Lake County Obituaries

Phebe Alameda Alley

Submitted by Barbara Alley

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Source Unknown; Date Unknown

MRS. PHEBE ALLEY CALLED BY DEATH MONDAY MORNING

Funeral Held Thursday At Upper Lake Church, Rev. W.J. Wilson Officiated 
Mrs. Phebe Alameda Alley passed away in Lakeport early Monday morning, September 
8, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Geo. Turnbull. 
Mrs. Alley was the daughter of George Ross Gordon and Elizabeth Finley Beird, 
and was born at Peoria, Illinois, March 12th, 1853. At the age of nine, she, 
with her mother, three sisters and three brothers, came to California by way of 
Isthmus of Panama. This trip was made during the Civil War period. It was 
necessary for the family to travel to New York, and take a boat from there. The 
voyage on the Atlantic side, which was made in the ship “Moses Taylor,” required 
two weeks time. To cross the Isthmus of Panama the passengers were transferred 
to smaller boats, then to stage coaches and some of them even walked and kept up 
with the progress of transportation. The experiences of these six days were 
often repeated by Mrs. Alley, much to the enjoyment of her family and friends. 
On the Pacific side of the Isthmus the 600 passengers boarded the steamship 
“America” which landed in San Francisco in July, 1863. Here they were met by the 
father who had preceded the family by a caravan across the plains in April 1860. 

The Gordon family made their home in Napa valley until November, 1865, when they 
came to Upper Lake. In 1868 she was married to Samuel H. Alley, who was a 
successful farmer of the Middle Creek valley. 
Mr. and Mrs. Alley lived in constant love and unbroken harmony until the time of 
his death, July 4th, 1913. To this happy home were born eleven children. The 
nine surviving are: Mrs. Addie Sleeper of Upper Lake, Mrs. Laura Emerson of 
Upper Lake, Mrs. Myrtle Craig of Lakeport, Mrs. Ruth Greene of Lakeport, Mrs. 
Elsie Turnbull of Lakeport, Mrs. Sylvia Haycock of Upper Lake, Mrs. Clara Reed 
of Sacramento, Leonard Alley of Upper Lake and Mrs. Lena Wernse of San 
Francisco. 
Mother Alley loved her home and enjoyed the quiet life there, respected by her 
neighbors and all who knew her. She was a loyal member of the Upper Lake 
Methodist church, a true pioneer wife, a devoted and loving mother and 
grandmother. In addition to her children, there are 17 grandchildren, 14 great 
grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. 
Due to failing health in 1928, she went to Lakeport to make her home with her 
daughter, Mrs. George Turnbull, who has been untiring in her loving and devoted 
care. During these declining years she has been patiently and loyally attended 
by her son-in-law, Dr. M.A. Craig. 
Rev. W. J. Wilson, formerly of the Lakeport Presbyterian church, who had formed 
a close friendship and had become a devoted friend, conducted the services which 
were held Thursday from the Upper Lake Community Church. Mrs. Alley attended 
church regularly as long as her health permitted. Her daily Bible readings gave 
her much comfort and divine influence. 
Her many friends join this paper in extending deepest sympathy to the family. 

NOTES: (Died September 8, 1941)