USA > Idaho > Owyhee County > A historical, descriptive and commercial directory of Owyhee County, Idaho, January 1898 > Part 13
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14
For a couple of years they mined on Florida hill, and in 1880 located at Pleasant Valley and engaged in stockraising. Gave up their ranch in 1892, but still continued in the stockraising business. Are the owners of good mining property on Florida mountain, and are also engaged in wood-contracting.
PORTLOCK, MR. JOHN, was born in Shelby county, Indiana, January 22, 1833, and left there at the age of sixteen, with his parents, and moved to Fulton county, Illinois. He went to Iowa in 1855, and remained there until 1857, when he crossed the plains for California, and was engaged in mining for several years in Shasta, Trinity and Siskiyou counties. In 1862 he made a prospecting tour to Idaho, and located at Boise basin, where he mined until 1866, when he came to Owyhee county, and was engaged in mining on the War Eagle until 1882, when he located in Bruneau valley and engaged in woolgrowing and farming.
He owns two ranches in Bruneau valley, consisting of 360 acres, fenced, partly cultivated, but mostly pasture lands.
Mr. Portlock is a member of Silver City lodge, A. F. & A. M., but has never souglit an office at the hands of his neighbors.
His son, H. S. Portlock, who resides in the valley, is a native son of Idaho, and was born at Payette, Ada county.
PRESBY, MR. MILTON HARRIMAN, was born in Bradford, New Hampshire, May 19, 1821. Received a common school education, and fol- lowed the farm until he reached the age of nineteen, when he went to Boston and clerked there until 1849, when he left for California, arriving there Jan- uary 20, 1850. Was custom-house inspector for a short time at San Fran- cisco, and then struck out for the mines. After farming and mining in various parts of California and Nevada, he arrived at Ruby City, July 4, 1865, and engaged in the dairy business at Silver City, his dairy being located at Avon- dale, two miles from Silver City. Did a lucrative business there, and in March, 1870, located at Castle creek, where lie was engaged in ranching up to the time of his death, which occurred April 24, 1895.
George O. Sampson.
John Scales.
Charles E. Share.
Mrs. Dladama H. Share.
.
YORK
PUBLIC LILAARY
ASTOR, LENOX
TILDEN FOUNDATION
133
OWYHEE COUNTY, ID.1HO.
Mr. Presby was postmaster at Castle Creek thirteen years, and held the office of justice of peace in that precinct over eighteen years. He was held in high esteem by all who knew him.
PURDY, MR. OLIVER HAZARD, was born in Barre, Orleans county, N. Y., September 12, 1824. He crossed the plains in '49, and was for several years engaged in mining at the various diggings in California. Subsequently he taught school in Oregon, and when the Boise basin excitement broke out was one of the first to reach that locality.
He was a member of the "twenty-nine" party who on May 18. 1863, discov- ered the Owyhee mines, and was engaged in mining at Silver City until 1870, when he went to Utah: but returned in 1874 to Silver City, where he resided up to the time of his decease.
When the safety of Silver City was threatened by the Bannock Indians, in June, 1878, he was one of the first to enlist in the volunteer company organized for the defense of the settlements, and lost his life in the engagement with the Indians that took place at South Mountain on June 8, 1878. He was deputy auditor and recorder of Owyhee county for several years, and on the death of County Treasurer Henry Hyman, in 1875. was appointed to fill his place. He was also principal of the public school at Silver City for a good many years, was a member-of the Masonic fraternity, for several years secretary of the grand lodge of Idaho, and was a prominent Odd Fellow; was buried in the Masonic cemetery, at. Silver City .!
ROBERSON, MR." ABRAM; was born in Crawford county, Indiana, August 10, 1819. His family left there when he was seven years old, and settled in Adams county, Illinois. In 1833 he left home and settled in Wapello county, Iowa. In 1851 he crossed the plains with an ox team, and spent about five years in Oregon and California, engaged in mining. In 1856 he returned home by way of the isthmus, and remained there until 1864. when he again came West and located at Boise City. He moved to Bruneau valley in 1869, where he has since permanently resided, engaged in ranching and stockraising.
ROBERSON, MR. STEPHEN ANDREW, was born in Wapello county, Iowa, October 23, 1849. He was the son of Uncle Abe Roberson, a prominent pioneer of Bruneau valley, and at the age of fifteen, with his parents, located in Boise City, Idaho, in the fall of 1864. He followed the business of cattle- raising, and located in Bruneau valley in 186), where he resided up to the time of his demise, which occurred July 25. 1893, and was buried at Bruneau, the funeral being largely attended.
