Nicholas Porter Earp
Encyclopedia
Nicholas Porter Earp was born in Lincoln County, North Carolina
, to Walter and Martha Ann Earp. He is most famously known as the father of OK Corral shootout participants and Old West lawmen Wyatt Earp
, Virgil Earp
, and Morgan Earp
.
Nicholas' father Walter Earp, a school
teacher
and Methodist Episcopal preacher
, was born in Montgomery County
, Maryland
, in 1787. Nicholas' mother, Martha Ann Early, was born in Avery County
, North Carolina, on August 28, 1790. Nicholas was the third of ten children; his siblings include six brothers: Lorenzo Dow, Josiah Jackson, James Kelly, Francis Asbury, Jonathan Douglas and Walter C (twins); as well as three sisters: Elizabeth, Mary Ann, and Sarah Ann.
, in 1813 of English
and Ulster Scots
descent, where Nicholas spent the remainder of his childhood. As a young man, Nicholas was involved in the Black Hawk War
of 1831 and later was a sergeant
in the Mexican-American War. It was during the Mexican-American War that Nicholas served under Captain Wyatt Berry Stapp of the Illinois Mounted Volunteers. Nicholas later honored Captain Stapp by naming his fourth, and most famous son, Wyatt, after him. During the Civil War, Nicholas also served in Iowa as a provost marshal for recruitment; taking on the burden of sending local boys and men as well as his own sons Newton, James, and Virgil off to fight for the Union Army.
, Kentucky, and was the great-granddaughter of German immigrants who had originally settled in Frederick, Maryland. Nicolas and Abigail's short marriage produced Nicholas' first son, Newton Jasper Earp, born October 7, 1837. in Ohio County. Abigail then died at the early age of 26 on October 8, 1839 in Hartford, Kentucky, just eight months following the birth of their second child, daughter Mariah Ann. Mariah subsequently died two months after her mother, Abigail, on December 13, 1839.
, farm to Aquillin Waters Noe (who resold it on the same day to Hiram Zenas Webster) and the family returned to Monmouth, Illinois, where Nicholas found that nobody wanted his services as cooper or farmer. Faced with unemployment, Nicholas chose to become a municipal constable, a post he served for about three years. He reportedly had a second source of income from the selling of alcoholic beverages which made him the target of the local women's temperance group. In 1859, he was tried for bootlegging, subsequently convicted and suffered public humiliation. Nicholas was unable to pay his court-imposed fines following his trial, and, on November 11, 1859, Nicholas's property was sold at an auction. Two days later, the Earps left Monmouth for a return to Pella. Nicholas apparently made frequent travels to Monmouth throughout 1860 to confirm and conclude the sale of his properties and to face several lawsuits for debt and accusations of tax evasion. On May 12, 1864, the Earp family joined a wagon train heading to California. According to the diaries of Utah immigrants in the wagon train, Nicholas was one of the wagon-masters on their overland trek.
Some time prior to 1880, Nicholas and Virginia Earp moved back to California, settling in San Bernardino County while son James and his wife Nellie moved to Tombstone, Arizona
. Enumerated one year prior to the famous shootout at the O.K. Corral, the 1880 United States Census
shows the Nicholas Earp household to include son Morgan and his wife Louisa ("Lou"). The record also listed Nicholas' occupation as a farmer and youngest son Warren residing with his parents at that time. Along with being a farmer, Nicholas also had several civic involvements, to include becoming one of the founders of the San Bernardino Society of California Pioneers (which in later years would merge with the San Bernardino Historical and Pioneer Society).
Nicholas Earp died at The Soldier's Home
in Sawtelle, California, on February 12, 1907, shortly after he was elected to the Los Angeles County court. He is buried in West Los Angeles at the Los Angeles National Cemetery
. He had outlived five of his nine children.
Lincoln County, North Carolina
-Demographics:As of the census of 2010, there were 71,498 people, 24,041 households, and 18,174 families residing in the county. The population density was 214 people per square mile . There were 25,717 housing units at an average density of 86 per square mile...
, to Walter and Martha Ann Earp. He is most famously known as the father of OK Corral shootout participants and Old West lawmen Wyatt Earp
Wyatt Earp
Wyatt Berry Stapp Earp was an American gambler, investor, and law enforcement officer who served in several Western frontier towns. He was also at different times a farmer, teamster, bouncer, saloon-keeper, miner and boxing referee. However, he was never a drover or cowboy. He is most well known...
