The Frederick Browne Family
My mother flanked by Grandmother Celia (left) Grandmother’s sister, Gertrude
This wonderful bit of Goldfield, Nevada and fabulous old pictures are shared with our Society and our supporters by Frederick Browne’s granddaughter, Susan Stevens, of Lyons, Colorado.
In 1906 my mother, Frederica, was born in Goldfield as was my aunt Elizabeth in 1909. My mother was quite young when they lived there, so didn’t pass on memories of her time there, but told me one thing that she’d been told.
The story is that when she was born at home, the doctor attending the birth was drunk. After the delivery, he threw her on the couch and said, “This baby is dead!” Then, baby Frederica let out a wail!
Elizabeth and Frederica
Frederica, Elizabeth and Celia
Prince and Frederica
There was a time when Frederica needed a copy of her birth certificate, probably to get her teaching credentials in California. However, her birth certificate had burned up in a fire in Goldfield. Residents were asked if they remembered a certain baby born there in 1906. Apparently enough did because she got her teaching credential!
Both my mother and my Aunt Elizabeth were born in this little house located at 101 S. Bellevue in Goldfield. The house went through some rough times but it still stands. After many owners it has been renovated and is currently owned and occupied full time by a local gentleman. Photo far right taken in April 2024.
Little house located at 101 S. Bellevue in Goldfield, 1907.
House located at 101 S. Bellevue in Goldfield, today.
My mother was named after my grandfather, Frederick E. Browne. He and my grandmother, Celia, lived in Goldfield from about 1905 until 1910. They moved from Aspen, Colorado where my grandfather was raised and where he worked as a mining engineer. The family moved from Goldfield to Hart, CA in about 1910 where my grandfather continued his career as a mining engineer in a gold mine there. Both of my grandparents passed away in 1963.
Grandfather and his daughters
Frederick Browne mounted on Prince
Prince
Editor’s Note: Browne F E mining engr is listed on page 47 of the Goldfield Directory 1907-1908. His office was in the Nixon Block Bldg, #46
Helen (Maroney) McLeod
“Someone asked me for information about me. I was born in Goldfield and my birthday is May 24. Born 1921 and am 102 years old.” – Helen McLeod
Louisa Maroney
Helen’s father, Victor Maroney, was a miner and already in America when his wife, Louisa, immigrated from Austria to join him in 1915. Louisa brought their daughter Zora and Stepdaughter, Anna. The couple made their home in Goldfield where another daughter, Helen, was born to begin her long life and became the center of our story.
Daniel and Helen McLeod
The McLeod family touched down in Goldfield sometime in the early 1900’s. While we don’t know very much about the family, according to Helen, young Daniel McLeod spent all of his early years in Goldfield where he met Helen and eventually tied the knot.
Helen and Daniel graduated from the Goldfield High School. The two married in 1938. They became the parents of two children: Son, Daniel (Danny) in 1940 and then daughter Sheila in 1942. (Danny passed at 80 years of age). However, Sheila is still living.
Helen was a stay-at-home Mom and homemaker and Daniel worked in and out of Goldfield for many years in various jobs. Sometime in the early 1950’s the family left Goldfield for greener pastures. Daniel and Helen spent 51 years together until Daniel passed away.
Unkown man with Daniel and daughter Sheila
Sheila and Danny McLeod
The Goldfield Historical Society thanks Mrs. Helen McLeod for the photos and information for this story. Any errors are inadvertent and the fault of the editor….
After the Fire of 1923
Ed and Lehua Neilson, who currently live in Hawaii, have deep roots with Goldfield. They shared a new (old) photo taken after the disastrous 1923 fire that brought our town to its knees. The photo was taken by Ed’s grandfather who was the engineer for the Goldfield hotel. In fact, he took this photo from the hotel. The Neilson family left Goldfield later that same year as did many other families. Ed & Lehua included news clippings along with the photo.
July 6, 2023 was the 100-year anniversary of that fire.
Newspaper Clippings Below~
Doris Dawson, Starlet
Doris Dawson (Levy) was born in Goldfield, NV on April 16, 1905, the child of Bonewitz Xerxes Dawson (now there’s a name you don’t hear every day) and Reba Greenwood. The town would have been a hotbed of activity during those early years. Although her father’s occupation is unknown, it probably had something to do with gold and life in the fast lane. Sadly, her mother, Reba, died of tuberculosis three months after Doris was born.
Doris was a petite redhead (or some said dark haired) with a kewpie-doll smile. She was a charming starlet, one of many working away in low budget silent and early sound movies from 1927-1934. And she also did photo modeling for the fashion industry. Unfortunately, her acting career did not survive the advent of sound. Apparently, her voice was the problem…some called it “grating”. … Ouch! But Doris marched on with her life married a couple of times and raised winning show dogs. She passed on April 20, 1986 in Florida at the age of 81.
Our thanks to John Dawson of Boulder, CO for this information. By the way, he is a cousin. Doris was family.
Anybody remember Brad Dexter? (Alias Harry Luck)
Any fan of western movies undoubtedly remembers the original version of The Magnificent Seven. All those dashing gunslingers. Remember the character, Harry Luck? He was the most mercenary one in the group – more interested in gold than saving a village from a mad Mexican outlaw. If you recall, he left the group before the big fight only to return…and die in the final battle. That was Brad Dexter.
Now, for the rest of the Story… Brad Dexter was born Boris Michel Soso on April 9, 1917 in Goldfield, Nevada. His family immigrated from Serbia to the United States and ended up in Nevada. His most famous (and only quote) “I’m the one from The Magnificent Seven nobody remembers.”
He racked up a lot of credits in movies and TV playing villains. However, apparently, he was easygoing and friendly in real life.