He was married at Caldwell, in 1883, to Miss Nettie Bishop, who still survives him, and who resides on the old homestead at Bruneau.
Mr. Roberson was a man possessed of sterling and popular qualities, and his carly demise was deeply deplored by his neighbors and associates.
ROWZEE, MR. J. W., was born in Madison county, Virginia, September 4. 1846. At the outbreak of the Rebellion, he espoused the cause of the Con-
134
HISTORICAL DIRECTORY OF
federacy, and enlisted in the Fourth Virginia cavalry, and served until the surrender of Lee's army at Appomattox courthouse; and after the disband- ment of the army returned to his home in Virginia. In the spring of 1871 he struck out for the West via Texas, crossing the plains with a herd of cattle belonging to George T. Miller, now of Healdsburg, California, bound for Idaho, and arrived at Silver City October 27, 1871, since which date he has resided continuously in Owyhee county, engaged in the stockraising business, and at present resides at Catherine creek, where he has a fine ranch of 160 acres, mostly under cultivation.
SAMPSON, MR. GEORGE O., was born in California in 1857, and came to Idaho with his parents in 1864, first locating at Boise. He came to Silver City in 1871, and followed engineering for about fifteen years, running some of the largest hoists in the camp. In 1893 he purchased the Silver City & De Lamar stage line, and in January, 1894, in partnership with Mr. J. C. Brown, bought out the De Lamar Livery Company, and in October, 1895, they also purchased the Owyhee livery stables, of Silver City. In October, 1896, they sold the De Lamar livery stable and the stage line to Messrs. Scott, McCain and Forney, retaining the Silver City business, which is conducted in a metropolitan manner. In 1896 they purchased the big Palmer ranch, in Pleasant valley, having about 800 acres under fence, and cutting fully 300 tons of hay the past season. They have an abundance of pasturage for their surplus livery stock, etc. Mr. Sampson represented Owyhee county in the 1888 session of the legislature. He is a member of the Masonic and K. of P. societies.
SCALES, MR. JOHN, was born in Ireland, in 1840. Emigrated to the state of Maine in 1855, and in 1868 came to Owyhee county, via the Isthmus of Panama and California. Located at Silver City, and followed mining and milling until 1877, when, in partnership with John Wagener, he purchased the Shoenbar arrastra, and the Trook & Jennings mine. The arrastra has since been run as a custom mill. In 1891 Mr. Scales discovered that a considerable amount of valuable tailings was going to waste from the big DeLamar mill, and, after making satisfactory arrangements with the De Lamar company, he purchased the Ed. Moss ranch, three miles below, upon which he excavated large reservoirs, and built a flume from the mill to the same. In 1893 he erected a "tailing mill" upon the property, and the enterprise has proven highly successful and very profitable. Mr. S. T. N. Smith, of Silver City, owns a one-third interest in the business.
Mr. Scales was married in 1879. He has served Owyhee county as com- missioner for three terms.
SCHUSTER, MR. FRANK, was born in Rhein Provinz, Preussen, December 13, 1822. At an early age he followed the sea, and on May 6, 1854, landed at San Francisco, and coasted until 1855, when he followed in the wake of the "Kern-river excitement." On his return was farming in Santa Clara valley, California, and then was placer mining in Klamath county, and other prominent diggings in Oregon, until the spring of 1862, when lie purchased a pack train at Yreka, and struck out from Umatilla for Idaho City. In
S. T. N. Smith.
William F. Sommercamp.
Lyman Stanford.
william S. Stevens.
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATION
135
OWYHEE COUNTY, IDAHO.
1866 he arrived at Silver City, disposed of his pack train, and purchased an interest in the mercantile firm of Henry Myers & Co. In 1868 he retired from business and subsequently took a ranch at Reynolds creek for an indebtedness, and has since resided there, engaged in ranching and stock raising.
SHARE, MR. CHARLES EDWARD, was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, September 29, 1835. In 1858 he handled the ribbons for the old Butter field Overland Stage Company, running from St. Louis, Missouri, to San Diego, California; and subsequently drove the stage from Virginia City, Nevada, to Austin, Nevada, until the completion of the Central Pacific railroad. Hle then held the box-seat for the Woodruff & Ennor line, running between Palisades, Nevada, and Eureka, Nevada, until 1874, when he came to Idaho and drove stage for the Northwest stage line, running between Silver City and Boise City. Retired from stagedriving in April, 1877, and opened his well- known resort, Share's stage house, where the old veteran's genial features are familiar to all those who have the good fortune to patronize his hostelry.
