration in childhood. Those who are left to mourn are by no means limited to the Golden State.   Celebrities of the world have followed the pioneer over the precipitous paths that led to splendid scenery, and in taking their departure have carried with them a   remembrance of his fine character. Washburn was born in Vermont sixty-six years ago. He was a stanch Green Mountain boy. In the early fifties he came to the   coast and located a Bridgeport, Mariposa County. When Galen Clark discovered the Big Tree Grove Washburn entered the Yosemite Valley and at once  commenced to prepare roads and footways that would render access to the interior easy. He constructed roads from Merced, Madera and Raymond, after having  run a wagon road to Mariposa and a saddle trail to the end of the route. When Charles Crocker, father of Colonel C. F. Crocker, asked Washburn why he did not       complete the wagon road he replied that he had not the necessary funds. Crocker then backed him and he built a road to Wawona into the heart of the valley. Since that time Washburn had done more than any other man in constructing and improving passages, and expended thousands of dollars in such work. At the time of his death he had over 400 horses employed in the transportation of tourists, and it is estimated that during his lifetime he guided over 75,000 visitors     through the paradise that had entranced him in his youth. Among the later were men of title and of foreign climes. Presidents Hayes, Grant and Garfield saw the valley under his direction, and only recently several celebrities made the trip with him.        Washburn was taken ill one week ago Wednesday. His condition was serious for a time, but on Friday evening he improved and was considered out of danger.   The physician in attendance pronounced the malady one of ptomaine poisoning and prescribed for such. Shortly after 3 o'clock yesterday morning a blood vessel burst in the patient's brain and he passed away soon afterward. He leaves a wife and a daughter, Mrs. Charles HIGGINS; two grandchildren, Charles H. HIGGINS, Jr. and Henrietta HIGGINS, and two brothers, E. H. WASHBURN and John W. WASHBURN. The later reside at Wawona. The funeral took place at 12 o'clock Tuesday from St. Paul's Episcopal Church on California Street. It was very largely attended and the chancel was banked with beautiful floral offerings, of which there were an unusual number from the many friends of the deceased. There was a large representation of railroad men present at the services and many  prominent business men of this city. The services were conducted by Rev. W. M. REILLY, rector of the church. The honorary pallbearers were: M. S. WILSON,

              Thomas R. HAYES, D. W. HITCHCOCK, J. P. IRISH, J. H. GOODMAN, L. F. ROWELL and R. H. PATT. The active pall bearers were chosen from among the old  stage drivers, some of whom had driven the Yosemite stages in early days and since the line was first established by Mr. Washburn. It was very affecting to see   them do this last honor to the man they had known and loved as a friend. There were: S. H. OWENS. J. J. WHITE, Tom GORDON, Henry HEDGES, San WREN,  James WARNER, C. K. SALMON and S. J. ASHWORTH.

              Mrs. Jean Bruce Washburn

              Mariposa Gazette, Feb. 6, 1904
              (submitted by T Hilk)
 

              Death of Mrs. Washburn widow of the late Henry Washburn of the Yosemite Stage and Turnpike Company, and known as "The Poetess of Yosemite," died at  her home, 2525 Fillmore street, January 30th, after a prolonged illness. Mrs. Washburn was an accomplished and brilliant woman and her poems had a high reputation in the East as well as in California. Particularly beautiful were her many verses of familiar spots in Yosemite valley, where she spent all her summers until the last few years, when invalidism confined her to her city home. Her poem on the valley itself has been recited by many famous tourists. During the Civi War she wrote several patriotic verses which became popular and her poem on flogging in the Navy led to Congress abolishing the custom.
              Mrs. WASHBURN was one of the first to visit Yosemite, going in with her husband on horseback. She named the Virgin's tears falls, which recent year were  especially large and beautiful. She was full of womanly grace, generous and kindly, and beloved by mountain and city friends as a good neighbor and a true  friend. She leaves a daughter, Mrs. Charles HIGGINS. Funeral services were held at her home yesterday morning and her remains will be cremated at 10 o'clock        today (Monday) at the Odd Fellows cemetery. – San Francisco Chronicle. Mrs. Washburn was well known to many of our older inhabitants, having lived here for    many years. It was here that she and A. H. WASHBURN were married on December 18, 1865.

              JOHN S WASHBURN
              Mariposa Gazette, Saturday, June 28, 1917
              (submitted by Tom Hilk)
 

              PIONEER HOTEL MAN CALLED BY DEATH Known to Californians and world tourists generally as the pioneer stage and hotel man of Yosemite park, John S.      Washburn died at the age of 78 Thursday night, at the Fabiola hospital in Oakland, following a long illness.     Mr. Washburn was born in Randolph Vermont, December 30, 1838, where he spent his youth, arriving in San Jose in 1874. He returned east during that year and   again coming to the State in 1875, settled at Wawona, Mariposa County. He was a brother of and associated with the late Henry Washburn, who established     stage lines running from Merced, Madera and Raymond to Yosemite and the Mariposa grove of big trees. He is survived by his widow, who is the daughter of    the late Thomas Hill, a well known artist of this state, and a son Clarence A. WASHBURN. The funeral was held on Monday, interment being private.

