Gazlay Family History
 

Family HistoryFamily History - George Henry Gazley


Key:1.“+” before a child’s name indicates the child has their own entry in the next generation.
 2.“born xxxx” indicates the child is under 18 years of age so the birth date is not shown.
This family history features George Henry Gazley and his immediate family.



First Generation
1. George Henry Gazley,1 born 1828 in New York, the son of George W. Gazley and Harriet E. _____;1, 2, 3, 4 died 12 October 1865 in Rio Vista, Solano County, California.1 George married, 10 November 1856 in Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan, Henrietta Lucretia Papineau11 (born 17 December 1832 in Williamson, Wayne County, New York, the daughter of Daniel Papineau and Sarah Lucretia Green;4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 Henrietta died 14 December 1920 in Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana5). George is buried in Oak Hill Memorial Park, San Jose, Santa Clara County, California.1 Henrietta is buried in Mount Hope Cemetery, Lansing, Ingham County, Michigan.5

George followed his father to Auburn, Placer County, California. He took over proprietorship of the American Hotel in 1860 after the retirement of his father.12

George was one of the many people killed in the explosion of the steamer Yosemite on 12 October 1865. His death notice reads:1, 13

In Rio Vista, Oct. 12th, from injuries received by the explosion of the steamer Yosemite, George H. Gazley, of San Francisco, formerly of Pultneyville, Wayne County (N.Y.), aged 37 years.

Another death notice from The Commercial Press, Pultneyville, New York, reads as follows:14

George H. Gazlay, son of the late George W. Gazlay formerly of this place was killed Oct. 19th by the explosion of the steamer Yo Semite [sic] on the Sacramento river, Cal. His age was 37 years.


  1. Find a Grave (website). Oak Hill Memorial Park, San Jose, Santa Clara County, California, George H. Gazley, born: 1828; died: 12 October 1865 in Rio Vista, Solano County, California (from record, which includes a copy of an article detailing the explosion of the steamer Yosemite, killing several people, including George; also, the text from an article confirming his death on the Yosemite, and indicating he was formerly of Pultneyville, Wayne County, New York, age 37 years).
  2. U.S. Federal Census, 1850, New York, Wayne County, Williamson, Page 274, George W. Gazelly, 45, New York, shoemaker; Hariet Gazelly, 38, New York; George Gazelly, 22, New York, shoemaker; Charles Pepper, 19, New York, shoemaker; Frederick Thurstin, 54, New York, shoemaker; Margaret Combern, 20, Michigan.
  3. California State Census, 1852, Placer County, Image 130 of 886, G. W. Gasley, 47, NY; G. H. [or N.] Gazley, 25, NY.
  4. U.S. Federal Census, 1860, California, Placer County, City of Auburn, Page No. 6, George H. Gasley, 32, N.Y., hotell keeper; Henrietta Gasley, 24, N.Y.; George W. Gasley, 55, N.Y., hotell keeper; Hariet E. Gasley, 47, N.Y.; plus several dozen hotel employees, shop keepers, etc.
  5. Find a Grave (website). Mount Hope Cemetery, Lansing, Ingham County, Michigan, Henrietta L. Papineau George, born: 17 December 1832 in Williamstown, Oswego County, New York [sic, she was actually born in Williamson, Wayne County, New York]; died: 14 December 1920 in Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana (from record, which includes a copy of her death certificate [that erroneously shows her birthplace as Williamston]; and provides the names and links for her mother, sister, and one husband).
  6. U.S. Federal Census, 1850, New York, Wayne County, Walworth, Image 44 of 48, Daniel Popennyh [sic, Papineau], 41, NY, laborer; Sarah L. Popennyh, 38, NY; Henrietta Popennyh, 17, NY; Jennett A. Popennyh, 14, NY.
  7. U.S. Federal Census, 1870, Michigan, Ingham County, Lansing, Page No. 13, William S. George, 45, Vermont, state printer; Janet George, 34, New York; Louis P. George, 1, Michigan; Sarah Papineau, 38 [sic, she was actually 58], New York; Henrietta Gazley, 37, New York; Kate Moon, 18, Michigan, domestic servant.
  8. U.S. Federal Census, 1880, Michigan, Ingham County, Lansing, E.D. 128, Page No. 15, William S. George, 52, Vermont, state printer; wife Henrietta L. George, 47, NY; son Parker L. George, 11, Michigan; daughter Bessie R. George, 9, Michigan; mother in law Sarah L. Papinau, 68, NY, widow; plus one border and three servants.
  9. U.S. Federal Census, 1900, Michigan, Ingham County, Lansing, E.D. 36, Sheet No. 6A, Henrietta L. George, 64, New York, Dec. 1835, widow, 2 children, 2 living [sic, these are her sister’s children that she raised]; son-in-law Harry E. Bradner, 32, Michigan, Jan. 1868, trav salesman; daughter Bessie D. Bradner, 29, Michigan, Oct. 1870, married 4 years.
  10. U.S. Federal Census, 1910, Michigan, Ingham County, Lansing, E.D. 61, Sheet No. 13A, Harry E. Bradner, 42, Michigan, manager, auto body co.; wife of 15 years Bessie G. Bradner, 39, Michigan, no children; border George W. Stone, 60, North Carolina; border Henrietta L. George, 69, New York, widow, no children.
  11. Michigan, County Marriages, 1820-1940, Geo. H. Gosley [sic], age 29 years, of Adrian, Mich., and Henrietta S. Papineau, age 24 years, of Detroit, married on 10 November 1856 in Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan.
  12. The Placer Herald, Auburn, Placer County, California, available at Chronicling America (chroniclingamerica.loc.com), 26 May 1860, article indicating the American Hotel has been taken by Mr. G. H. Gazley from Mr. Geo. W. Gazley, the latter having retired.
  13. Deaths, Sacramento Daily Union, Sacramento, California. Available at California Digital Newspaper Collection. 23 October 1865: death of George H. Gazley on 12 October.
  14. Deaths, Pultneyville NY Old Newspaper Notices, Part 11, Wayne County, NY, (Contributed by Allyn Hess Perry, available at https://wayne.nygenweb.net/williamson/oldpulteneyvillenews11.html), The Commercial Press, Pultneyville, NY, Personal Items: Death of George H. Gazley on 19 October 1865 on the Yosemite.