On June 24, 1875, he was married to Miss Diadama Harriet Dryden, daughter of Father Dryden, and the happy couple celebrated their china wedding on June 24, 1895, at which time it was the heartfelt wish of every participant that the genial host and hostess should live to enjoy their golden wedding. Mr. Share was county.commissioner. for the term of 1887-8.
SHARE, MRS. DIADAMA HARRIET; nee Dryden, was born in Linn county, Missouri, February 11, 1851, and in 1864 crossed the plains in a prairie schooner, with her father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Dryden, the family settling in Middleton, Idaho, until 1869, when they moved to Reynolds creek. where they have since resided. She is the wife of Charles E. Share, and was united to him June 24, 1875, and celebrated her china wedding June 24, 1805. amidst the felicitations and congratulations of her many friends, who unani- mously wished her the happiness of witnessing her golden wedding.
SMITH, S. T. N .. was born in Meddybemps, Washington county, Maine, on November 21, 1842. Left for California in 1863, arriving there in November of that year, and came to Silver City, Idaho, in October, 1865. On the sixth day of November he secured employment with the Cosmos company. grading for its mill building, and continued work with that company until the summer of 1868. The erection of the Cosmos mill is without precedent in Owyhee mill building. Ground was broken for the same on November o, 1865, at which time not a stick of timber or a piece of machinery was upon the ground, but the ten-stamp mill was completed and the engine started on February 14, 1866, just one hundred and one days, and that in the dead of an Owyhee winter. In July, 1868, Mr. Smith bought a half interest in F. Brain ard's Pleasant valley ranch. In November, 1871, he went back to New Eng- land on a visit, and was married at Machias, Maine, on May 19, 1872, to Miss E. Edgecomb, of that city, returning to Pleasant valley in July. Sokl out the ranch in September, 1874, to Mr. John Catlow, and returned to Silver City. where he purchased the Charles Leonard drug store, which business he con- ducted continuously until November, 1889. when he disposed of the same to M. Oberdorfer. Mr. Smith was appointed postmaster in 1888, but resigned m
136
HISTORICAL DIRECTORY OF
favor of Mr. Oberdorfer when he sold his drug store. On December 1, 1889, he purchased the Idaho hotel from Mr. T. Regan, and has since conducted this excellent hostelry. In 1892' Mr. Smith was nominated by the republican party for county treasurer, and his popularity was such that his nomination was endorsed by the democrats, and he was elected without opposition. In 1894 he was re-elected in the same manner, and in 1896 refused to allow his name to go into the convention. Mr. Smith's wife dicd July 25, 1875. On March 21, 1877, he was married to Mrs. M. E. Wilson, the present hostess at the Idaho. Mr. Smith is interested in numerous mining enterprises, and owns a one-third interest in the Scales tailing-mill business at Wagontown. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. fraternity.
SOMMERCAMP, MR. WILLIAM FRANZ, was born in Hanover, Ger- many, April 18, 1828. Emigrated to the United States, and settled at Inde- pendence, Missouri, in 1847. In 1852 he went to Albany, Oregon, and three years later took up his residence at Shasta Valley, California. Came to Silver City in 1864, and established himself in business, bringing his family here the following year. Mr. Sommercamp was prominent in the early placer mining of Owyhee, in and about old Ruby City, and constructed one of the big Florida mountain ditches, with extensive flumes, for conveying water upon his ground. He was a good business man, enterprising in all matters of a public nature, and genero' s to a fault. At the time the War Eagle mines closed 'down, owing business men and employes large sums of money, Mr. Sommercamp headed the subscription paper for the relief of destitute miners and their families, and was always foremost in works of charity. For a number of years prior to his death he had large cattle and horse interests, and a well-improved ranch on Squaw creek. He was also largely interested in mining, having a large group of valuable claims on De Lamar mountain, and the Potosi property in Silver City. The former group was afterwards purchased by the De Lamar company. After a long life of usefulness, in which he had accumulated a fair fortune, Mr. Sommercamp met with a violent death. He was at his De Lamar mines, making some measure- ments near the St. Clair shaft, and tripped and fell into the shaft. The shaft was not deep, but he evidently struck some timbers, and was dead when reached. His death, which occurred on August 7. 1890, was universally regretted, and the funeral, under the auspices of the I. O. O. F., fraternity, was one of the largest ever held in Owyhee. His wife, three sons and one daughter now reside in Weiser, this state.
STANFORD, MR. LYMAN, was born in Schuyler county, New York, February 25, 1827. He left home for California in 1859, and located at Sacramento. From there went to Red Bluff, where he engaged in mercantile business until 1863, when he went to Lewiston, Idaho, and was a member of the first territorial legislature of Idaho. In the spring of 1864 he was appointed by the governor of the territory, sheriff of Owyhee county, and was subse- quently, at the first election held in the county, elected to that position, which he held one year. Ile dicd at North Powder, Oregon, March 22, 1897.
