2021 Week 42 (Oct. 14-20): Proud 

 Who is an ancestor that you are proud of? What about an ancestor who did something they should have been proud of? Maybe a discovery that you're proud you made because it was so hard to find? 

 William Morrow m. Eleanor (???) 

Adam Morrow m. Catherine Van Eman 

George Van Eman Morrow m. Margaret Ann McConahy 

Sierra Nevada Book m. James Preston Book 

Margaret Annetta Book m. Valentine Edward Mohney 

Donald Edward Mohney m. Nettie Lynda Lindbeck 

Donna Mohney 

 I have always been proud of my paternal great-grandmother, Sierra Nevada (Morrow) Book. She was born May 7, 1869 in Moravia, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, and was probably the first child of George Van Eman and Margaret Jane (McConahy) Morrow. (There was another daughter for whom birth and death dates are unknown.) She grew up in the Moravia area. During the Gold Rush (1848–1855), her father, George, had gone west to California, not to mine for gold, but to make money working as a blacksmith. He loved the Sierra Nevada mountains so much that he named his daughter after them. 

 On the 1870 Census of North Beaver Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, she is listed as seen below: 

 Post office: Mount Jackson 279 279

 George Morrow abt 1835 Pennsylvania White Male 

Maggie Morrow North Beaver, Lawrence, PA abt 1841 Pennsylvania White Female 

 Siramond Morrow North Beaver, Lawrence, PA abt 1869 Pennsylvania White Female 

The 1880 Census 1880 of North Beaver Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania shows the family as below: 

 246-255 Morrow, Geo. V. m w 47 married farmer PA PA PA 

Morrow, Margaret f w 40 wife married keeping house PA PA PA 

Morrow, Sierea f w 11 daughter single at school att. school PA PA PA 

Morrow, Charles L. m w 2 single PA PA PA 

Batton, Guley m w 60 servant single boarder PA PA PA 

(Gurley Batton's relationship is unknown but he appears on other censuses living with Sierra's parents.) 

 About Charles Lee, Louise Anderson Fox had this to say: "We also have him on a DVD that I had made from an old film reel. He was living at the Book farm after James Book died and decided he wanted to go into the chicken/ egg business and then died shortly thereafter. My mom ended up trying to raise the chickens and their eggs but not very successfully. I remember her telling me about shadowing the eggs and looking into the coop one night to see rats all sitting around eating the chicken feed." Charlie was born May 24, 1878 and died Nov. 19. 1937.

Charles Lee Morrow

Charlie Morrow, Sierra Nevada, and Margaret  with Margaret's children.

Louise Anderson Fox had these letters, which she allowed me to copy. Wampum, PA Jany 9th, 86. 

Miss Vada Morrow Moravia Mr. Cross presents his Compliments and requests the pleasure of your company at the Ball to be given by Robt Leslie at East Moravia Hall on Jany 22nd 1886. If agreeable to you please advise me at an early date. 

Yours, Cassius Cross PS Think it will be splendid. CC 

I wonder if she went? 

Mahoningtown, July 29th, 1888 Miss Vada Morrow Respected Friend As it has been quite a while since I have seen or heard from you, I take the liberty of sending this not to know if you have any objections to taking a drive some evening soon. If no any ___ you name will suit me. Hoping you have not been working too awful hard since you came from that learned city and that you will not be offended by this note, I will close. 

I remain as ever your friend. D. T. Patterson

Vada, as she was known, had black hair and dark eyes. She was described by her daughter, Marybelle (Book) Anderson as a neat, trim, intelligent woman who enjoyed the company of young people.

Sierra Nevada Morrow

Vada attended Grove City College and I have a copy of her report card for the Winter Term of 1889. A piece is missing but you can see that she received 100 for her deportment and for her attendance. (See copy of her report card from there.) On the 1940 census, Vada stated that she attended the first year of college. But not many women were attending college in those times. In the 1880s, less than half of the colleges admitted women. Most women who wanted to continue their educations, attended female seminaries.

Sierra and her classmates.  There is an arrow pointing towards her. she is in the darker black .

Grove City College Report

She was unable to complete her education due to the death of her mother in 1893. Sierra was left the responsibility of helping her father with her young siblings, Charles Lee Morrow and Matilda Gertrude Morrow. Her brother, William Lamont Morrow (March 1873- 6 September 1873) and sister, Mary Rebecca Morrow, were both deceased.

McConnell Children

 

Charles and Matilda (Morrow) McConnell (Sierra's sister)

In 1895. Sierra Nevada married James Preston Book. 

Pennsylvania, County Marriages, 1845-1963 

Name Nevada Morrow Age 26 Birth Date 7 May 1869 Marriage Date 20 May 1895 Marriage Place Allegheny, Pennsylvania, USA 

Spouse James P. Book (Age about 36) Certificate Number 24143 

Household Members Name Age James P. Book Nevada Morrow

Marriage license of Sierra and James

James Preston Book

Sierra Nevada (Morrow) Book

Why they traveled to Allegheny County is unknown, but I suspect that it was due to the pending arrival of my grandmother, Margaret Annetta Book, on 13 July 1895.