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              AGNES WASS

              Mariposa Gazette  Thursday, November 11, 1999
              (submitted by Chriss Kleiman)

               Agnes Wass, a long time resident of Mariposa, died Nov. 5 at the family ranch on Allred Road.

               Mrs. Wass was born in San Francisco on June 1, 1904.  Her parents and grandparents were early settlers in Mariposa.  She married Herman Wass on Dec. 10,   1921, and they made their home and raised their family on the Wass Ranch.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Herman Wass, in October 1981, and one son, Ernest Clinton, on Aug 27, 1963.  Mrs. Wass is survived by three sons, James and Melvin Wass of Mariposa and Alfred Wass of Walla Walla Wash., two daughters, Lois Sparks of Mariposa and Edna Washburn of Atwater, 15grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren.
               Funeral serviced were held Wednesday Nov 10 at 1pm at the Mariposa Funeral Home.  Burial immediately followed at the Mariposa Cemetery.  Memorial Contributions may be made to friends of Hospice.

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WASS, Elisa A.
Le Grand Advocate, January 6, 1933

Elisa A. Wass Dies Sunday At Ranch Home

Funeral services were held in Mariposa Tuesday afternoon for Mrs. Eliza
A. Wass, 67, native of Mariposa county, who died at the home Sunday
morning. Services were in charge of the Welch and Griffin funeral home
of Merced.

Mrs. Wass was the wife of Louis M. Wass, Mariposa rancher. She was born
March 15, 1865 in Mariposa county and had spent practically her entire
life in the vicinity.

Surviving are the husband six sons and daughters, a sister and two
brothers. Sons and daughters are Mrs. Ethel De Moss of Le Grand, William
H. Wass of Usona, Louis M. Wass of Le Grand, Herman Wass and Fred Wass
of Mariposa and Mrs. Aileen Phillips of Usona. Mrs. Nora Gardon [sic] of
Mariposa is the sister and Joel Ashworth of Raymond and Jack Ashworth of
Wawona are the brothers.
(submitted by Tom Hilk

 

              WASS, Eliza A.
              Merced Express, Jan. 6, 1933
              (Submitted by Thomas Hilk)

              MARIPOSA WOMAN IS CALLED BY DEATH

              Mrs. Eliza A. Wass, aged 67 years, wife of Louis M. Wass, Mariposa county ranch, died at her home Sunday morning. Funeral services in charge of Welch &   Griffin were held Tuesday afternoon in Mariposa. Mrs. Wass was born in Mariposa county March 15, 1865, and had spent practically her entire life there.  Surviving are the husband, six sons and daughters, two brothers and a sister. The brothers are Joel Ashworth of Raymond and Jack Ashworth of Wawona; the  sister is Mrs. Nora Gordon of Mariposa; the sons are William H. Wass of Usona, L. M. Wass of Mariposa; the daughters are Mrs. Ethel DeMoss of Le Grand and  Mrs. Aileen Phillips of Usona.

---

ELLA WASS
Modesto Bee and News-Herald , March 11 1940
Rites are Held For Mr. Ella P Wass
Final rites were held in the SHannon Chapel this morning for Mrs. Ella P Wass , 83, who died suddenly Firday in the home of her daughter, Mrs. Maude Jones, at 416 Melrose Street.
Rev T Ross Paden officiated, and interment was in teh Citizens Cemetery.
Mrs. Wass, a native of West Virginia, had resided here two years, coming from Mariposa County.
Besider her daughter, she leaves her husband, William Wass of Modesto; a sister Olive Pierpont of Redlands, and a brother, George B Pierpont of West Virginia.  cferoben

---

Ernie WASS
Modesto Bee and News-Herald, August 28, 1963
Tractor Kills Road Worker
MARIPOSA, Mariposa Co.
Funeral services will be held at 2 PM tomorrow in the Tiscornia & Ivers Chapel for Ernest C Wass, 25, who suffered fatal injuries yesterday when a tractor fell on him as he worked on a road department project at Higheays 140 and 49.
Burial will be in the Mariposa Cemetery.
Wass, a native of Mariposa, was employed by the Mariposa County Road Department.
He leaves his widow Marjorie, a son Rickey, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Herman Wass of Mariposa; three brothers, James, Melvin and Alfred Wass, all of Mariposa; two sisters, Mrs. Lois Sparks of Mariposa and Mrs. Edna Ashburn of Atwater, Merced County.  c feroben

Ernest Q WASS
Fresno Bee Republican, Aug 28, 1963
Road Employe (sic) is Crushed by 16 Ton Loader
MARIPOSA, Mariposa Co. - Ernest Q. Wass, 25, a county road department employe(sic), was killed late yesterday when a 16 ton skip loader he was operating rolled over and crushed him.
The accident occurred while he was working on a road in the Campbell Tract.
Roand Commissioner Howard Bell says his death was the first fatality in the department's history.  c feroben

---

Le Grand News, November 21, 1947
Le Grand Advocate- submitted by Tom Hilk

Lewis M. Wass, Pioneer, Dies in Mariposa

Funeral services were conducted Wednesday afternoon at 2 p.m.  At Mariposa for the late Lewis Maxwell Wass, 87, who died Sunday, Nov. 16th, at his home in Mariposa.  Wass, a retired farmer, had lived in Mariposa for 66 years. He was a native of Virginia. Services were held at the Tiscornia and Ivers Funeral Home with Rev. Earl Savage officiating.