STEVENS, MR. WILLIAM S., was born in Ross county, Ohio, July 29, 1829. In 1847 his family moved to Iowa, where his father died; and in 1850
Chris Studer.
ยท[
John R. Thomas
Eldridge A. Thompson.
William H. Townsend.
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATION
137
OWYHEE COUNTY, IDAHO.
he crossed the plains for California, with an ox team, arriving at Nevada City September 19, 1850. Mined there and in other localities until 1863, when he went to Humboldt county, Nevada. From there he struck out for the Owyhee mines, reaching there in June, 1864, and was one of the volunteers of the Jordan party, who routed the Indians in the Owyhee canyon in July, 1864, in which engagement Jordan and Carroll were killed. Ile mined in Oro Fino. Poorman and other prominent mines in the early days, and was also engaged in prospecting on his own account. In 1868 was elected sheriff of Owyhee county, and re-elected in 1870. Was married to Harriet A. Fell on October 7, 1868. They have one daughter, Mrs. E. L .. Ballard, of Silver City. In 1875 Mr. Stevens located at Flint, and engaged in the stock business, which he still follows. Was elected and served as county commissioner for the 1881-2 term. Mr. Stevens is a Masonic member.
STUCKER, MR. A. J., was born in Jefferson county, Indiana, December 14, 1828. Moved to Iowa in 1850, and crossed the plains for California in 1854. Arrived at Silver City in 1865, and, as he himself aptly remarks, "has never been out of the sight of old War Eagle mountain since." For over thirty years has been engaged in the blacksmith and wagon-building business in Owyhee county, being at present located at Guffey, this county.
STUDER, MR. CHRIS, was born in Zurich, Switzerland, in 1839. While farming in Illinois in 1859, he made the acquaintance of Jacob Dellenbach, and, at the breaking out of the Pike's Peak excitement, they struck out for that place, crossing the plains with an ox team. Meeting with disappoint- ment at Pike's Peak, they continued on to California, and located at Weaver- ville, where they engaged in placer mining. In 1865, together they came to Silver City, and took up a wood ranch until the summer of 1868, when, in partnership with Joseph C. Gross and Frank Schuster, they became the owners of the Blue Gulch gravel claim on Florida mountain. At the "Indian outbreak" in June, 1878, Mr. Studer was one of the first to vol- unteer his services, and at the disastrous engagement at South mountain. on June 8, 1878, nobly gave up his life in defense of the hearths and homes of Owyhee county. He was a worthy member of the I. O. O. F., and his funeral, which took place June 10, 1878. at Silver City, under the auspices of the I. O. O. F., was one of the largest witnessed in this locality, citizens and strangers to the number of several hundred participating in the sad demon- stration. Mr. Studer was a plain. unassuming man, and held in high esteem by all his acquaintances.
THOMAS, MR. JOHN R., was born in the Island of Anglesea, North Wales, on May 10, 1841. Commenced mining at an early age, and in 1804 emigrated to Nova Scotia, where he was engaged in mining until 1868, when he struck out for California, and for about two years was coal mining on Mount Diablo. In the spring of 1870 he went to Owyhee county, and for several years was foreman of several mining companies on War Eagle moun- tain. In 1883 he went to Wood river, and returned from there in 1896, accept- ing the position of foreman of the Florida Mountain Mining Company, which position he still holds. Mr. Thomas has had a vast and varied experience in
138
HISTORICAL DIRECTORY OF
mining matters, and is looked upon as an authority in mining circles generally. He is a member of the A. O. U. W.
THOMPSON, ELDRIDGE A., was born in Hookset, N. H., February 20, 1833. Came to California in 1857, via the Isthmus of Panama; to Elk City, Idaho, in 1862; to Boise Basin in April, 1863, and to Owyhee in June, 1864, where he has since resided. Mr. Thomson has been chiefly engaged in mining, but clerked at various times for William Hardiman, Du Rell & Moore, Sol Hearst, and others. He owns the Advalorem and Idlewild mines, on War Eagle mountain, both valuable properties. For the past eight years he has held the position of chief clerk at the Idaho hotel, for the proprietor, S. T. N. Smith, and also served as deputy treasurer for the two terms of that office held by Mr. Smith. Mr. Thompson is a valued member of the Masonic fraternity.