, Virgil Earp
Virgil Earp
Virgil Walter Earp fought in the Civil War. He was U.S. Deputy Marshal for south-eastern Arizona and Tombstone City Marshal at the time of the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral in the Arizona Territory. Two months after the shootout in Tombstone, outlaw Cowboys ambushed Virgil on the streets of...
, and Morgan Earp
Morgan Earp
Morgan Seth Earp was the younger brother of Deputy U.S. Marshals Virgil and Wyatt Earp. Morgan was a deputy of Virgil's and all three men were the target of repeated death threats made by outlaw Cowboys who were upset by the Earps' interference in their illegal activities. This conflict eventually...
.
Nicholas' father Walter Earp, a school
School
A school is an institution designed for the teaching of students under the direction of teachers. Most countries have systems of formal education, which is commonly compulsory. In these systems, students progress through a series of schools...
teacher
Teacher
A teacher or schoolteacher is a person who provides education for pupils and students . The role of teacher is often formal and ongoing, carried out at a school or other place of formal education. In many countries, a person who wishes to become a teacher must first obtain specified professional...
and Methodist Episcopal preacher
Preacher
Preacher is a term for someone who preaches sermons or gives homilies. A preacher is distinct from a theologian by focusing on the communication rather than the development of doctrine. Others see preaching and theology as being intertwined...
, was born in Montgomery County
Montgomery County, Maryland
Montgomery County is a county in the U.S. state of Maryland, situated just to the north of Washington, D.C., and southwest of the city of Baltimore. It is one of the most affluent counties in the United States, and has the highest percentage of residents over 25 years of age who hold post-graduate...
, Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
, in 1787. Nicholas' mother, Martha Ann Early, was born in Avery County
Avery County, North Carolina
- Climate :As a result of its relatively high elevation, Avery County has a Humid continental climate enjoying considerably cooler summers than most of the rest of the Eastern US. Likewise, winters are longer, colder and snowier than most other locations in the region. This can be evidenced by the...
, North Carolina, on August 28, 1790. Nicholas was the third of ten children; his siblings include six brothers: Lorenzo Dow, Josiah Jackson, James Kelly, Francis Asbury, Jonathan Douglas and Walter C (twins); as well as three sisters: Elizabeth, Mary Ann, and Sarah Ann.
Early life and military service
Soon after Nicholas' birth, the family moved from Virginia to Hartford, KentuckyHartford, Kentucky
Hartford is a city in Ohio County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 2,571 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Ohio County. It is believed to be named for a deer crossing on the nearby Rough River....
, in 1813 of English
English American
English Americans are citizens or residents of the United States whose ancestry originates wholly or partly in England....
and Ulster Scots
Scots-Irish American
Scotch-Irish Americans are an estimated 250,000 Presbyterian and other Protestant dissenters from the Irish province of Ulster who immigrated to North America primarily during the colonial era and their descendants. Some scholars also include the 150,000 Ulster Protestants who immigrated to...
descent, where Nicholas spent the remainder of his childhood. As a young man, Nicholas was involved in the Black Hawk War
Black Hawk War
The Black Hawk War was a brief conflict fought in 1832 between the United States and Native Americans headed by Black Hawk, a Sauk leader. The war erupted soon after Black Hawk and a group of Sauks, Meskwakis, and Kickapoos known as the "British Band" crossed the Mississippi River into the U.S....
of 1831 and later was a sergeant
Sergeant
Sergeant is a rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organizations around the world. Its origins are the Latin serviens, "one who serves", through the French term Sergent....
in the Mexican-American War. It was during the Mexican-American War that Nicholas served under Captain Wyatt Berry Stapp of the Illinois Mounted Volunteers. Nicholas later honored Captain Stapp by naming his fourth, and most famous son, Wyatt, after him. During the Civil War, Nicholas also served in Iowa as a provost marshal for recruitment; taking on the burden of sending local boys and men as well as his own sons Newton, James, and Virgil off to fight for the Union Army.