Margaret Annetta Book

Margaret Annetta Book

James had lost his father at age 9 and had to leave school and help to support his family. Perhaps this explains why he did not marry until age 36 - a sense of responsibility towards his mother and siblings. Although James Preston did not complete a formal education, one cannot say that he was an uneducated man. He attended lectures and concerts all of his life. He also served as a member of the School Board, showing his deep commitment to education.

1900 Census Taylor, Lawrence, Pennsylvania 

Household Members: 

Name Age James Book 41 Mar 1859 41 m. 6 years farmer PA PA PA 

Siena Nevada Book 31 May 1869 31 m. 6 years 1 child 1 living PA PA PA 

Margarite Book 3 July 1896 3 PA PA PA 

Mary Book 69 Aug 1830 69 widowed 4 children 2 living PA PA PA 

 On April 10, 1908, another daughter, Mary Belle Book joined the family.

Marybelle Book

Marybelle and Margaret standing in front of their home.

Margaret holding her sister, Marybelle.

Marybelle and Margaret Book

1910 Census North Beaver, Lawrence, Pennsylvania on Moravia Road 

 James P Book 40 PA PA PA m. 15 Eng farm general farm rents reads writes 

Nevada Book 38 wife PA PA PA m. 15 2 children 2 living English reads writes 

Margaret Book 14 daughter PA PA PA English reads writes attend school 

 Marybelle Book 2 daughter PA PA PA English 

Mary Book 80 mother widowed PA PA PA 3 children 2 living reads writes

 In 1914, Vada and James welcomed Laura Matilda into their lives. She had Downs Syndrome and they lost her at age 3 to Diptheria. Laura died in her father's arms on March 22, 1917 at the family home.

1920 United States Federal Census 

Name: Nevada Book Age: 50 [58]  Birth Year: abt 1870 [abt 1862]  Birthplace: Pennsylvania Home in 1920: Shenango, Lawrence, Pennsylvania Race: White Gender: Female Relation to Head of House: Wife Marital Status: Married Spouse's Name: James P Book Father's Birthplace: Pennsylvania Mother's Birthplace: Pennsylvania Able to Speak English: Yes Able to Read: Yes Able to Write: Yes 

Household Members: 

Name Age 

James P Book 60 

Nevada Book 50 [58]  

Marybell Book 11 

 Vada's husband, James, died March 5, 1928. New Castle News, Tuesday, March 6, 1928 James Preston BOOK

 Death of James Preston BOOK, 69, occurred on Monday afternoon at his home in New Wilmington, after an illness of some time. Mr. BOOK had been a resident of the college town for many years, although he was born in Plaingrove township. He was a member of the Modern Woodmen and a member of the United Presbyterian Church of New Wilmington. He leave two daughters, Mrs. Mary BOOK MAHNEY*of Sharon and May Belle BOOK*at home. Seven grandchildren and a sister also survive. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, March 7 at 2 o'clock from the family residence. 

 Mr. Book Funeral Funeral services for James Preston Book took place Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock from his late residence on Neshannock Avenue New Wilmington with the Rev. J. Ralph Neal, pastor of the United Presbyterian church of New Wilmington, officiating. The services were largely attended by relatives and friends. Interment was made in Fair Oaks cemetery. Mr. Book was born March 10, 1859 in Plaingrove Township, a son of Jacob and Mary Glenn Book. He was a charter member of the Moravia Presbyterian Church. Since living in New Wilmington, he had united with the United Presbyterian Church. Besides his wife, Nevada Morrow Book, he leaves two daughters, Mrs. Margaret Book Mohney of New Wilmington, and Mary Belle Book at home and seven grandchildren. He also leaves one sister Mrs. Laura Johnston of New Wilmington.

Vada served as the executrix of James' will. She applied to have the will proven as follows:

 Application for Proof of Will To the Register of Wills of Lawrence County, PA. The petition of Sierra Nevada Book of the Borough of New Wilmington, County of Lawrence, State of Pennsylvania showeth: That James P. Book, late a resident of the Borough of New Wilmington, County of Lawrence, State of Pennsylvania and a citizen of said County and State, died in the Borough of New Wilmington on the 5th day of March, A. D. one thousand nine hundred and twenty-eight at 4"30 o'clock P. M. aged sixty-eight years, testate; that his last Will bears date the 17th day of April, A. D. 1918, and by which deceased nominated and appointed Sierra Nevada Book, Executor, thereof: That the deceased died seized of no real estate and personal estate of the estimated value of nothing. Testator has not married and no child has been born to him, since the execution of the will offered for probate. And Petitioner prays to have the said Will, now produced, probated, Letters Testamentary granted thereon, and recorded according to Law. Dated at New Castle, Pa., this 22nd day of March A. D. 1928. Sierra Nevada Book 370 Neshannock Ave. New Wilmington, PA. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Lawrence, SS: Sierra Nevada Book, above named, being by me duly sworn according to law, doth depose and say that the matters and facts set forth in the foregoing petition, are true to the best of her knowledge, information and belief. Sierra Nevada Book Sworn to and subscribed before me this 22nd day of Mar. A. D. 1928 W. Walter Mahorn Notary Public. My Commission expires Mar. 31, 1931. 