The deceased is survived by five sons, Herman, Fred, Richard and W. H. Wass of Mariposa, and Louis Wass of Le Grand; two daughters, Mrs. Ethel DeMoss and Mrs. Arlene Phillips of Mariposa. Other surviving are one sister and three brothers all of West Virginia.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Death Notice from the Modesto Bee, July 18, 1942, p 7
WASS, William Morgan

WASS - in Modesto, July 17 - William Morgan,  father of  Mrs. Maud M. Jones of Modesto, grandfather of Edwin and Benjamin Mann and Emma Lee Fernback; brother of Louis Wass of Mariposa, Alice Goff, Peter, Charles, Roy and H.E. Wass, all of West Virginia, aged 85 years. Friends are invited to attend the funeral services Monday morning at 11 o'clock at the Shannon Chapel, Sixteenth and
I streets.   Rev. T. Ross Paden officiating.  Interment.  Citizens Cemetery.

Transcribed by Judy Ewbank

From Cemeteries of Stanislaus County, California Volume V, Modesto Citzens' Cemetery

WASS   William M   b 1857 WV   d Jul 17, 1942 Modesto
             85 y 5 m 28 d   SEC C TR 13 GR 30    #3125

WASS   Ella P         b 1856 WV   d Mar 08, 1940 Modesto
             83 y 4 m 1 d     SEC C TR 13 gr 29      #2722

The # refers to the burial certificate at the Cemetery.

              Mrs. Elizabeth E. WATTS

              Mariposa Gazette JANUARY 22, 1876
              (submitted by William Disbro)

              At Mussel Slough, Tulare County, January 15th, 1876, aged about 80.
 
 

              WEBER, Captain

              May, 14, 1881 Mariposa Gazette
              (submitted by W. Disbro)

              Stockton's founder and Greatest Philanthropist Gone.

              We publish in another column, on the first page, a notice of the death of one of California's earliest pioneers, announced in the Stockton Herald of May 4th. We first met with Captain WEBER in Stockton in October 1849. We were there at the time from Mariposa with a small pack train of our own for the purpose of laying    in a supply of provisions for winter. Stockton then was but a small village of canvass tents, there being but one board house standing on the bank of the slough    near the foot of Centre street, and known as WEBER'S old store or trading post. From 1850 to the fall of 1854 we resided in Stockton, where we were engaged in    the express and stage business. Our office, which was situated on Levees near the corner of Centre Street, was the principle business mart of the town. The  arrival every morning of a steamboat from San Francisco loaded with passengers destined for every prominent point in the southern mines, booking passengers    and collecting fares- $25 each, two days through to Sonora, Mokelumne Hill or Mariposa, all anxious to get off to the gold fields, where they expected to bag a  fortune in a few days made it at that time a lively and exciting business for the office of "Reynolds & Co.'s Express and Stage Office," the only one of its kind at that time in Stockton. One department of our office was a newspaper, stationary and periodical depot, which attracted a great deal of attention and interest at that  early period. Mr. WEBER, the subject of our sketch, was a constant visitor, and for two years and upwards, as certain as the sun went down and the office was  eliminated for the evening, he was equally certain to appear and spend a hour or two in perusing the newspapers and looking through the stationary department.  He wore an unobtrusive manner, was extremely courteous, agreeable in conversation, and, notwithstanding his great wealth, he was not above yielding to the    necessities of many poor people in want of homes. He would give them city lots to build upon and acres of land outside the city limits to cultivate, which      afterwards resulted in fortunes to many of those so beneficently contributed to. If our memory serves us correctly, he was married to a Miss MURPHY, a  beautiful lady resident of San Jose, or somewhere in that section of California, in 1850. Upon his arrival home in Stockton with his bride, it was deemed necessary  to have a convivial of some sort, sometimes styled an infair, in commemoration of the important event. A few friends and acquaintances were gathered in, and the  next thing in importance to make the little party agreeable was music. Stockton was traversed over and over in search of someone who could play the fiddle  suitable for a dance, but no one could be found. By some means it leaked out that we could play a violin, and we were pressed into service for the occasion, terminating with a enjoyable time. We speak of this simply as a pleasurable reminiscence connected with Captain WEBER, the founder of Stockton, whose name,  accompanied with many excellent virtues, will always be an interesting chapter of its early history. The event of the funeral, which took place on the 7th instant,    an account of which we publish in another column of this paper, taken from the Evening Mail, a daily paper published in Stockton, goes to prove that the citizens  of that city en masse were fully appreciative of the loss they had sustained in the death of one whose noble impulses predominated with love and philanthropy   for the citizens of one of the greatest commercial cities of the Pacific Coast, and of which he was the founder. Too much cannot be said or written in praise of this  great and good man. Trading post. From 1850 to the fall of 1854 we resided in Stockton, where we were engaged in the express and stage business.
 

