To do this much testing you need a good battery fully charged. Then go through the system and make sure everything is set correctly (much of which you've already done) before you try to tweak things and get the engine tuned well.
Before you do too much cranking, go back and double check the valve settings using the website you referred to. You don't want to bend a pushrod because you missed your gaps or did it wrong. Double check everything. Then proceed with starting attempts. And as Longbox pointed out, if you're setting the valves cold, you want to set them a little looser than the factory specs. When the engine warms up, everything tightens up a bit from the expansion of the metals.
The old sixes need a lot of choke to start initially, especially when the engine is cold. Depress the accelerator rod a couple of times to get some gas in the manifold, put your hand over the throat of the carb and try to start the engine. If it starts, part your fingers slightly to allow some air in and keep it running.
Don't stress the starter too much. After cranking the engine a few times, if it won't start, let the starter rest for ten or fifteen minutes and go back and check all your settings.
And by the way, I'm quite impressed by your efforts. For someone who knew so little about engines, you've made great progress. And the knowledge that you've gained will be invaluable to you in the future.
