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Nephi Bemis

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Nephi Bemis

Birth
Kirtland, Lake County, Ohio, USA
Death
25 Mar 1866 (aged 23)
San Bernardino, San Bernardino County, California, USA
Burial
San Bernardino, San Bernardino County, California, USA Add to Map
Memorial ID
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Nephi's parents were:
Alvin Bemis, b. 1797 in Brattleboro, Windham County, VT. and d. Nov. 9, 1847 in Winter Quarters / Florence, Douglas County, NE. (*Just before the family reached Council Bluffs, IA., Mr. Bemis was thrown from his horse and fatally injured) &
Jerusha Guernsey, b. Jun. 11, 1799 in Brattleboro, Windham County, VT. and d. Nov. 9, 1872 in San Bernardino, San Bernardino County, CA.

In abt. 1824, Alvin Bemis and Jerusha Guernsey were marr. at Wardwell, Jefferson Co., NY.

Alvin & Jerusha Bemis had 7 sons and 3 daughters:
1. Amos Wilson Bemis, b. Jan. 3, 1822 in Ellisburg, Jefferson county, and d. May 1, 1905 in San Bernardino, S. B., CA. Amos marr. Julia Frances McCullough.
2. Nancy Augusta Bemis, b. Jun. 14, 1829 in Ellisburg, Jefferson County, NY. and d. Jun. 15, 1908 in San Bernardino, San Bernardino County, CA. Nancy marr. Joseph Enclio Hancock.
3. Samuel Nines Bemis, b. Dec. 2, 1830 in Pierrepont Manor, Jefferson County, NY. and d. Aug. 14, 1868 in San Bernardino, San Bernardino County, CA. Samuel was killed by a bear while looking for his brother, near the Talmadge sawmill in Little Bear Valley.
4. Edwin Bemis, b. Jun. 3, 1833 in Pierrepont Manor, Jefferson County, NY. and d. Jun. 6, 1884 in San Bernardino, San Bernardino County, CA. Edwin marr. Mary Merchant.
5. William Wallace Bemis, b. Nov. 2, 1834 in Pierrepont Manor, Jefferson County, NY. and d. Mar. 30, 1899 of rehumatism at Oro Grande, San Bernardino County, CA. William marr. Minerva Jane Strong.
6. Clarissa/Clara Ann Bemis (twin), b. Mar. 28, 1836 in Pierrepont Manor, Jefferson County, NY. and d. Mar. 3, 1909 in Imbler, Union County, OR. Clarissa marr. Robert Foster Curtis.
7. Harrison Henry Bemis (twin), b. Mar. 28, 1836 in Pierrepont Manor, Jefferson County, NY. and d. Mar. 19, 1917 at Patton, San Bernardino County, CA.
8. Harriet Bemis, b. Apr. 3, 1838 in Kirtland, Lake County, OH. and d. Apr. 28, 1918 in San Bernardino, San Bernardino County, CA. Harriet marr. Richard Thomas (or Wm. Thomas) Roberds
9. Charles Franklin Bemis, b. Dec. 25, 1839 in Kirtland, Lake County, OH. and d. May 1, 1920 in San Bernardino, San Bernardino County, CA. Charles marr. Mary Allen.
10. Nephi Bemis, b. Apr. 25, 1842 in Kirtland, Lake County, OH. and d. Mar. 25, 1866 in San Bernardino, San Bernardino County, CA. Nephi, a 24-yr.-old cowboy, was ambushed, killed and mutilated by a Piute Indian. His young widow, Ana (McGinnis) Bemis, later gave birth to a stillborn child.

On Mar. 25, 1860, Nephi, along with two other men, was killed by Indians. The three bodies were brought to San Bernardino and given the largest funeral seen in the town to date. Nephi left a young wife, Ana (McGinnis) Bemis, who later gave birth to a stillborn child. (information courtesy of San Bernardino Historical Society. San Bernardino Pioneer Women)

He was married in San Bernardino, CA.

