William H. Hancock, their only son, attended the public schools in his boyhood days and worked upon the home farm. He was reared to manhood in his native town and continued to reside in the east until 1864, when, at the age of twenty years, he crossed the plains to Fort Lyon, Mexico. Afterward he returned to Kansas, but later again made a journey across the plains with Virginia City as his destination. When he made his first trip there were two hundred and fifty in the escort and the party consisted of twelve hundred people, and notwithstanding this fact the Indians tried to make away with their cattle, and they had several skirmishes with the red men, but none of the members of Mr. Hancock's party were killed. However, they met a company of emigrants on their way east who had had a severe fight with the Indians and had lost thirteen of their number.

The party with which Mr. Hancock traveled to Nevada brought out eighteen head of cattle and wintered them at Water Lake. It was a very mild winter and the stock did well that season. The cattle were owned by the firm of Dirkey & Kerr, bankers at Salt Lake City. In the year 1866, when Mr. Hancock arrived in Virginia City, hay was selling at one hundred dollars per ton and wood at sixty dollars per cord. He was hired to go out and chop wood at Franktown, but a verv bad storm came on and he worked for only three and a half days, at the end of which time he packed up his blankets and returned to Virginia City. Not long afterward he secured employment in the Savage mine, working as pick boy for three and a half dollars per day. In that service he continued for about six weeks, and a little later obtained a position in the butcher shop of A. T. Waters at sixty dollars per month. Mr. Hancock remained there for several years, his wages being increased from time to time until he was paid one hundred and twenty-five dollars per month.

Saving his money during that period, when he had acquired sufficient capital, he invested it in a butcher shop, entering into partnership with a Mr. Merkle. Mr. Hancock then went to Sacramento on business, and while there received a telegram that the shop had been destroyed by fire, and thus everything was lost that had been invested. The partners then built a small shanty in which they did business, and in connection with carrying a line of meats they also sold cigars. It was a struggle to carry on the business, for supplies were very hard to obtain. The mutton was brought by stage from Sacramento, and beef could only be purchased for thirteen cents per pound in the carcass, but by economy, careful management and enterprise the firm managed to gain a good start and make a little money. They afterward purchased the meat market owned by A. T. Waters, and later Mr. Merkle sold his interest to a Mr. Brown. The new partner, however, proved to be a dissipated man, and on one occasion he started with a considerable sum of the firm's money in order to buy stock and Mr. Hancock never saw anything of him again.

In 1879 Mr. Hancock purchased the market on Sixth street, where he remained for a year, after which he removed to another location across the street, renting a shop with living rooms overhead. He paid for the shop a rental of one hundred and twenty-five dollars per month and for the living rooms sixty dollars per month. At that place he remained for fifteen years, at the end of which time he removed to his present shop on C street, where he has since been successfully engaged in business for the past seven years. During his long business career in Virginia City he has made an enviable reputation, and as an upright and honest business man has won a liberal patronage.

In 1874 was celebrated the marriage of William H. Hancock and Miss California A. Johnston, who was born while her parents were crossing the plains to the Golden state. To this marriage have been born two children: Halcyon, now the wife of W. H. Long, a resident of Virginia City; and Earl W., who is residing in San Francisco, where Mrs. Hancock is now sojourning for the benefit of her health. She is a member of the Episcopal church and a most estimable lady. In his political views Mr. Hancock has been a life-long Republican, giving an unfaltering support to the principles of the party and having firm faith in its ultimate triumph. He belongs to both branches of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a past grand representative to the grand lodge. He likewise holds membership with the Masonic fraternity and exemplifies in his honorable career the beneficent teachings of these orders. In examining his life record we note that the salient points in his history have been strong purpose, unfaltering diligence, capable management and, above all, straightforward dealing. His earnest desire to please his customers and his honorable business methods have secured to him a very gratifying patronage, and he has for a number of years been known as the proprietor of the leading meat market of his adopted city.

Source:
A History of the State of Nevada: Its Resources and People
By Thomas Wren, Lewis Publishing Company
Published by The Lewis publishing company, 1904