Annie Lawry

Annie was born on November 13, 1866 somewhere near Lovelock, Nevada.  Her mother was a Paiute Indian and her father was a white man who was often away from home for long periods of time.  While he was away she and her mother reverted to Indian ways but when he was around he insisted that everyone speak English and discouraged anything Paiute.  He enrolled Annie in the local school where she was the first Indian to attend with white children and possibly the first Paiute to go to school at all.

Eventually Mr. Lowry grew prosperous and his Indian family became an embarrassment so he deserted them never to return to them.  When he left Annie gave up all white ways and returned to her Indian heritage and ways. Years later when he died friends urged Annie to travel to Oregon and make a claim to her inheritance.  She refused not wishing to make any trouble for her two brothers who were living as whites. She did domestic work which was the only work available to Indian women for about $1.50 per week.  She married a local man, Sanny in a traditional Paiute ceremony that took five days.  They had nine children, five of whom survived infancy.