USA > Idaho > Owyhee County > A historical, descriptive and commercial directory of Owyhee County, Idaho, January 1898 > Part 10
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GARDNER, MR. GEORGE DENNISON, was born in Connecticut, in 1826, and at an early age his parents located in Sandusky county, Ohio. Was engaged in agricultural pursuits in various parts of the West until the opening of the Rebellion, when he enlisted in the Thirteenth Iowa United ates volunteers, and served his full term, receiving an honorable discharge. , 1 1864 he crossed the plains for Idaho, and arrived at Boise City September 3, 1864. In 1870 he located at Reynolds creek, where he engaged in stock- raising and ranching. He departed this life December 13. 1886, leaving a wife, son and daughter. His daughter, Mrs. Frank Howard, still resides on the home ranch.
Mr. Gardner was an upright and honorable man, possessed of great force of character, and of a disposition which won him many friends.
GILMORE, MR. GEORGE WASHINGTON, was born in Philadelphia. Pennsylvania, May 22, 1834. When seven years old his parents moved to
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Mercer county, Illinois, and there he remained, engaged in farming, until 1858. In 1858 he crossed the plains, having a rough trip, devoted mainly to bull teaming and Indian fighting. He arrived at Snelling's, California, September 25, 1858, and for about a year was mining in various parts of California. From 1859 to 1863 he handled the reins for the California Stage Company and Pioneer stage line, between Virginia City, Nevada, and Nevada City, Cali- fornia. In 1864 he arrived at Silver City, and was engaged in the butchering business until 1866. From 1866 to 1871 he was deputy sheriff and United States deputy marshal, and from 1871 to 1876 ran a stage from Silver City to Fairview. He then ran a stage line from Silver City to Tuscarora, Nevada, and in 1878 discontinued it and located a ranch on Sinker creek, where he has since permanently resided.
Mr. Gilmore is an old and prominent member of the I. O. O. F., and represented. Owyhee county in the ninth session of the territorial legislature of Idaho.
GOFF, MR. JACOB, was born in Green county, Kentucky, September 18, 1842. Was raised on the Mississippi river, his father having been a mate on the old steamboat "Continental." Up to the opening of the war, he was steamboating and railroading. During the rebellion he was a member of the Twenty-fifth Iowa, and participated in the engagements at Shiloh, Pea Ridge and Vicksburg. Becoming invalided he was honorably discharged, and in 1864 arrived at Silver City, where up to 1874 he was engaged in the livery stable business and freighting between this point and Boise City. In 1878 he engaged in ranching, which occupation he has since followed. Is a member of Silver City Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and at one time held the office of con- stable at Silver City.
GRETE, MR. FREDERICK, SR., was born at Hanover, Germany, in August, 1833. . Came to the United States in 1853, and went to California via Isthmus of Panama, on the steamer "John L. Stevens," in 1858. Resided there until '65, when he came to Silver City, and engaged in dentistry. In 1886 he erected the Owyhee brewery, which has been in continuous operation since. He was married in California in 1862, to Miss Wilhimina Kornmann. Issue of married life, six children, three of whom are now living, as follows: Charles H., Edward F., and Mrs. Ida Moe, all of Silver City. Mr. Grete is an old and highly respected member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows fra- ternity.
GRETE, MRS. WILHIMINA, was born in New York city in 1843, and went to California in 1861 in company with her sister, Mrs. John Grete. She was united in marriage to Mr. Frederick Grete, Sr., in 1862, and removed with her husband to Silver City in 1865. Mrs. Grete is a Past Noble Grand in the Rebekah branch of Odd Fellowship, a member of St. James' Guild, and has always been one of the foremost in charitable work.
GRETE, JOHN, SR., was born at Hanover, Germany, on April 25, 1832. Came to the United States in 1849, locating at New York city. He
John Grete, Sr.
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Mrs. Mary Grete.
Joseph C. Gross
John Hallenbeck
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was married in 1856 to Miss Mary Koinmann, of New York. He moved to California in 1861. Leaving his family there, in 1862 he went on a prospecting tour into Oregon, being one of the discoverers of the famous placer diggings at Canyon City. In the fall of 1862 he came to Idaho, going first to Boise Basin, and the following autumn coming to Silver City; his family joining him that fall. In June, 1864, he opened a bakery in Silver City, and conducted boarding-houses, mined and engaged in other business, until 1878, when he purchased the War Eagle hotel from V. Blackinger, and has since conducted that popular hostelry. Mr. Grete is a prominent member of the Masonic and I. O. O. F. societies.
