An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho, Part 114

Author:
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: [S.l.] : Western Historical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1524

USA > Idaho > Kootenai County > An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho > Part 114
USA > Idaho > Nez Perce County > An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho > Part 114
USA > Idaho > Shoshone County > An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho > Part 114
USA > Idaho > Latah County > An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho > Part 114

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JOHN T. CRAMBLIT. In all the principal camps of the northwest from the early day until the present, the subject of this article has wrought with winning hands many times and always accompanied with the toil, hardship and deprivations incident to early min- ing. He is a man of stabilty and substantial qualities and has a good standing, and has many warm friends.

John T. Cramblit was born in Ohio, on January 16, 1836, being the son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Lui- kens) Cramblit, natives of Maryland. The paternal ancestors came from Germany. The mother of our subject died in January, 1896. John T. was reared

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HISTORY OF NORTH IDAHO.

in Ohio and attended the high school of Senecaville, from which he graduated in due time. When twenty-six. he engaged in mercantile pursuits, which continued for seven years. In 1862 he crossed the plains and located in Auburn, Oregon, where he delved for hid- den treasure. One year later he was in the Boise basin, where three years of hard labor were spent. Then he journeyed to Portland and operated the Farm- ers' hotel for three years. Next we see him in La- grande, where, for fourteen years, he operated a drug store. Then he sold out and returned to his first western occupation, mining and prospecting. He has several good quartz claims in the Sumpter district, and, also has much other mining property. Mr. Cramblit is a member of the A. F. & A. M. at Lagrande. He has two brothers and four sisters, Eli, Alexander, Julia A. Albin, Naomi, Mary J. Albison, Elizabeth.

On March 1, 1866, Mr. Cramblit married Frances, daughter of William and Hannah (Huston) Carter. The father, who was a native of Indiana and an old Oregon pioneer, is now deceased. The mother also came from Indiana in 1862 and is now deceased. Mrs. Cramblit was born in Terre Haute, Indiana, was married in Portland, and died March, 1900, in Baker City, Oregon, leaving four children, Rosie G., wife of E. H. Ruckman, in Stites, where our subject makes his home most of the time; Clara, wife of W. M. Moore, in Baker City, foreman in the Herald office ; John, a butcher in Baker City, now living in our subject's old home; Bertie, in Baker City. Mrs. Cramblit had one sister, Catherine, wife of W. Caldwell, in Baker City.

LUCIEN TURMES resides about three miles south of Whitebird, where he owns an estate of one- half section, and devotes himself to its culture and raising stock. He was born in Luxemburg, Germany, November 6, 1867, being the son of Wenzel and Susana ( Kiser) Turmes, natives also of Germany. The father was a plumber by trade. He served five years as ser- geant in the regular Belgian army, and then came to the United States in 1869, landing in New York. The next year he came to Minnesota, and the mother arrived from the old country with the two children. Our subject was the elder and had one sister. Mrs. Margaret Culom. After a short residence in Minne- sota they moved to Yankton, South Dakota, whence in the spring of 1879 they journeyed to Ada county, Idaho, and in the fall of the next year they settled on Shoofly creek in Owyhee county, where they still live. Six children were born to the parents after coming to this country. In 1891 our subject started to seek his fortune in prospecting. Then he went into part- nership with Dennis Holland, of Lewiston, and oper- ated in the Crooks' Corral country with reasonable success for some time: then sold out. Our subject then went into partnership with James Powell, con- tinuing for three years. In the spring of 1901 Mr. Turmes bought Mr. Powell's interest and has continued since in general farming and stock raising.

On September 5, 1900, Mr. Turmes married Miss

Lizzie M., daughter of Tryon J. and Mary A. (Tier- ney) Brackett, natives, respectively, of New York and Canada. Mrs. Turmes was born April 4, 1881, in Morris county, Kansas. They have two children, Elmo J. and Aloysius Victor.

JOHN TAYLOR is one of the early pioneers of the Pacific coast, and his energy and stirring spirit have made him a leading figure in the various places where he has wrought, especially in freighting, in mining and in prospecting. Mr. Taylor was born in Massachusetts, on June 15, 1836, was educated in Chicopee Falls, and in 1855 accompanied his father and brother on the trip to California via steamer, in which the sons had the sad duty of burying the father at sea. He mined with his brother in Shasta county until 1859, then went to Sacramento and freighted. He hauled freight to Virginia City until the Union Pacific was completed in 1870. He had one of the handiest and most complete outfits on the road, consisting of eighteen mules and six wagons. It was of the size to best pay in this work, and he continued to use this until 1883, trans- porting goods from the railroad to southern Nevada, Belmont, Columbus, Belleville, and so forth. In March, 1886, he landed in Idaho county, having also spent some time in Arizona. He at once secured a homestead and also a pre-emption where he now lives and has continued here since. He sold his pre-emption later. and in January, 1903, Mr. Taylor sold eighty acres of his homestead. He is a strong Republican, is one of the substantial and highly esteemed men of the county and has hosts of friends, being well acquainted with the pioneers of this section. Mr. Taylor had one brother, mentioned in this work, and one sister, Mary, in Springfield, Massachusetts.

JACOB E. HOLBROOK is a highly respected young farmer and stockman of Idaho county, who resides five miles southeast of Whitebird. He was born on January 18, 1876, in Whitman county, Wash- ington, the son of Russell and Margaret K. (Rice) Holbrook. The parents were very early pioneers of the west, settling first in Oregon, whence they came to Whitman county. After some years of residence in that section they moved to the Salmon river country, which was about eighteen years ago. Our subject located his present homestead in 1897 and has about one hunderd acres of good land, the balance being grazing. The place is well improved with house, barn, orchard, etc., and is annually laid under tribute by the skill of Mr. Holbrook to produce excellent returns in crops. In addition to this property Mr. Holbrook has a goodly holding of cattle and horses.

