Second Biennial Report
Nevada Historical Society
1909-1910
pg. 74
John W. Mackay, one of the Comstock bonanza firm of Mackay
& Fair, was another strong character in the pioneer days of
the State. He dug from Nevada's hills many millions of
dollars, and made many more in his manipulation of mining
shares, and took his wealth and departed after the milk in
the cocoanut had supposedly al been withdrawn. John W.
Mackay, however, maintained for the State and many of her
people a warm place in his heart. Clarence H. Mackay, his
son, and his widow, are doing much for the University of
Nevada in the way of buildings and money. Nevada gave
Mackay wealth, but now his legal heirs are giving to the
rising generation and educational "lift" that is appre-
ciated at its full worth by every man, woman, and child
within Nevada's confines.
Pg. 77
A.C. Cleveland, or "Cleve" as nearly every one called him,
was prominent when Nevada wore the garb of a Territory,
and he grew with the times until at his death he was at
the head of the procession of progressive citizens. He
was prominent in western Nevada when the Teritory was
made a State. He was one of he County Commissioners of
Washoe in 1866. He represented that county in the lower
house of the Legislature. He was caught in the tide that
carried so many to Hamilton during the White Pine mining
excitement of 1868-1869, where he helped to carve a part
of Lander's territory and make of it the County of White
Pine. He was afterward chosen to represent White Pine in
each branch of the Legislature. He settled down in Spring
Valley early in the 70's and with his wife commenced to
reclaim a home from land that was considered a desert
waste. The acres and acres under fence and growing hay,
grain, fruit and, in fact, everything known to the temp-
erate zone is an object-lesson that future generations
may profit by. It shows what one man can accomplish in
home building in forty years. The large grove of shade
fruit trees stands today as a monument to Cleveland's
memory. He went to sleep never to awaken in this life
at his home in Spring Valley in 1902 or 1903, on the spot
where he and Mrs. Cleveland had spent more than a generation.
Mrs. Cleveland lives there today, and the ranch is home for
the people within a radius of fifty miles.
Joan