GRETE, MRS. MARY, was born in New York City in 1841. In 1856 she was married to Mr. John Grete, Sr., and in 1861 accompanied her husband to California. During the following two years, when Mr. Grete was prospect- ing in Oregon and Idaho, she remained in California, joining him in Silver City, in the fall of 1863. They have been blessed with six children, three boys and three girls, as follows: August, Fred and John; and Mrs. Louisa Brooks, of Butte, Montana; and Mrs. Alfred Hicks and Mrs. Dr. J. Weston, of Silver City. Mrs. Grete is the popular hostess of the War Eagle hotel, and to her efforts is due much of the popularity of that popular house.
GROSS, JOSEPH C., was born in Province Neustadt Hesse Nassau, Germany, February 18, 1835. At the age of fourteen, accompanied by an uncle, he came to the United States, where he learned the shoemaker trade. In November. 1851, his cousin, Charles A. Gross, returned from California, and with him he left for the "Golden Gate," December 22, 1851, on the steamer "El Dorado." They landed at Chagres and boated up the river to a place called Gorguna, and from thence overland to Panama. Panama was filled with gold hunters, the fever prevalent and epidemic, with large mortality, everybody alarmed and anxious to leave. There being only one steamer, the "New World," in port, and several thousand persons anxious to get away at any cost, he sold his ticket at considerable of an advance, remained at Panama, and worked as waiter in the New Orleans restaurant until the following February, when he secured a passage on a French sailing vessel named the "Cinq Freres." Shortly after their departure from port, the fever broke out, and out of ninety passengers thirty-three were consigned to the deep, but the balance, after many hardships, arrived safely at San Francisco, April 9, 1852. He engaged in mining with varied success until 1864, when he struck out for Montana, but, stopping at Silver City, where he found an old partner, concluded to remain. He mined on Jordan creek with good results, and in 1867, in partnership with Chris Steuder, Jacob Dillenbach and Frank Shuster, purchased the Blue Gulch claims for $12,500.00, and also purchased the water right of John Sullivan for $4,000.00. In 1876 he disposed of his interest to Steuder and Dillenbach. Shuster having sold out previously. He then engaged in quartz mining until 1881, when he accepted the position of clerk at the War Eagle hotel, where at the present date his "honest phiz" is heartily welcomed by the patrons of that hostelry, being assured that their physical comforts will be carefully looked after by "Joe."
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Mr. Gross is a prominent member of the Masonic and I. O. O. F. frater- nities, his membership in the I. O. O. F. dating from 1870, and the Masons from 1871, and in both orders he has had the honor of having filled some of the highest offices.
HALLENBECK, MR. JOHN, whose portrait appears upon this page, furnishes us with the following interesting narrative of his life, which we present to our readers in its original language:
"I was born in Albany, New York, October 24, 1830, and at an early age my parents removed five miles east of Syracuse, New York, to a small town called Orville, locating forty acres of land. In my early boyhood I was instructed in farming, and schooled during the winter, and while yet a tender youth engaged in and soon controlled a grocery store at the mouth of Orville (feeder on the Erie canal), where I remained about three years, so much in the confidence of my employer that you may say I controlled the management of the business. The state was building an aqueduct at that place, and the house boarded all of the officers of the enterprise. The superintendent took quite a fancy to me, and at the completion of the works he went to the Delaware & Chesapeake canal as superintendent, it being a canal connecting the Delaware river and Chesapeake bay. He soon sent for me, and I left the old grocery for Albany by rail, at which place I took passage on a steam propeller down the Hudson river to New York, from there up the Raritan river to New Brunswick, where we entered the Delaware & Raritan canal, passing through to Bordentown, to the famous Delaware river; down its waters to Philadelphia, where we changed steamers for the Delaware & Chesapeake canal, where I was employed until its completion. The work consisted of enlarging three locks, one at the Dela- ware entrance, one at St. George, about midway, and the other at the north end of the canal, into Black creek or Chesapeake bay. My work consisted in overseeing the construction of the large reservoir adjoining the exit lock. After the completion of the work, accompanied by a co-laborer named Rowe, I took passage on a steam propeller and visited Baltimore, Norfolk, Richmond and Washington, sojourning at the latter place a while, taking in the sights, including the Washington monument, which I ascended as far as then com- pleted. I then returned home via Baltimore and Philadelphia, where, after remaining a few days, I received a communication from my friend Hamilton, requesting me to come to Buffalo, where he was superintending the enlarging of the Erie canal, at Black rock. On the completion of the work, a year later, I returned to Weedsport, New York, where I was employed in the same capacity for two years, with one Charles Reed, one of nature's noblemen. I worked for him as foreman a short time, and then we contracted together, made money, but spent it quite as freely. Then, as the work there was nearly completed, I went into the engineer's corps, as leveler, on the enlargement, dur- ing the fall of 1858.
