A new article has been added at Newspaper Abstracts > United States > Nevada > Mineral http://www.newspaperabstracts.com/index.php?action=displaycat&catid=1001 Also visit our new sister sites: http://www.AncestorsOnTheWeb.com http://www.Genealogy101.com Direct link to article: http://www.newspaperabstracts.com/link.php?id=44275 Submitted by: Eileen Gillette Article Title: Reno Evening Gazette Article Date: February 12 1954 Article Description: W.F. Merchant Of Hawthorne Taken By Death Article Text: Hawthorne- William F. MERCHANT, a resident of Hawthorne for more than a quarter of a century died early Saturday morning (6 Feb) following a prolonged illness. Mr. MERCHANT was 72 years of age at the time of his death. Born in Walla Walla, Washington, Mr. MERCHANT spent his early life in the Northwest and as a young man served as a purser on a steamship line operating between Seattle and Juneau, Alaska. He engaged in mining and business in Alaska for several years, moving from there to Tonopah in 1919 where he purchased part interest i na grocery store. During the 1920's Mr. MERCHANT engaged in numerous mining developement projects in many of the mining boomtowns of Nevada, receiving the nickname of "Townsite Bill." In 1928 he moved to Hawthorne and opened a real estate and insurance office, continuing that business until ill health forced his retirement a year ago. During his working days he was also sub-agent for Ford automobiles in Hawthorne and a special correspondent to the Reno Evening Gazette. Mr. MERCHANT served the greater part of WWII as a member of the Selective Service Board for Mineral County. He was a charter member of the Masonic Lodge in Juneau and when Hawthorne Lodge #36 F. & A.M. was organized n 1930 Mr. MERCHANT became a charter member and was its first Senior Warden. Funeral services were conducted in Hawthorne Tuesday afternoon (9 Feb) by the Masonic Lodge and burial was in the Hawthorne Cemetery. Mr. MERCHANT is survived by one son, William M. MERCHANT of Concord, CA, who formerly resided in Hawthorne, and two granddaughters, Mrs. A.L. McKENZIE of Yerington and Helen MERCHANT of Concord, all of whom came to the funeral Tuesday. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ NV-Old-News ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ NewspaperAbstracts.com - Finding our ancestors in the news! TM http://www.NewspaperAbstracts.com