---

 
 

EDDIE WEBB, 82, STAGECOACH DRIVER, DIES
Modesto Bee- Feb 2nd, 1962
Sonora- Eddie WEBB, 82, of Shaws Flat, believed to be the last of this
area's old time stagecoach drivers, died this morning in a local
hospital after a short illness.

A native of Snelling, Merced County, he began driving a stagecoach when
he was 17 and continued until the sage line quit in 1933. He drove for
K. K. STODDARD on the Merced to Yosemite run.

After the stagecoaches became obsolete, he began acquiring them as well
as buggies, harness and other articles of the horse drawn era for use in
motion pictures.

                    IN HIGH NOON

Before his death he valued his collection at more than $250,000.
His buggies, wagons and coaches were featured in more than 12 movies
including High Noon and Silver City.
WEBB leaves a brother , Joe WEBB of Merced Falls, Merced County; three
sisters, Mrs. Mattie FOUNTS of Merced, Mrs Maude THOMAS of Modesto and
Mrs. Anna FRANCIS of Hughson, and several nieces and nephews.
Services are pending in the Terzich and Wilson Funeral Home.
contributed by Emerson Harvey

---

Merced Sun Star, Friday August 29, 1980, p. 9

           WEILER, John

              October 29, 1892 Mariposa Gazette
              (submitted by W. Disbro)

              John WEILER.

                  Early last Monday morning, John WEILER breathed his last, after an illness which had extended over several weeks. Mr. WEILER was among our oldest residents, and was well known all over the county. He had at one time been a prosperous business man, but poor health and reverses had come with later years. Always a quite and well respected citizen, he had many friends throughout Mariposa county. He was a member, both of the Masonic and Odd Fellows' Lodges   of this town. Both orders turned out to bury him but he was buried in the Masonic yard under their auspices. Many friends and acquaintances followed him to   the grave. He left a widow and four children.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________-

              August 12, 1893 Mariposa Gazette
              (submitted by W. Disbro)

              Thomas WELCH, one of Mariposa's pioneers of 1853, died in San Francisco, Aug. 7th. He was well known in Sherlocks.  

                William E. WELLS

              February 15,1863 Mariposa Free Press
              (submitted by W Disbro)

              In Cathey's Valley, on Thursday, January 29th, aged 50 years and 4 months.  

              WEST, Thos.
              Mariposa Gazette November 6, 1877
              (submitted by W Disbro)

              In Mariposa, November 1st, 1875, Thos. C. WEST, a native of Missouri, aged 37 years.

Stockton Daily Independent
Tuesday, 22 Oct 1872

WESTFALL, Colonel

 The Mariposa ‘Gazette’ of Oct. 18th says: Colonel WESTFALL, who has for several years resided in the mountains about 15 miles east of Mariposa, was attacked with paralysis one day last week and completely prostrated, being unable to move a limb or speak, though still retaining his senses. He survived in this dreadful condition until Monday, when death relieved him of his sufferings. Deceased was a native of West Virginia, and about 45 years of age.
transcribed by Dee S

---

WESTFALL, Fremont
Modesto Bee- Friday, November 22, 1940
Fremont Westfall, 78,  a resident of Raymond, Mariposa County, for the past fifty years, died in the Mercy Hospital here yesterday after a brief illness.
Westfall was born in West Virginia and had been a resident of California for fifty five years.  He was engaged in the cattle raising industry until the time of his death.
Surviving Westfall are a widow, Mrs. Isabell Westfall;  a daugher, Mr. Pearl Werley, and two sons, Arch and John Westfall, all of Mariposa County.
Funeral arrangements are pending in the Tiscornia, Ivers & Alcorn Funeral Home in Mariposa. -trancribed by Cferoben

---

WESTFALL, Irene
Modesto Bee and News-Herald  Jan 26, 1970
Former Cook Dies Suddenly At Age of 72
Irene Westfall, 72, became ill in her home at 913 Whittier Ave. Modesto, yesterday and was pronounced dead on arrival at Doctors' Hospital.
Atanislaus County deputy coroners said death appears to be from natural causes. An autoposy wil be held.
Born in Mariposa, she had been a resident of Modesto 35 years. She formerly was a cook in the Modesto Bee cafeteria.
Survivors include six daughters, Helen Eneboe, Lucille Bowen, Doris Weber, Wilma Motulewicz and Mildred Slacks, all of Modesto, and Gladys Wolf of Livermore; seven brothers and sisters, Minnie Woods of Richmond, Wayne Williams of Bear Valley, Verne Williams of Atwater and Alton Williams , Kenneth Williams, Harold Williams and Malcom Williams, all of Mariposa, nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Services will be held at 10 a.n. Wednesday in the Salas Brothers Funeral Chapel. Burail will be in Lakewood Memorial Park- c feroben