First marriage
On December 22, 1836, in Hartford, Nicholas Porter married Abigail Storm, the daughter of Peter and Anna Maria (Lehman) Sturm. Abigail was born on September 21, 1813, in Ohio CountyOhio County, Kentucky
Ohio County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2000, the population was 22,916. Its county seat is Hartford. The county is named for the Ohio River, which originally formed its northern boundary. It is a dry county, which means that the sale of alcohol is restricted or...
, Kentucky, and was the great-granddaughter of German immigrants who had originally settled in Frederick, Maryland. Nicolas and Abigail's short marriage produced Nicholas' first son, Newton Jasper Earp, born October 7, 1837. in Ohio County. Abigail then died at the early age of 26 on October 8, 1839 in Hartford, Kentucky, just eight months following the birth of their second child, daughter Mariah Ann. Mariah subsequently died two months after her mother, Abigail, on December 13, 1839.
Second marriage
On July 30, 1840, widower and single-parent Nicholas Earp wed local girl Virginia Ann Cooksey in Hartford. This second marriage produced eight children:- James Cooksey EarpJames EarpJames Cooksey Earp was the little known older brother to old west lawman Virgil Earp and lawman/gambler Wyatt Earp. Unlike his lawmen brothers, he was a saloon-keeper and was not present at the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral....
(June 28, 1841 in Hartford, Kentucky - January 25, 1926 in Los Angeles, California) - Virgil Walter EarpVirgil EarpVirgil Walter Earp fought in the Civil War. He was U.S. Deputy Marshal for south-eastern Arizona and Tombstone City Marshal at the time of the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral in the Arizona Territory. Two months after the shootout in Tombstone, outlaw Cowboys ambushed Virgil on the streets of...
(July 18, 1843 in Hartford, Kentucky - October 19, 1905 in GoldfieldGoldfield, NevadaGoldfield is an unincorporated community and the county seat of Esmeralda County, Nevada, United States, with a resident population of 440 at the 2000 census. It is located about southeast of Carson City, along U.S...
, NevadaNevadaNevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...
). - Martha Elizabeth Earp (September 25, 1845 in Kentucky - May 26, 1856 in Monmouth, IllinoisMonmouth, IllinoisMonmouth is a city in and the county seat of Warren County in the U.S. state of Illinois. It is the home of Monmouth College and contains Monmouth Park, Harmon Park, North Park, Warfield Park, West Park, South Park, Garwood Park, Buster White Park and the Citizens Lake & Campground. It is the host...
). - Wyatt Berry Stapp Earp (March 19, 1848 in Monmouth, Illinois - January 13, 1929 in Los Angeles, California).
- Morgan Seth EarpMorgan EarpMorgan Seth Earp was the younger brother of Deputy U.S. Marshals Virgil and Wyatt Earp. Morgan was a deputy of Virgil's and all three men were the target of repeated death threats made by outlaw Cowboys who were upset by the Earps' interference in their illegal activities. This conflict eventually...
(April 24, 1851 in PellaPella, IowaPella is a city in Marion County, Iowa, United States. The population was 9,832 at the 2000 census. Pella is the home of Central College as well as several manufacturing companies, including Pella Corporation and Vermeer Manufacturing Company.- History :...
, IowaIowaIowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
- March 18, 1882 in TombstoneTombstone, ArizonaTombstone is a city in Cochise County, Arizona, United States, founded in 1879 by Ed Schieffelin in what was then Pima County, Arizona Territory. It was one of the last wide-open frontier boomtowns in the American Old West. From about 1877 to 1890, the town's mines produced USD $40 to $85 million...
, ArizonaArizonaArizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
). - Baxter Warren EarpWarren EarpBaxter Warren Earp was the youngest brother of Wyatt, Morgan, Virgil, James, and Newton Earp. He was not present during the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral. After Virgil was maimed in an ambush, he joined Wyatt and was in town when Morgan was assassinated. He helped Wyatt in the hunt for the outlaw...
(always known as Warren) (March 9, 1855 in Pella, Iowa - July 6, 1900 in WillcoxWillcox, ArizonaWillcox is a city in Cochise County, Arizona, United States. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 3,769. Professional wrestler Ted Dibiase lived his formative years in Willcox, as did singer Tanya Tucker.-History:...
, Arizona). - Virginia Ann Earp (February 28, 1858 in Marion CountyMarion County, Iowa-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 33,309 in the county, with a population density of . There were 13,914 housing units, of which 12,723 were occupied.-2000 census:...