"The Pike's Peak excitement then broke out, and I concluded to try my chances as a miner; so in the following spring I and a fellow named Benham left for the West. Benham did not have any money, and he made me the proposition that if I would take him with me that he would give me one-half of what he might earn or make for two years, to which I agreed, and
William Hamilton.
William Hardiman.
Patrick Hardiman.
Simon Harris.
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in March, 1859, we left Weedsport for Illinois, where my parents then resided, and there we engaged our passages on ox teams bound for "Pike's Peak or bust," with two parties for Port Byron named Duffee and Addison. While I was with my people preparing for the trip, I was accidentally shot through my right arm, which laid me up a few weeks; and long before my arm was well I had to start, as the parties could wait no longer, they having waited then some days. So, with regrets and the prayers of my friends, I launched out for the El Dorado, and through mud, snow, slush, bad roads, a six weeks' trip through Iowa, storms innumerable, we arrived at the Missouri river, at Plattsmouth, where we met the tide returning and the diggings proclaimed a humbug. I almost forgot to mention that, in crossing Iowa, we traveled most of the time in a train of Wisconsin boys, a band of musicians, who were a jolly crowd, and their captain's name was George Pierce, who had been across the plains several times. This party left home for California direct-no Pike's Peak in theirs. They went to Council Bluffs, while we went down the river twenty- five miles.
"Well, as soon as the Peak was pronounced a humbug, our captains of the ox teams got sick and turned about, refusing to refund us our passage money; but I brought them to terms, and as we did not want to return, we con- cluded to overtake our California friends: We went to the stage office at Glen- wood, twenty-five miles distant from Council Bluffs, and engaged passage. The stage came into Glenwood : at:12130, and: left at 1:00, but was over- loaded and could not carry us; and, as we were anxious to make all speed possible, so as to overtakesthe Californians, we concluded to foot it to the Bluffs, a twenty-five mile .. walk over rolling prairie and a moonlight night. The stage kindly took over our little baggage, and we, each with our rifles over our shoulders, struck out. It was 1:00 in the morn- ing when we left Glenwood, and at 8:00 o'clock the following morn- ing we were at the Bluffs; and I was so tired that, although hungry, I could not cat, but took a cup of coffee and ordered a hack to take us to the river. When we clambered up the bluffs at Omaha, the California party were just pull- ing out for the long trip across the plains. There were twenty wagons in the outfit, fifty-seven men, three women, and a few children, and the party was commanded by Captain George Pierce. I engaged passage to Hangtown for the two of us, paying $120.00. We could ride all the way in a special wagon, fitted up for ten persons, as passengers, and all we had to do was to take our turn standing guard, my turn coming once a week. Our trip across the plains was full of exciting scenes, Indians and stampedes, stampedes and Indians, for nearly three and a half months, and we arrived at Placerville on September 8, 1859, having left Omaha May 22, 1859. After stopping a week at Placerville, we all left together for Sacramento, where we remained a week, and I went through at Rondo, borrowed $20 from Captain Pierce, and we struck out for San Francisco, and from there to Portland, by steamer Panama, arriv- ing there at the time when General Scott was on his way to settle the San Juan affair (54 degrees 40 minutes, or fight). I had all the money for the two of us ($5.10), and we went to the Columbia hotel to board, where one of the pro- prietors told us we could stop until we obtained work; but I soon saw that we were piling up a debt that would have to be paid some day, so I said to Benham that we must go to work at something, and, nothing else showing, I pur-
8
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chased an outfit for wood-chopping, on credit, and took an empty cabin in the Penitentiary gulch, and commenced. The first week we two together cut thirteen cords; then my partner, not being satisfied with his lot (being opposed to hard labor), concluded he would return to California, where he had a brother somewhere, so he left me, after I divided my blankets with him, taking steerage passage to California, and I never heard of him afterwards.