           WHEATON, Chas.
              Sept. 28,1878 Mariposa Gazette
 

              Homicide - A homicide occurred at Michael's ranch, on Course Gold Gulch, last Friday. We are unable to learn much of the affair, but from what we can glean it   seems that Chas WHEATON and George JOHNSON got into a dispute over money matters, and from words the parties came to blows. In the melee JOHNSON   stabbed WHEATON in the neck, cutting a frightful gash, and also in the breast, in the region of the heart, besides inflicting  other minor wounds. The affray took     place near the lower end of Michael's fence. There were no witnesses to the affair. After cutting WHEATON, JOHNSON went to Michael's house, where he told   what he had done, and a number of persons at the store went down to the spot where the affray occurred. WHEATON only lived a few moments after they   arrived. WHEATON was a elderly man and was a carpenter by trade. JOHNSON is a new comer and has been mining in the vicinity. He gave himself up and was   brought to this place by Deputy Sheriff PICKETT, and lodged in jail to await examination. There was much indignation expressed over the killing, and we learn   that there was at one time talk of lynching JOHNSON, He, however, claims the killing was done in self defense; that WHEATON first attacked him with a pick  handle. Fresno Expositor of Sept. 25. This is, we understand, the George JOHNSON, a miner, who for many years has resided in this section, and for a long time worked in the Hite mine, at Hite's Cove, and is well known to this community. He is particularly noted here for his peaceable and quiet disposition; he was never  known to have any difficulty that we can hear of, or ever to disturb the peace in any manner. He enjoys the reputation among the people of this section where he is generally known, of being an honest and industrious miner; and the people here express surprise at the sad difficulty in which he s entangled, and give it freely     as an opinion that the difficulty must have been forced upon him by the unfortunate man whom he killed.

           CAROLINE WHITE
              died April 1, 1859- age 26 years, wife of Captain White (this is from a tombstone found at the Mariposa Cemetery - C Feroben)
 
 
 

           Captain White

              March 10, 1877 Mariposa Gazette
              (submitted by William Disbro)
 

              Found Dead- Saturday morning last a Mexican came into town and informed some of our citizens that a man was laying dead in a gulch about a mile north of the  town of Mariposa. A number of citizens went to the place designated, and found the body of Cap. WHITE, a laborer, for some time past in the employ of Jas.MALONE, a miner. Mr. WHITE had been in town on a spree, for a day or two prior to his death, and Thursday, March 1st, started to go home, being under the    influence of liquor. It appears that when he got to the place where his body was found, he lay down to sleep, putting his coat under his head for a pillow. During    the night it began to rain, and it is supposed that he died from exposure. His remains were bought to town and taken charge of by Mr. Malone, who had them   interred in a becoming manner. No quest was held on the body as it was evident that he died from Exposure.

              Benjamin F. WHITE
              March 17, 1877 Mariposa Gazette
              (submitted by William Disbro)
 

              This gentleman whose death occurred near this place, on the 2nd instant, of which notice was given in last weeks paper, was a native of New Hampshire and a  veteran of the Mexican War, where he served as a captain in Caleb CUSHINGS Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers. He came to California in 1849 and has  resided in Mariposa County since 1852, where he followed the pursuit of mining up to the time of his death. He was 65 years old.

              H. H. WHITE
              October 18, 1884 Mariposa Gazette
              (submitted by W. Disbro)
 

                  Death of Dr. H. H. WHITE.

                 We find in the Homer INDEX, published at Lundy, a notice of the death of Dr. H. H. WHITE the dentist. That papers states he died in Bodie on the night of    October 9th of pneumonia after a few hours of illness. For ten years prior to the last two, Dr. WHITE was a frequenter of this section in the business of his    profession, dentistry, and was well known throughout the county. He was a great friend of J. H. MILLER, of Miller's Saloon of this place, and prior to MILLER's          death, when here, the doctor spent most of his leisure moments at Miller's Saloon in company with his friend who he esteemed so highly, and who like himself,   was of a convivial turn of mind and of a lively disposition. The town of Mariposa was never dull when the two got together, and many happy hours have been  spent in their company by a large number who still live and can well recollect the features and smiling faces of the two amiables who were always so cordial and    ready to greet you with a welcome. But both have been called away and their magic laugh and gifted inspirations, with which they had together so many admirers  have ceased, and all is silent as the tomb.  The deceased leaves a wife and two grown children, a daughter and a son, residing in Stockton.

              Joseph WHITE

              Mariposa Gazette APRIL 17, 1875
              (submitted by W Disbro)

              Near Mount Gaines Mill, April 12, 1875, Joseph WHITE, Jr. a native of Louisiana, aged 44 years.
 

              WHITEFIELD
              October 27, 1888 Mariposa Gazette
              (submitted by W. Disbro)
 

                 Sudden Death - Frank CLOW, who was in town on Wednesday last, informs us that the day previous a very sudden death occurred at the home of Mr. and    Mrs. WHITFIELD, on the Bolton Hill, Chowchilla. One of their children, a four-year-old boy, who a few minutes before was playing at the woodpile and not   exceeding 15 minutes after being discovered he was dead. He must have died of strangulation as Mrs. WHITFIELD decided it was the coup; which was, no    doubt, of the worst form, known as membranous croup. Mr. CLOW was in a hurry to return as he said he had made a coffin and that the child was to be buried the next day. Mr. WHITFIELD was temporarily absent when the sad affliction occurred.