, Iowa - October 26, 1861 in Pella, Iowa). - Adelia Douglas Earp (June 16, 1861 in Pella, Iowa - January 16, 1941 in San Bernardino, California).
Farmer, constable, bootlegger, and wagon-master
On March 4, 1856, Nicholas sold his Pella, IowaPella, Iowa
Pella is a city in Marion County, Iowa, United States. The population was 9,832 at the 2000 census. Pella is the home of Central College as well as several manufacturing companies, including Pella Corporation and Vermeer Manufacturing Company.- History :...
, farm to Aquillin Waters Noe (who resold it on the same day to Hiram Zenas Webster) and the family returned to Monmouth, Illinois, where Nicholas found that nobody wanted his services as cooper or farmer. Faced with unemployment, Nicholas chose to become a municipal constable, a post he served for about three years. He reportedly had a second source of income from the selling of alcoholic beverages which made him the target of the local women's temperance group. In 1859, he was tried for bootlegging, subsequently convicted and suffered public humiliation. Nicholas was unable to pay his court-imposed fines following his trial, and, on November 11, 1859, Nicholas's property was sold at an auction. Two days later, the Earps left Monmouth for a return to Pella. Nicholas apparently made frequent travels to Monmouth throughout 1860 to confirm and conclude the sale of his properties and to face several lawsuits for debt and accusations of tax evasion. On May 12, 1864, the Earp family joined a wagon train heading to California. According to the diaries of Utah immigrants in the wagon train, Nicholas was one of the wagon-masters on their overland trek.
An itinerant family life
In spring 1868, the Earps moved again, this time coming back to the mid-west and settling in Lamar, Missouri, where Nicholas became the local constable. By November 17, 1869, Nicholas resigned to become Justice of the Peace. Son Wyatt, who had been studying the law with his grandfather, Walter, was immediately appointed constable in place of his father.Some time prior to 1880, Nicholas and Virginia Earp moved back to California, settling in San Bernardino County while son James and his wife Nellie moved to Tombstone, Arizona
Tombstone, Arizona
Tombstone is a city in Cochise County, Arizona, United States, founded in 1879 by Ed Schieffelin in what was then Pima County, Arizona Territory. It was one of the last wide-open frontier boomtowns in the American Old West. From about 1877 to 1890, the town's mines produced USD $40 to $85 million...
. Enumerated one year prior to the famous shootout at the O.K. Corral, the 1880 United States Census
United States Census
The United States Census is a decennial census mandated by the United States Constitution. The population is enumerated every 10 years and the results are used to allocate Congressional seats , electoral votes, and government program funding. The United States Census Bureau The United States Census...
shows the Nicholas Earp household to include son Morgan and his wife Louisa ("Lou"). The record also listed Nicholas' occupation as a farmer and youngest son Warren residing with his parents at that time. Along with being a farmer, Nicholas also had several civic involvements, to include becoming one of the founders of the San Bernardino Society of California Pioneers (which in later years would merge with the San Bernardino Historical and Pioneer Society).
Third marriage and death
Following Virginia's death on January 14, 1893, in San Bernardino, Nicholas married Annie Elizabeth Cadd on October 14 of the same year. His new wife was the widow of Ambrose Peck Alexander (1825–1884) and was born in 1842 in Preston Bissett, Buckingham, England. She died in 1931 and is buried near Virginia and Nellie Earp (wife of son James Earp) at the Pioneer Cemetery in San Bernardino.Nicholas Earp died at The Soldier's Home
Sawtelle Veterans Home
The Sawtelle Veterans Home was a care home for disabled American veterans in what is today part of the Los Angeles metropolitan area in California in the United States. The Home, formally the Pacific Branch of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, was established in 1887 on of Rancho...
in Sawtelle, California, on February 12, 1907, shortly after he was elected to the Los Angeles County court. He is buried in West Los Angeles at the Los Angeles National Cemetery
Los Angeles National Cemetery
The Los Angeles National Cemetery is a United States National Cemetery in West Los Angeles, at the intersection of Wilshire Boulevard and Sepulveda Boulevard. The cemetery was dedicated in 1889. Interred there are war veterans, from the Spanish-American war, World War I, World War II, Korean War,...
. He had outlived five of his nine children.