Born in 1844, Nellie Cashman's family moved to the United States from Ireland. At the age of 25, Cashman moved out West to mine for gold during the California Gold Rush of the late 1800s. She continued throughout her life to move from place to place mining for precious metals. Cashman never struck it rich, but she opened successful restaurants and boarding houses wherever she went. She became known as the "Miner's Angel" because she often helped those in need of food, shelter, and money. Cashman died in 1925 after living a rough and adventurous life in the Old West.