James Spruhan was born in Ireland Jan 1828, His wife Mary McDermott or Gnail not sure of her maiden name as her daughters had different ones on their marriage record. Mary was born Jan 1830 in Ireland. The both committed Grand Larceny together and were incarcerated at the sametime.
Inmate: #12142 San Quentin Prison
Rec: 26 May 1886
Crime: Grand Larceny
Age: 62
Mary & James had two daughters that were born in Australia, Mary A. Spruhan & Elizabeth Spruhan,
James was a carpenter by trade and Mary was a midwife. By 1900 they left California for Chicago, IL with their daughters.
Here are some newspaper clippings: These articles really shed light on this family, you can almost close your eyes and see what happened.
CLIPPED FROM
The Inter Ocean
Chicago, Illinois
27 Dec 1894, Thu • Page 1
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/37157926/james_spruhan/
https://chicagology.com/columbiaexpo/fairfire/
Above is a link for the Chicago Fair and what happen there.
Their daughter Mary A Spruhan married Robert T. Masterson
(1845–1913) Marriage 17 April 1873 • San Francisco, Ca.
Robert T Masterson
They had a daughter Daughter
Lilly F. Masterson
1877–1928
Mary died mysteriously, and James claimed Robert killed her, he was abusive to his wife and James assaulted Robert.
Rec: 26 May 1886
Crime: Grand Larceny
Age: 62
Inmate: #12143 San Quentin Prison
Rec: 26 May 1886
Crime: Grand Larceny
Age: 56
Mary & James had two daughters that were born in Australia, Mary A. Spruhan & Elizabeth Spruhan,
James was a carpenter by trade and Mary was a midwife. By 1900 they left California for Chicago, IL with their daughters.
Here are some newspaper clippings: These articles really shed light on this family, you can almost close your eyes and see what happened.
CLIPPED FROM
The Inter Ocean
Chicago, Illinois
27 Dec 1894, Thu • Page 1
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/37157926/james_spruhan/
They were at the Chicago's Fair in Chicago,IL how wonderful would that have been to have seen. ALthough they were there pickpocketing innocent people.
https://chicagology.com/columbiaexpo/fairfire/
Above is a link for the Chicago Fair and what happen there.
James was a Hero
Charges Dropped
(1845–1913) Marriage 17 April 1873 • San Francisco, Ca.
Mary A Spruhan
Robert T Masterson
They had a daughter Daughter
Lilly F. Masterson
1877–1928
Mary died mysteriously, and James claimed Robert killed her, he was abusive to his wife and James assaulted Robert.
I didn't find any further information on her death and these allegations.
Robert died 1913 in San Francisco
I didn't find any death information for James & Mary or Elizabeth.
I had fun with this one, all kinds of mysteries to unravel, sure hope a family member find the tree I made and maybe does some deeper searching in the California state archives.
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