I am looking for someone to help me with some lookup on my great
granduncle, Samuel Friend, who was a Civil War veteran. After his
discharge in January 1865 and filing for an Invalid Pension in May
1865. Samuel came to the territory of Nevada and received compensation
for his effort in the war on 26 Aug 1865. However, he must have been
scouting around for mine claim over the summer of 1865 but later
returned to Jasper County, Iowa to complete his Invalid Pension and
was examined by a local doctor in Newton Dr. Hinds on 30 May 1865.
Therefore, I believe, Samuel and possibily his younger brother, James
came to Nevada to stake their claim in the local mines.
ABSTRACT C. - Showing disbursements by the State of Nevada, and as
successor to the Territory of Nevada, on account of costs, charges,
and expenses for monthly pay of volunteer and military forces in the
Territory and State of Nevada in the service of the United State, and
employed in defense of the United State during the war of the
rebellion. (Congressional Serial Set, 1890, 69)
Date: 26 Aug 1865
Warrant No.: 1782
To Whom Issued: Samuel Friend
Amount: $61.33
(Congressional Serial Set, 1890, 71)
Another interesting fact I have found recently was that he had his
endeavor in the Elko County history by creating this railroad line
(most likely for ore and miners transport) in 1869, but according to
this article this RR Depot cease shortly after 1875.
Friend's Station
Directions: Located 2 miles south of the junction of Nevada 225 & Gold
Creek Road
Friend's Station was established in 1869 as a stop on the Elko and
Idaho Toll Road. It also served as a terminus in the early 1870s for
the short-lived Johnson Toll Road, which ran to Bruno City and
rejoined the Elko and Idaho Toll Road at Pierpoint's Station. The
station was run by Samuel Friend, who also ran the Bruno Toll Road in
the early 1870s.
Friend's Station was also a stop on the Island Mountain stage road,
part of the Smith Van Dreillen-operated stagecoach line. Van Dreillen
built a large stable during the early 1870s that held thirty horses.
The stable burned in July 1875 and was not rebuilt. At that time,
Friend's Station ceased to exist, and nothing is left to mark the
site. (Connecting the West: Historic Railroad Stops and Stage Stations
in Elko County Nevada, 2002, 24)
Another fact, Samuel (S. Friend) was enumerated on 7 Jun 1870 in Brun
City, Elko, Nevada with his brother James (J. Friend). The only reason
I know these two are who they are. They had mentioned in their pension
records where they lived during this period of time.
1870 US Census - Brun City, Elko, Nevada
Date of Enumeration: 7 Jun 1870 - A. M. Quiano
P.O. Box: Mountain City Corp
Page/Line Nos.: 32/28
Dwelling/Household Nos.: 14/--
Name: S. Friend, M, 26, Missouri, Occp: Miner
NOTE: Samuel's age should have been 27 and his birthplace isn't
Missouri but Indiana. This could show that the enumeration could have
been done by a third party.
Others: J. Friend, M, 24, Missouri, Occp: Miner
NOTE: James' age 24 in this enumeration is correct to his birth year
1846, however, his place of birth was the same as Samuel. This could
show that a third party was involved.
So I am wondering if anyone had access to the local library or other
places in Elko County to see if they are able to find some mine claim
by Samuel and/or James Friend. I would like to know if there maybe any
newspaper article about this Friend's Station during its existence.
Can anyone help me?
Thanks, Matt Friend
Conway, AR
--
Matthew "Matt" D. Friend
Conway, Arkansas