"The next week, alone, I put up thirteen cords of wood, at $1.75 per cord, making money pretty fast, and all the time in Oregon mist. After about one month, I obtained a position in Abrams & Hogue's saw mill, tail sawing, then turning screws; and in the spring of 1860 the sawyer left, and Abrams told me I must take the saw, he keeping the saws in order and I sawing out the bills that he brought in; and I got along well until the spring of 1861, when I left him for the Oro Fino mines, where I worked all summer, and returned to Portland for the winter. In the spring of 1862, I, together with Kirkpatrick, George Hay, and a lot of others, crossed the Blue mountains and discovered the camp where Auburn, Oregon, is now located; but, not liking the prospects, I went from there to Walla Walla, Lewiston and Florence, and after a short stay there I went across the country, by way of Clearwater, to Oro Fino, where I purchased a claim, made some money, and in the fall returned to Portland, where I laid around awhile, when Mr. Abrams asked me if I did not want a job; I said yes, as it was getting monotonous, and he sent me to The Dalles to tend his office and lumber yard.' In the spring he offered to take me in as a partner, but I could see nothing but a good raise in the mines, so I put out for Auburn again, and when I arrived there the excitement was Boise basin and the Owyhee mines. 1 reached Owvhee county March 22, 1864, and here I am. Oldtimers know the rest. Yours truly, JOHN HALLENBECK."
HAMILTON, MR. WILLIAM, was born in Sandusky City, Ohio, August 28, 1835. His parents moved to Jacksonville, Illinois, when he was about six years old, and he remained there until he was twenty-three years old, mainly engaged in farming.
In 1858 he went to California, arriving at Honey Lake valley in the fall of that year, and engaged in the cattle business. In 1866 he arrived in Owyhee county, and was for several years engaged in delivering cattle for Hoffer & Miller, at Silver City.
In 1880 he located at Reynolds creek and engaged in ranching. From 1884 to 1887 he was in the livery-stable business at Silver City, but since that time his health has been impaired, and he has not actively been engaged in any business. At present resides at Democrat, where he holds the position of accountant with D. D. McDonald.
Is not a member of any societies, but served as county commissioner of the third district during the term of 1885-6.
HARDIMAN, MR. WILLIAM, was born in county Clare, Ireland, November 4, 1841, and left that country in March, 1854, arriving at New Orleans May 2, 1854. Secured a position as clerk in a grocery house, and devoted his spare time to study. Clerked in various parts of the South, prin-
AMBIEN RAFPREKASNOSR
William S Harley.
Sam Heidelberger.
NILLLAMOON HAFFNER, DENVER
Richard S. Hawes.
Charles M. Hays.
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cipally at New Orleans, until 1861, when he was appointed messenger with the Southern Express Company, running from New Orleans to Houston, Texas, which position he held until the capture of New Orleans, in 1862. He then clerked for about a year, and left New Orleans November 27, 1863, bound for California via New York, and arrived at San Francisco December 14, 1863, where he clerked for Ackerman Bros. until the fall of 1865, when he started for Idaho, arriving at Silver City September 9, 1865. He at once engaged in the general merchandise business, under style of "William Hardiman," which he successfully continued until 1884, when he closed out the same. He then engaged in the stockraising business at his ranches on Pickett, Castle and Boulder creeks, which he has since continued, in partnership with his brother, Patrick, under the style of Hardiman Bros.
Mr. Hardiman was married in San Francisco, on June I, 1874, to Miss Mary Hosmer Smith. His wife and five children, three sons and two daughters, reside in San Francisco. They have one child buried in Silver City.
He is a successful merchant and one of the leading citizens of the county, honored and respected, and of high commercial probity.
HARDIMAN. MR. PATRICK; was born in the county Galway, Ireland, near the town of Ballinasloe, in the month of March, 1843. Was engaged in farming up to 1860, when he left that country for America, coming direct to Silver City, where he arrived July 10, 1869. Clerked for his brother, William Hardiman, for about six years, when he engaged in stockraising, in which he was joined by his brother a few years subsequent.
He is of the firm of Hardiman Brothers, well-known stockmen of this county, and is highly honored and respected by those who have had the good fortune to make his acquaintance.
