Near Lassens Meadows in Pershing County, Nevada — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Susan Coon Grave
Photographed by Craig Baker
1. Susan Coon Grave Marker
Susan (Susannah) McCord Coon, wife of Isaac Coon, died from the complications of childbirth at this site on August 11, 1860, while on the way to California from Coles County, Illinois. The child, Robert E. Coon, born on August 9, survived and was taken on to California by his father, with the aid of other members of the party.
Frank Dunn, a stonecutter traveling with the wagon train, spent the night carving the original headstone. An additional grave marker has been subsequently placed by Susan's descendants.
This is one of the very few emigrant graves along the overland trails with its original headstone.
This is a part of your American heritage. Honor it, protect it, preserve it for your children.
Erected 1999 by Oregon-California Trails Association.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1860.
Location. 40° 41.413′ N, 118° 29.629′ W. Marker is near Lassens Meadows, Nevada, in Pershing County. It can be reached from Antelope Road 0.1 miles
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Northern Nevada. It is also in the American Mountain West. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexicos Alta California.
Regarding Susan Coon Grave. Newspaper article, from the Chico Enterprise, October 7, 1931:
Pioneers Grave Found After Hunt of Half Century.
Ending a search of more than a half century, relatives of Mrs. Susan Coon, who died in a wagon train at Little Antelope Springs near Lovelock, Nevada, have located the grave of the pioneer woman who died at the age of 40 giving birth to Robert M. Coon, now a rancher in the Dayton district. That was on August 11, 1860, and until the grave was found Coon was never certain of the exact place of his birth, though he had information that it was either in Utah, Nevada,
Photographed by Craig Baker
2. Susan Coon Grave and Marker
The discovery was made Sunday by a party headed by S.G. Lewis, local grocery man, grandson of Isaac and Susan Coon, and including Orel Richardson of Chico, grand nephew of the couple; Mrs. Martha E. Lewis, 78, of Dayton, a daughter; Mrs. Frances Duffield of Corning, 82, and Mrs. Mary Jane Richardson of Chico, 77, the latter two nieces. All of the three women are among the few still living who crossed the plains in the wagon train as children. Others still living include Albert William Coon of Dayton, Emmett Coon of Durham, Robert M. Coon of Dayton and Maggie Coon of Chico. Actual discovery of the grave was made by Lewis while other members of the party were inspecting the ground near Little Antelope Spring. Many attempts had been made to locate the grave through the years that have passed through systematic searches of the country all the way from Susanville, California to Lovelock, Nevada. The grave which was under a juniper tree on a little knoll a short distance from Little Antelope Spring, was identified by a sandstone marker on one side of which was chiseled, "Susan Coon, wife of Isaac Coon, died August 11, 1860,
Photographed by Craig Baker
3. Susan Coon Grave
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. - An emigrant trail marker near Lassens Meadows.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 21, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 25, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 45 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 25, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.