The Wilmington Journal (Los Angeles, CA.), P. 2, Col. 3
Sat., Apr. 7, 1866
Excerpt from a Letter to the Editor from San Bernardino, dated Mar. 30, 1866
Last Sunday, 25th inst., three persons of this place were murdered by Indians on a ranch about eighteen miles distant. The names of the deceased were Edward Parrish, Mr. (Nephi) Bemis, and Mr. (Pratt) Whiteside. Mr. Parrish was an old resident of this valley, where his father now lives, but has of late been living in Aurora, for which place he would have started in a few days. Mr. Bemis was a young man, who had resided in this vicinity many years, where several of his brothers now live. Mr. Whiteside was quite a young man, and had passed a greater part of his life in this part of the State, and was well known to a large circle of friends to whom he was endeared by his manly and generous nature.
The people are determined to put a stop to these lawless proceedings. They feel that there is no way but to take the matter in their own hands, and punish the offending tribes in a way that will leave peace and safety in the future. A party of thirty men, under the direction of Sheriff Fuljon, started Monday morning for the scene of the murder. Tuesday afternoon the funeral of the parties took place from their different homes, meeting on Brigham's street (the streets are all Brigham streets) forming one of the largest, if not the largest procession that ever took place in this part of the country. As they slowly moved on their way towards the Cemetery, one could feel how uncertain are all things in this life. But a few short hours before, they had left their families, buoyant with hope for the future, expecting in a short time to return home and there meet the loved ones in waiting. They came, but oh! How changed, instead of the smiles came tears, tears such as none but the mother, the wife, and the child can give. The Rev. Mr. Hogg, of the Methodist church, officiated, delivering an appropriate address at the graves.
Tuesday evening, a meeting was held at the Court House to take measures to rid the country of the lawless bands of Indians that now infest the country between here and the Colorado. The meeting was a success - there being about two hundred present and all feeling that it was necessary to take immediate and decisive action. It was decided to raise a company of men. A committee of fifteen was appointed to perfect an organization, raise funds, and take all necessary action which may be requisite. A feeling seemed to pervade the meeting, that it was of no use to depend on the soldiers, as nothing would come of it if they did. Strong speeches were made denouncing the military of this part of the United States, in true Democratic style, and resolutions were passed of a similar tenor.
(Signed) Yours truly, Citizen

Las Flores Ranch

Near this spot on March 25, 1866, Edwin Parrish, Nephi Bemis and Pratt Whiteside, young cowboys employed on this ranch, were ambushed, killed and mutilated by Piute Indians, who then burned several ranch buildings and fled down the Mojave River to the rocky narrows below Victorville.
SOURCE: http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=50609
See photo of the plaque to the left -- credit for the photo goes to: MIchael "Digger" Kindig
Hangman, Billy Holcomb Chapter No. 1069, ECV
Nephi's parents were:
Alvin Bemis, b. 1797 in Brattleboro, Windham County, VT. and d. Nov. 9, 1847 in Winter Quarters / Florence, Douglas County, NE. (*Just before the family reached Council Bluffs, IA., Mr. Bemis was thrown from his horse and fatally injured) &
Jerusha Guernsey, b. Jun. 11, 1799 in Brattleboro, Windham County, VT. and d. Nov. 9, 1872 in San Bernardino, San Bernardino County, CA.

In abt. 1824, Alvin Bemis and Jerusha Guernsey were marr. at Wardwell, Jefferson Co., NY.

Alvin & Jerusha Bemis had 7 sons and 3 daughters:
1. Amos Wilson Bemis, b. Jan. 3, 1822 in Ellisburg, Jefferson county, and d. May 1, 1905 in San Bernardino, S. B., CA. Amos marr. Julia Frances McCullough.
2. Nancy Augusta Bemis, b. Jun. 14, 1829 in Ellisburg, Jefferson County, NY. and d. Jun. 15, 1908 in San Bernardino, San Bernardino County, CA. Nancy marr. Joseph Enclio Hancock.
3. Samuel Nines Bemis, b. Dec. 2, 1830 in Pierrepont Manor, Jefferson County, NY. and d. Aug. 14, 1868 in San Bernardino, San Bernardino County, CA. Samuel was killed by a bear while looking for his brother, near the Talmadge sawmill in Little Bear Valley.
4. Edwin Bemis, b. Jun. 3, 1833 in Pierrepont Manor, Jefferson County, NY. and d. Jun. 6, 1884 in San Bernardino, San Bernardino County, CA. Edwin marr. Mary Merchant.
5. William Wallace Bemis, b. Nov. 2, 1834 in Pierrepont Manor, Jefferson County, NY. and d. Mar. 30, 1899 of rehumatism at Oro Grande, San Bernardino County, CA. William marr. Minerva Jane Strong.
6. Clarissa/Clara Ann Bemis (twin), b. Mar. 28, 1836 in Pierrepont Manor, Jefferson County, NY. and d. Mar. 3, 1909 in Imbler, Union County, OR. Clarissa marr. Robert Foster Curtis.
7. Harrison Henry Bemis (twin), b. Mar. 28, 1836 in Pierrepont Manor, Jefferson County, NY. and d. Mar. 19, 1917 at Patton, San Bernardino County, CA.
8. Harriet Bemis, b. Apr. 3, 1838 in Kirtland, Lake County, OH. and d. Apr. 28, 1918 in San Bernardino, San Bernardino County, CA. Harriet marr. Richard Thomas (or Wm. Thomas) Roberds
9. Charles Franklin Bemis, b. Dec. 25, 1839 in Kirtland, Lake County, OH. and d. May 1, 1920 in San Bernardino, San Bernardino County, CA. Charles marr. Mary Allen.
10. Nephi Bemis, b. Apr. 25, 1842 in Kirtland, Lake County, OH. and d. Mar. 25, 1866 in San Bernardino, San Bernardino County, CA. Nephi, a 24-yr.-old cowboy, was ambushed, killed and mutilated by a Piute Indian. His young widow, Ana (McGinnis) Bemis, later gave birth to a stillborn child.

