Mary Ann "Mollie" Gandy was Isaac's and Harriet's oldest daughter and survived all her sisters. But she is something of a mystery. I have found no photographs of her in the books written about the Snake Valley, no wedding notice, obituary or death certificate. Here is a summary of what I know ...so far!
Mary Ann was born in Carson Valley, Douglas County, in 1862 and we find her attending school in Woodlands, Alpine County, California in the 1870 census. In 1881, 29 years old, she married Erastus E Heckethorn, aged 44. He was born in 1837 and died in 1926.
Erastus E. Heckethorn
(The only photograph I have of Mollie Gandy is unfortunately too poor to reproduce here).
Mollie and Erastus Heckethornhad seven children:
Edward born 1881
Mattie Irene born 1882
Floyd G, who died as an infant in 1884
Ray Cleveland born 1884 (see gravestone below)
William Sylvester born 1887
Lola E born 1890
Lillian born 1893
More information about marriages and children in the GANDY TREE.
Erastus Heckethorn came originally from Scotland to the US by way of Germany. Link to George Rader family tree
Mollie's second marriage
After Erastus' death in 1926 Mollie married Elias McLellan Robert (Bob) Smith, date unknown. He was born in 1858 in Carson City. At her death in 1941 she was thus Mary Ann or Mollie Smith, which may explain why it has been difficult to find her in the registers. Elias McLellan Bob Smith wrote a fascinating diary for many years. Read more about it here.
When Isaac divided up his property, Mary Ann got a small piece of land in Garrison and the store in Garrison called the Heckethorn store.
The obituary notice for mother Harriet in 1937 says that Harriet died at the home of daughter Mollie, where she had lived for four years - earlier Harriet had lived with her other two daughters, Emma Jean and Stella. Mollie and her second husband were also present at Harriet's 87th birthday celebration in 1931, as Mr and Mrs E H Smith.
Photo: Vickie Nielsen
This gravestone in white marble is also to be found in the cemetery in Garrison. The inscription is not easy to read, but the date of birth is Dec 17 1884 and date of death May 15 1911 and the inscription "Ray C, son of E and M Heckethorn". He was born three years after Mollie's marriage to Erastus and died young, 27 years old.
The 1900 US Census
I have found a reference to Pearl Heckethorn Johanson, described as granddaughter to Harriet, and thus daughter of Mollie in her first marriage to Mr Heckethorn. Pearl Heckethorn is quoted in the book "Pioneers of Snake Valley 1865-1935 as remembered by their descendants", by Boyd E Quate. She refers there to the Heckethorn Store in Garrisonbut is uncertain about whether Isaac built the store or not.
Photo: Vickie Nielsen
Gravestone in Garrison cemetery, only inscription "Heckethorn". Possibly the family grave, but there are several other Heckethorn graves - see below and left.
Photo: Vickie Nielsen
Gravestone of Erastus Heckethorn, Mollie's first husband, in Garrison cemetery. He was born on February 22nd 1837 and died on January 20th 1926, age 89.
Mollie's second husband Elias McLellan Smith is also buried in Garrison Cemetery, with his forst wife.