              WHITFORD, Frank

              December 30, 1870 Mariposa Free Press
              (submitted by William Disbro)
 

              Shocking Accident - On Friday last, Frank WHITFORD, an employee of the Pine Tree Vein, in Bear Valley, was descending the ladder in the mine with powder   and fuse, when, from some unknown cause, the powder exploded, mangling and mutilating him in a dreadful manner. Both eyes were put out, his nose blown off,   one arm torn off below the elbow, and other portions of his body literally torn in shreds. His mangled remains were born to the surface of the ground, and       notwithstanding the frightful nature of the injuries, the unfortunate man survived an hour and a half- had perfect consciousness of his condition, and dictated his will and gave directions about his affairs. No one knows with any certainty as to the cause of the explosion. Mr. WHITFORD's duty was superintending the  loading and firing of blasts, and at the time of the occurrence had attached to his person a number of cartridges, some fuse and caps. The powder used is a   compound of giant powder and ordinary gun powder, and is called Hercules powder. It only burns slowly upon application of ordinary fire, but explodes by percussion. It is supposed that in descending one of the cartridges may have suddenly struck a rung of the ladder. Mr. WHITFORD has resided in this county several years, and was highly respected by all who knew him. He was a native of Ohio, and forty-two years of age.

              WHITNEY, Eugene A.
              Nov. 16,1878 Mariposa Gazette
              (submitted by W. Disbro)

              Death of Eugene A. WHITNEY - Mr. Eugene A. WHITNEY, a young man but 27> years of age, after a brief illness, died on the 12th inst. Mr. WHITNEY was a   native of Vermont, and came to California six or seven years ago, and has made Mariposa his home ever since. About a year since he married Miss Eugenia   RIDGEWAY of this place, who is left with an infant but a few weeks old, to mourn his untimely taking away. He was a young man of exemplary habits,  industrious, kindhearted and generous to a fault. His death is regretted by the entire community, and the sympathies of a sorrowing people are extended to the     bereaved widow and her orphaned babe.
 

WHITTIER, Major B. F.
 Stockton Daily Argus
 Location: Stockton, San Joaquin Co., CA 

Saturday, 7 July 1860
DEATH of MAJOR WHITTIER -- Major B.F. WHITTIER, of Mariposa, died suddenly at Monoville, on the 23d ult. He was well known in early times by many of our citizens as a successful merchant at Agua Frio. He had served in the Mexican War, and held an appointment under WALKER during the Nicaragua Revolution.

WICKAM, James

              January 14,1882 Mariposa Gazette
              (submitted by W. Disbro)

              Killed by Falling Tree.
              The following dispatch was received at this office about noon on Wednesday last: Ditch Camp. January 9, 1882. Editor Gazette: James WICKAM, residing near      Fish Camp, and about six miles from Big Tree Station, who was well and favorably known to many in this section and Mariposa, was instantly killed near Mr.   Martin DILLON's cabin, about two miles from Fish Camp. The particulars as I learned them from Mr. DILLON, are as follows: Mr. WICHAM went over to Mr.    DILLON's place this morning to assist Mr. DILLON in falling some timber. At about half past two this afternoon, they had just finished chopping down a large fir           tree which in falling, struck a dry tree about midway breaking it in two, the upper half flying back and striking WICKAM in the forehead, killing him instantly.     (signed) E. L. HOWARD Immediately following the dispatch appeared Mr. HOWARD and Mr. DILLON with two horses and wagon, containing a rough box, in    which were deposited the remains of poor WICKAM, who, but a few days since, was here on a visit, stopping at our house. As the remains were being placed    temporarily in the back room of the Templar's Hall, our little boys, who thought so much of " Wick," for little Willie's face was covered with tears, and his grief   was so great, that he refused to eat his regular dinner, which was ready at the time. Deceased was a printer, well known to the fraternity, which profession he           followed from boyhood up to about three years ago, when he took to the mountains and located a timber claim, where he has since been engaged making shakes  and shingles for a livelihood up to the time of his death. He was a man possessed of generous impulses, honest in his business transactions with men, quite  intelligent and industrious. He was a native of Indiana, aged about 50 years. He came to California in an early day, and for the first fifteen years was a roving  printer. He never sought society, and with the exception of little children, was devoid of fraternal love for any one. The next day (Thursday), the remains of the  unfortunate WICHAM were followed by a number of friends and acquaintances to the public cemetery, where the last sad rites were religiously bestowed, and all that remains of him on earth was peacefully laid away to rest.
 
 

           WIGGIN

              MAY 19, 1877 Mariposa Gazette
              (submitted by W. Disbro)

              In Coulterville, May 10th, 1877, M. WIGGIN, a native of Maine, aged 64 years. Maine papers please copy.
 
 

              WILCOX, Ann
              Mariposa Gazette, June 19, 1875
              (submitted by William Disbro)

              In San Francisco, June 16th, 1875, Mrs. Ann WILCOX, wife of Hon. J.W. WILCOX, of Bear Valley, Mariposa County, aged 38 years.
 