On Mar. 25, 1860, Nephi, along with two other men, was killed by Indians. The three bodies were brought to San Bernardino and given the largest funeral seen in the town to date. Nephi left a young wife, Ana (McGinnis) Bemis, who later gave birth to a stillborn child. (information courtesy of San Bernardino Historical Society. San Bernardino Pioneer Women)

He was married in San Bernardino, CA.

The Wilmington Journal (Los Angeles, CA.), P. 2, Col. 3
Sat., Apr. 7, 1866
Excerpt from a Letter to the Editor from San Bernardino, dated Mar. 30, 1866
Last Sunday, 25th inst., three persons of this place were murdered by Indians on a ranch about eighteen miles distant. The names of the deceased were Edward Parrish, Mr. (Nephi) Bemis, and Mr. (Pratt) Whiteside. Mr. Parrish was an old resident of this valley, where his father now lives, but has of late been living in Aurora, for which place he would have started in a few days. Mr. Bemis was a young man, who had resided in this vicinity many years, where several of his brothers now live. Mr. Whiteside was quite a young man, and had passed a greater part of his life in this part of the State, and was well known to a large circle of friends to whom he was endeared by his manly and generous nature.
The people are determined to put a stop to these lawless proceedings. They feel that there is no way but to take the matter in their own hands, and punish the offending tribes in a way that will leave peace and safety in the future. A party of thirty men, under the direction of Sheriff Fuljon, started Monday morning for the scene of the murder. Tuesday afternoon the funeral of the parties took place from their different homes, meeting on Brigham's street (the streets are all Brigham streets) forming one of the largest, if not the largest procession that ever took place in this part of the country. As they slowly moved on their way towards the Cemetery, one could feel how uncertain are all things in this life. But a few short hours before, they had left their families, buoyant with hope for the future, expecting in a short time to return home and there meet the loved ones in waiting. They came, but oh! How changed, instead of the smiles came tears, tears such as none but the mother, the wife, and the child can give. The Rev. Mr. Hogg, of the Methodist church, officiated, delivering an appropriate address at the graves.
Tuesday evening, a meeting was held at the Court House to take measures to rid the country of the lawless bands of Indians that now infest the country between here and the Colorado. The meeting was a success - there being about two hundred present and all feeling that it was necessary to take immediate and decisive action. It was decided to raise a company of men. A committee of fifteen was appointed to perfect an organization, raise funds, and take all necessary action which may be requisite. A feeling seemed to pervade the meeting, that it was of no use to depend on the soldiers, as nothing would come of it if they did. Strong speeches were made denouncing the military of this part of the United States, in true Democratic style, and resolutions were passed of a similar tenor.
(Signed) Yours truly, Citizen

Las Flores Ranch

Near this spot on March 25, 1866, Edwin Parrish, Nephi Bemis and Pratt Whiteside, young cowboys employed on this ranch, were ambushed, killed and mutilated by Piute Indians, who then burned several ranch buildings and fled down the Mojave River to the rocky narrows below Victorville.
SOURCE: http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=50609
See photo of the plaque to the left -- credit for the photo goes to: MIchael "Digger" Kindig
Hangman, Billy Holcomb Chapter No. 1069, ECV

Inscription

Nephi Bemis
Though suddenly by
Savage hands he passed away
Now calm and tranquil
Is his beloved peaceful clay.

Gravesite Details

MORMON PLAQUE



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  • Maintained by: Chloé
  • Originally Created by: Barbara LeClaire
  • Added: May 7, 2008
  • Find a Grave Memorial ID:
  • Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/26673502/nephi-bemis: accessed ), memorial page for Nephi Bemis (25 Apr 1842–25 Mar 1866), Find a Grave Memorial ID 26673502, citing Pioneer Memorial Cemetery, San Bernardino, San Bernardino County, California, USA; Maintained by Chloé (contributor 47159257).