Her application was approved and is documented as follows: 

 Lawrence County SS I Sierra Nevada Book do swear that as Executrix of the estate of James P. Book deceased, I will well and truly administer the goods and chattel, rights and credits of the said deceased according to law, and diligently and faithfully regard and well and truly comply with the provisions of the law relating to inheritances. Sierra Nevada Book 22d day of March 1928 Jeannette W. Hutton, Registor. 

 1930 United States Federal Census Name: 

S Nevada Book Birth Year: abt 1870 Gender: Female Race: White Birthplace: Pennsylvania Marital Status: Widowed Relation to Head of House: Head Home in 1930: Hickory, Lawrence, Pennsylvania Dwelling Number: 140 Family Number: 148 Home Owned or Rented: Rented Home Value: 16 Radio Set: Yes Lives on Farm: No Age at First Marriage: 25 Attended School: No Able to Read and Write: Yes Father's Birthplace: Pennsylvania Mother's Birthplace: Pennsylvania Able to Speak English: Yes 

Household Members: 

Name Age

 S Nevada Book 60 

Mary B Book 21

 Sierra was invited to join the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). However, in 1939, opera singer Marian Anderson was denied the opportunity to perform in DAR Constitution Hall because of her race. She subsequently performed an historic concert on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial to a crowd of 75,000 people. Afterwards, the DAR recognized the need for change and Marian Anderson sang at Constitution Hall on a number of occasions. Because they would not allow Marian Anderson to sing, Sierra refused to join the DAR. 

 A reunion of residents of Moravia was held. (Newspaper articles doesn't have a date recorded but must have been after 1933 when Aunt Margaret was born. Mentioned as attendees are Sierra Nevada Morrow Book, Marybelle and son Jimmie Anderson, Margaret Book Mohney, Gladys, Grace, Willis, Dorothy, and Margaret Mohney.

1940 United States Federal Census 

Name: Navada Book Respondent: Yes Age: 70 Estimated birth year: abt 1870 Gender: Female Race: White Birthplace: Pennsylvania Marital Status: Widowed Relation to Head of House: Head Home in 1940: New Wilmington, Lawrence, Pennsylvania Street: E Neshannock House Number: 370 Farm: No Inferred Residence in 1935: New Wilmington, Lawrence, Pennsylvania Residence in 1935: Same House Sheet Number: 2A Number of Household in Order of Visitation: 42 House Owned or Rented: Owned Value of Home or Monthly Rental if Rented: 2500 Attended School or College: No Highest Grade Completed: College, 1st year Weeks Worked in 1939: 0 Income: 0 Income Other Sources: Yes 

Household Members: 

Name Age Navada Book 70 

Wilbert Anderson 39 

Marybelle B Anderson 31 

James M Anderson 5

 In 1943, Nevada traveled to Spokane, probably with her daughter Marybelle's family. She returned to Pennsylvania before her death. 

 Nevada Book  in the U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995 Name: Nevada Book Gender: Female Residence Year: 1943 Street address: E1711 12th Residence Place: Spokane, Washington, USA Spouse: James P Book Publication Title: Spokane, Washington, City Directory, 1943 

 Sierra, who died on 24 December 1948, and James P. are both buried at Fair Oaks Cemetery, New Wilmington, Pennsylvania.

Mrs. Nevada Morrow Book Mrs. Nevada Morrow Book, aged 75 years, widow of James B. Brook (sic.- Book) 370 Neshannock Avenue, New Wilmington, died this morning at 1:35 o'clock, following an illness of pneumonia of three weeks. She was born in Moravia, May 7, 1869, daughter of George and Margaret McConaghy Morrow. She lived in New Wilmington for 20 years and was a member of the New Wilmington U. P. Church. Her husband, James P. Book, died in 1928 and a daughter died in 1917. Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Margaret Mohney of Lowellville, O., Mary Bell Book Anderson, at home, a sister, Mrs. George F. McConnell, this city, 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. funeral services will be Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. from the resident. Dr J. Ralph Neale in charge. Interment will be in Fair Oaks Cemetery. The body will be removed from the Sharp Funeral home to New Wilmington, Sunday afternoon. 

 Sierra Nevada's name comes up often in conversations. Generally, it was her being helpful. Providing financial assistance, etc to my grandmother, Margaret. I wish that I had gotten to meet her.