 

           WILEY, John W.
              December 12, 1891 Mariposa Gazette
              (submitted by W. Disbro)

              Baxter B. BERRY, an old pioneer of Sebastopol and for twenty years Justice of the Peace, died at his home, this place, Wednesday morning: Just after the corpse      of Mr. BERRY was placed by the pall bearers ready for the ceremony John W. WILEY, another old pioneer, fell from his chair and expired in a few seconds. He      had acted as pall-bearer and had made an extra effort in lifting the corpse up the stairway, which caused his sudden demise.

               WILCOX, John W.

Merced Express, February 11, 1905
DIED.

WILCOX–In San Francisco, February 5, 1905, John W. Wilcox, a native of Frankfort, Ky., aged 72 years 1 month and 8 days.

 Merced Express, February 11, 1905
 "Mariposa Blacksmith" Dead.

John W. Wilcox, "the Mariposa Blacksmith" died at his home in San Francisco last Sunday at the age of 72 years. He was a native of Frankfort, Kentucky. He was one of the pioneers of Mariposa county and in the sixties was elected to the legislature and it was there that he was known as "the Mariposa Blacksmith."   He was noted for his originality and for the last thirty years has led the life of a politician. In the seventies he married Miss Lillie Castor of Merced who, with a daughter, survives him. He and his family have been living in San Francisco for twenty five years. 

            transcribed by Tom Hilk

              John H. Wilkinson
              Mariposa Gazette Nov. 24 1906
              (submitted by Tom Hilk)

              One of the saddest deaths we have been called upon to chronicle is that of John H. WILKINSON, who during the early part of the week died at Sonora, Mexico.    The deceased was a son of J. B. WILKINSON our well known teach, and was a young man whose exemplary habits made him popular. He married a daughter of  the late Ralph BARCROFT of Hornitos and his widow and four children are left to mourn his early demise. Johnny WILKINSON was an educated, industrious   and a God Fearing man and his death in the prime of life is keenly felt by friends as well as by relatives.
 
 

              Mrs. M. Wilkinson (nee Barcroft) October 9, 1940
              (submitted by: Harriet Sturk)

              Dies in Merced Hospital Tuesday
              DEATH CLAMIS PIONEER WOMAN YESTERDAY
              Death in a Merced Hospital claimed the life of Mrs. Mary Barcroft WILKINSON one of Madera's well known retired school instructors late Tuesday.   Mrs.. Wilkinson was born in Hornitos and attended the public schools there and the state normal. She lived in Stockton for several years and was married to   John WILKINSON in Madera October 14, 1893, by Judge Wm. CONLEY. They moved to Mexico where WILKINSON was a distributor for the Victrola Company.    After his death Mrs. WILKINSON moved to Madera with her children where she engaged in teaching school until her retirement two years ago. To mourn her  passing she leaves four children: Mrs. Miriam SCHELL and Mrs. Carol DALY OF Stockton, Mrs. Helen MCFEELEY of Merced and Ralph WILKENSON of
 Salinas, one brother Joe BARCROFT of Madera, and three nephews, Will and Frank BARCROFT of Merced and David BARCROFT of Madera, and four Nieces:   Mr. Isabell NESSLER and Evelyn QUINN of Sacramento, Mrs. Genevieve CONN of Madera and Mrs. Iola BARCROFT-SMITH of Santa Maria. Services will be     held at the St. Joachim's church Friday morning at 8:30 followed by arrangement in the Arbor Vitae cemetery in the BARCROFT Family plot. R. S. Jay is in charge of      the arrangements. Pallbearers were Harry MUNTER, D. P. BARCROFT, A. E. PRECIADO, Merv DALEY, Rex SCHELL AND Y. V. PRECIADO.
 
 
 

              WILLIAMS, Mrs. Eleanor
             Modesto Bee and News-Herald  Dec 10, 1945

WILLIAMS, Robert

              April 24, 1886 Mariposa Gazette
              (Submitted by W. Disbro)

              Death Of Robert WILLIAMS
              Last Sunday morning, April 17th, 1886, at 3 o'clock A. M., after a brief illness, ended the career of the long and arduous life of Robert WILLIAMS. He was a    pioneer to this section, and has followed the business of saloon keeper a greater portion of the time. Other than that, he has made several efforts to realize a   speedy fortune in mining, but has never succeeded. The last fire, which occurred in Mariposa about a year ago, carried away his saloon building and most of the  fixtures. He was a very popular saloon keeper, and usually prospered at the business. But he was an exceedingly generous man, always giving and dividing withsomeone as long as he had a cent. He lived to a good old age (71 years), and had the appearance of a much younger man. But for the disease, abcess in the
              stomach, he would, no doubt, have lived yet, many years. He seemed to have been lost to all of his relations, having been absent so long and not hearing of, or   from any of them since he was here. He was a great friend to Mrs. Georgiana ADAMS and her mother, with whom he has boarded for many years. He received  from them the best attention and care in his last illness. Poor Bob, as he was always called, will be greatly missed by his many friends, who knew him but to like  him for his many kindnesses shown in life. He was a truly honest, high minded and generous to a fault. His funeral was largely attended, and John HITE, Chas.  BOGAN, Jarvis STREETER, Adam VOLK, Wm. R. KNIGHT, John MITCHELL, George ROBINSON and George KNIGHT were pall bearers. The services (owing to  the absence of Rev. Joel HEDGPETH) were conducted at the grave by Mrs. GALLISON. The deceased was a native of Ireland, aged 71 years.
 