TOWNSEND, MR. WILLIAM HENRY, was born at Shoreham, Ver- mont, on April 12, 1832, and, with his parents, at the age of twelve, emigrated to Winnebago county, Wisconsin, where he remained until February, 1853, when he crossed the plains for California, where he mined at all the prominent mining localities until 1857. Then he engaged in ranching in Mendocino county, California, remaining there until the spring of 1862, when he joined a party bound for Powder river district, and landed in what is now called Owyhee county in June, 1863, camping on the site of what was subsequently known as Ruby City. Since then he has been engaged in mining up to about fifteen years ago, when he entered the furniture and undertaking business, in which he has since continued.
Mr. Townsend participated in the several Indian fights of the county, is a member of the I. O. O. F., and served two terms as county commissioner.
TOY, MR. WILLIAM, was born in Cornwall, England, on May 15, 1845. Received only a limited schooling, and engaged in mining at an early age. In 1862 he emigrated to America, and located in Michigan, where he mined for several years in the Phoenix and Cliff copper mines. In 1868 he came West, and, after a year mining at Virginia City, Nevada, he located at Silver City, and was engaged in mining in the Allison, Poorman and Golden Chariot mines until 1884, when he purchased a ranch at Castle creek, where he has since per- manently resided, engaged in farming and stock raising.
Is a member of the Silver City Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and also was a member of the Miners' Union at Fairview, serving as vice-president in that order in the year of 1876.
TURNER, MR. JOHN, was born in London, England, October 22, 1841. He received only a limited schooling, and at an early age followed the occupa- tion of grazier. At the age of twenty-five he emigrated to the United States, and followed various pursuits, participating in the construction of the Union Pacific railroad. In September, 1869, he located in the Bruneau valley, where he has since resided, continuously engaged in stockraising and farming.
John Turner.
John Lpham.
Louis W. Walker
Thomas J. Hest.
-
THE NL, Y.FK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATION
139
OWYHEE COUNTY, IDAHO.
Mr. Turner does not belong to any society, and has never sought any office within the gift of his neighbors, but took a prominent part in the Indian wars of the valley. He is the owner of one of the largest and prettiest ranches in the valley, a view of which we present in another portion of this work.
TURNER, MRS. EMMA, nee Footman, the wife of the well-known rancher of Bruneau valley, Mr. John Turner, was born in London, England. March 12, 1848, and was married to Mr. Turner, March 19, 1866. With her husband, she located in the Valley of the Bruneau, September. 1869, and has since that date presided over the household of the Turner family in that locality.
Mrs. Turner enjoys the distinction of being the first white lady settler in the Bruneau valley, and is the mother of William Isaac Turner, whose wife is the daughter of Wenzel Turmes, of Shoo Fly, and Miss Adelaide Turner, who resides at the Turner homestead.
UPHAM, MR. JOHN, was born in England, September 24. 1819. but his boyhood was spent in France. At the age of eighteen he came to the United States, and settled in Maine, where he followed the trade of pump and blockmaker. In 1851 he struck out for California, and resided for several years at Grass Valley, and subsequently at Dun Glen, Nevada. In 1868 he came to Silver City, making it his home, and was for several years engaged in the furniture and undertaking business. in partnership with W. H. Town- send. He departed this life May 29, 1895, after a lingering illness, and was buried at Silver City. Was a member of the Masonic and I. O. O. F. fra- ternities, Knight Templar commandery, Champion Red Cross, Temple of Honor and Sons of Temperance.
WALKER, MR. LEWIS WILSON, was born in Frederick, Maryland. October 19, 1838. Left home in 1856, and went to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, where he obtained employment as a barber, and remained there until 1859. when, with one Mr. Alden, he went to St. Joe, Missouri, and took charge of the barber shop connected with the Patee house. When the war broke out he went to Denver and opened up a barber shop there. In the spring of 1862 he left Denver, bound for the Salmon river diggings, crossing the plains with an ox team, the trip being a perilous one, the outfit being attacked by Indians on several occasions. On reaching Idaho, the Salmon river excitement having abated, he made his way to Auburn, Oregon, and from there he went to Boise basin, where he spent the summer of 1863. Returned to Auburn, Oregon, and from there struck out for Owyhee county, arriving at Ruby City in April, 1864. He opened a barber shop there, and in the fall moved to Silver City, being one of the first to erect a building there. Continued in business at Silver City until 1880, when he went to Wood river and opened a shop. remaining there until 1890, when he returned to Owyhee county and opened a shop at De Lamar, continuing there until a year ago, when he engaged in business at Dewey, where he is at present located. Mr. Walker has large real estate holdings in Silver City. De Lamar and Dewey, and has unbounded faith in the future of Owyhee county.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.