HARRIS, MR. SIMON, was born in Southwestern Wisconsin, near Min- eral Point, on April 18, 1851, and at an early age worked in the lead mines at that place. Emigrated to Idaho in 1872, arriving in Silver City about the sixteenth of October, and went to work in the mines on War Eagle mountain. Worked in the Golden Chariot in 1873-4, when it was a great producer. Stock went up to $22.00 to $24.00 per share. Miners were paid by the foot in drilling. and the old mountain was booming. He was elected president of the Fairview Miners' Union in March, 1875, and six months later that organization boasted of 1,500 members in good standing. Mr. Harris was treasurer of the union the following term. Was married in Silver City on December 5, 1880, and a few weeks later left for Arizona, remaining there a short time, and then visited Washington, D. C., and his old Wisconsin home. In July, 1881, he took charge of the Black Jack mine for a short time, and was foreman of the Trade Dollar mine from 1892 to August, 1893, when he quit and went East, taking in the World's Fair at Chicago, and the sights at Washington, returning in May. 1894. At the general election in 1896, Mr. Harris was elected a justice of the peace of Silver City. At the formation of the Silver City Miners' Union in August, 1896, he was elected vice-president of the same, and to the office of recording secretary in 1897. Mr. Harris joined Iowa Lodge, No. I, I. O. O. F., of Wisconsin, in September, 1872, and received the third, fourth and fifth
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degrees after his arrival at Silver City, in Owyhee Lodge No. 2, I. O. O. F., which he afterwards joined, and which he represented in the Grand Lodge in 1888. In November, 1875, he was a representative to the Grand Lodge, I. O. G. T., from Fairview. Mr. Harris is also a Mason, serving Silver. City Lodge No. 13, A. F. & A. M., as W. M. in 1892, and Cyrus Chapter No. 2, R. A. M., as M. E. H. P. in 1897.
HARLEY, MR. WILLIAM S., was born in Lincoln county, Maine, September 15, 1821. When a boy his parents moved to Ohio, and subsequently to Illinois. At the age of twenty he went to Missouri, where for about nine years he was overseer over 1,000 negroes on the plantation of his uncle, William Hunt, and during that time was also the plantation physician. In 1851 he returned to Illinois, and was married to Miss America Leadley. In 1852 he crossed the plains with his family, and settled in Southern Oregon, engaging in the dairy business. In 1861 he moved to Florence, Idaho, and in 1864 went to Idaho City, where he engaged in the dairy business. In the fall of 1865 he was elected a representative to the territorial legislature, the first session held in the territory. In the fall of 1873 he moved to Silver City. Was for eight years consecutively county assessor and tax collector, from 1879 to 1887. In 1890 he moved to Bruneau valley and engaged in farming and stockraising, and served as county commissioner for the third district for the term of 1891-2. He departed this life January II, 1894, at Mountain Home. He was the father of Mrs. F. M. St. Clair, and Mrs. John McCabe (deceased), of Silver City; Mrs. George T. Miller and Mrs. Sol Walters, of California; Mrs. Green White, of Boise City; Mrs. W. F. Sommercamp, of Weiser; and Mrs. J. D. Whitson and Miss Ida Harley, and Messrs. A. J. and Will Harley, of Bruneau valley.
HASTINGS, MR. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, was born in Vicksburg, Mississippi, in the year 1848, and in 1852, with his parents, he removed to California, where he received his early education, finishing it in Europe. He came to Owyhee county in 1868, and spent about a year in mining. He then returned to San Francisco, and accepted the position of receiving teller in the banking house of John Sime & Company. During the Pioche excitement in 1870, he followed the crowd, and spent about four years in that locality. In 1875 he returned to Silver City, and has been here ever since. In 1886 he was elected sheriff of the county, and at the expiration of his term was re-elected. Last election he was elected to the position of state mine inspector with a large plurality.
HEIDELBERGER, MR. SAM., was born July 6, 1845, in Philadelphia, Pa. Attended the public schools until twelve years of age, when he com- menced clerking. Went to California in February, 1862, leaving for Portland, Or., in July of the same year, where he clerked and kept store until February, 1864, when he went to Pioneer City, Boise basin, and opened a store there. Came to Silver City in June, 1866, with a capital of one Mexican dollar, which he still retains for a pocket piece. Peddled chickens and vegetables and worked at odd times as "devil" in the Avalanche office. Opened store first in Silver City in 1872, but lost heavily in mining stocks that season. Suffered
MOSS ENG CO N.Y
W. J. Hill.
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severe losses in book accounts again in 1876, by the closing of the big mines. After a hard struggle against heavy odds, Mr. Heidelberger has worked up to the front rank of merchandising, and has a large store and varied stock. He was married in February, 1879, to Miss Louise Block, of Boise. He is a member of both the Masonic and Independent Order of Odd Fellows societies.
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