 

              B. M. WILLIS

              November 24, 1883 Mariposa Gazette
              (submitted by W. Disbro)

              The last sickness and death of B. M. WILLIS at Pea Ridge, on Thursday last, is said to have been distressing and sorrowful in the extreme. He had been suffering     for some time with disease of the bladder, from which, in his efforts to obtain medical relief, he had exhausted the last farthing of his worldly means, leaving nothing for the support of his wife and three children, who have no relatives in the State, and are thus left dependent on public charity. It is to be hoped that the afflicted family will be cared for by the generous public. Owing to the decomposed state of the body, it was found necessary to bury the deceased at Pea Ridge  instead of Mariposa as first contemplated.
 

              WILLIS-
              At Pea Ridge, Mariposa County, November 22d, 1883, B. M. WILLIS, aged 45 years, a native of Tennessee.
 
 

              WILLIS, William

              March 5, 1887 Mariposa Gazette
              (submitted by W. Disbro)

              The late William WILLIS - William WILLIS whose death occurred in San Francisco, was at a early day a resident of Sonora, Tuolumne county, and subsequently   removed to Mariposa, where he was Deputy- County clerk. Many of the pioneer settlers recollect "Bill WILLIS," and the earliest records of the county show, in  his hand writing, some of the most magnificent specimens of penmanship extant. Mr. WILLIS left Mariposa about, 1854, and since that date has lived in San Francisco and for over twenty years has been employed as the Secretary of the Belcher Mining Company. At a meeting of the Board of Directors a preamble and   resolutions were adopted paying a handsome tribute to his efficiency and worth, and expressing their sympathy with his afflicted family. The resolutions were  entered upon the minutes of the Company and a copy sent to Mrs. WILLIS.
 
 

           WILSON, Christopher

              October 7, 1865 Mariposa Free Press
              (submitted by W. Disbro)

              Fatal Encounter
              On Saturday last, an affray occurred on Main Street between James H. LAWRENCE, proprietor of this paper, and Christopher WILSON, which resulted in the    death of the latter. It appears from the evidence that a difficulty occurred between them on the 5th of August last, in which Mr. WILSON drew a pistol on Mr.  Lawrence, at the same time catching him around the neck with one arm and applying many harsh epithets to him. Mr. Lawrence at that time being unarmed and   entirely at the mercy of his antagonist, made no resistance; and WILSON afterwards told one of the witnesses that in case he shown fight on that occasion, he    (W.) would have killed him. On Saturday last WILSON came into town, and before night was drinking conciderably, and while under the influence of liquor made treats against the life of LAWRENCE. Some two hours before the shooting took place he told a friend of his that " if LAWRENCE looked at him" he intended to   kill him. Mr. LAWRENCE was standing in frount of BACHMAN'S saloon, talking with another man, when he first saw WILSON, and having been cautioned he avoided him, as the latter was seeking a difficulty, he started up the street toward home, when WILSON stepped in front of him and said: "Jim LAWRENCE, you don't like me." LAWRENCE replied, "Chris, I have nothing against you." WILSON responded, " G-d d--n you, I know you don't like me." LAWRENCE replied,    "Chris, if you say so, I will give you my hand in friendship now," and stepped forward and extended his hand. WILSON cocked his pistol, wheeled directly in   front of him, and said, " G-d d--n you, if you want anything out of me come on." Lawrence jumped back two steps, pulled a dragoon six-shooter and fired twice,  one of his shots taking effect in the left side, just below the heart. LAWRENCE cocked his pistol to fire again, when WILSON bent over, placed his hand upon his side, and said he was shot, and walked in through the saloon to a back room, where he sat down in a chair. Only two reports were distinquished, although the evidence showed that WILSON's pistol had been recently fired. Mr. LAWRENCE gave himself up on Sunday morning, and appeared before Justice McVICAR to   answer to the charge of assault with a deadly weapon, when that magistrate to avoid any illegality in the proceedings, placed him under bonds to appear on the
              day following. At three o'clock on Monday morning WILSON died, and in the afternoon of that day Mr. LAWRENCE appeared before Justice GILTNER to  answer to a charge of murder, and upon examination, was discharged.

  In Mariposa, Monday, October 2d, 1865, Mr. CHRISTOPHER CHASE WILSON, aged 35 years, a native of Ellsworth, Maine.
 

               WILSON, Johnny
 Le Grand Advocate, July 9, 1937

 OLD TIME INDIAN DIES IN YOSEMITE

 Johnny Wilson, one of the last of the old-time Yosemite Indians,
 died at his cabin at El Portal last week at an age estimated at