On January 16, 1900, occurred the marriage of . Jacob E. Holbrook and Christie Karnes. She was born May 22, 1881, in Whitman county, Washington. To this union there has been born one child, Alberta K. Mrs. Holbrook is a daughter of John and Eliza-

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beth Karnes. Mr. Holbrook has labored for himself since he was twelve years of age and much credit is due him for the enterprise and energy that he has manifested.

LORAN D. HOFFMAN dwells about six miles northeast from Denver on eighty acres which he home- steaded on March 15, 1902. He has some cattle and hogs and is engaged in the good labor of improving his place and raising stock.

Loran D. Hoffman was born in Yamhill county, Oregon, on June 6, 1876, the son of Andrew M. and Nannie D. (Duncan) Hoffman. The father was born in Illinois, on May 13, 1848, and at the time of the Civil war enlisted in Company I, Fiftieth Illinois In- fantry, and served during the entire war, being hon- orably discharged at its close. The mother was born in Missouri, on November 9, 1847, and her father, Henry Duncan, was born in Kentucky, in 1807. She was educated for a teacher and taught in Missouri during the war. Our subject attended school and worked with his parents until he was twenty-one, and on July II, 1897, went to Goldendale, Washington, and thence to the O. R. & N. across and into Oregon, where he worked out. He walked all the way from his home and returned with five dollars, the same amount he started with. He attended school some months, then went to Oakesdale, where he harvested and worked a time, after which he went to school again at his home. We next see him in Oakesdale working, then back to school again at home. He went to work in Polk county in the hop yards and on July 19, 1901, went to Latah county, and the following fall, on No- vember 6, he made his advent into Idaho county, taking his homestead the following March. Mr. Hoffman has two brothers and five sisters, Burd O., Sidney W., Grace A., Lela E., Dora B., Jessie O., Leota L. Mr. Hoffman is a member of the I. O. O. F., of the Order of Washington, and is a staunch Republican. He is an active member of the Christian church, and stands well in the community.

JESSE G. AUSTIN. From the fertile prairies of Missouri to the rich slopes of Idaho county, the sub- ject has farmed in various places and has always displayed that skill and thrift which bring about real development and upbuilding. At present Mr. Austin is dwelling on a farm ten miles north from Clearwater, and not only handles that but also raises considerable stock, having now sixty head.

Jesse G. Austin was born in Jackson county, Mis- souri, on September 28, 1835, being the son of Robert and Eliza J. (Watkins) Austin, natives of Missouri, and born in 1811. The grandparents on both sides were pioneers in Missouri ; in 1865 the mother of our sub- ject was called hence by death. The father sold out and went to Kansas in 1867, and later to Modoc county, California, where he now lives. Our subject was edu- cated in Missouri and remained with his parents until

he was twenty-five. Then came independent action, and in 1861 he went to Pike county, Illinois, which was the home until 1867. He then journeyed to Kansas, Johnson county, where fourteen years were spent. Thence Mr. Austin came to Oregon, then to Whitman county, Washington. He purchased two hundred and forty acres four miles northeast from Oakesdale and farmed there until the summer of 1892, when he sold the property, and August saw him with his family on his present place and this has continued to be the family home since that time. Mr. Austin is prospered and is one of the respected and leading citizens of his section. He has the following brothers and sisters : James T., George E. and William H., deceased, John H., Sarah, deceased.

On January 29, 1860, Mr. Austin married Sarah A., daughter of John and Emilia (Hastings) Sellars. The father, a brick mason, was born in Pennsylvania, and settled in Pike county, Illinois. In 1845 he re- moved to Kansas, but later returned to Illinois, where he died. The mother of Mrs. Austin was born in Indiana on November 23, 1822, her parents being pioneers of that state. Mrs. Austin was born in In- diana on March 23, 1842, and has three sisters : Abbie W., Melissa Hawkins, Ella Crockett. Five children have come to bless this household: Christopher C., born December 26, 1862; William A., born May 20, 1865 ; John H., born July 16, 1867; Mary, born Jan- uary 2, 1874; Robert S., born July 5, 1877. Mrs. Austin belongs to the Christian church. Mr. Austin is a Democrat and is an advocate of first class roads and the best of schools.

GEORGE ROSSITER. Five miles east from Whitebird is the estate and home of the subject of this review. The place consists of one hundred and sixty acres of good land, the title to which Mr. Rossiter secured by the right of homestead in the early nine- ties. He has a good dwelling, fine orchard, does gen- eral farming and stock raising. He is one of the re- spected and esteemed members of society and is a man of sound principles and integrity.

George Rossiter was born on June 14, 1865, in Osage county, Kansas, being the son of Samuel and Mary (Bly) Rossiter, natives of Pennsylvania. The father came to Osage county in a very early day and in 1869 removed thence to Jefferson county, Nebraska. In 1877 he migrated with his family to Pullman, Wash- ington, and there entered land and engaged in farm- ing. In 1881 he died, being in his sixty-sixth year. The mother died in the same year. About this time our subject started out for himself. He was variously employed until 1891, when he came near his present place and entered a pre-emption, which he sold later and took the homestead mentioned. Mr. Rossiter has three sisters and two brothers: Mrs. Eliza J. Fisher, Mrs. Mary A. Horstman, Mrs. Emma Ashpaugh, Sam- uel, Stephen.

On August 25, 1891, Mr. Rossiter married Miss Mattie, daughter of George W. and Ellen Curtis. Mr.

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Curtis crossed the plains from Kansas with his family in a very early day. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Rossiter: Emma L., Samuel R., Myrtle M. and Lulu M.

EDWARD C. SMITH lives five miles southeast of Whitebird and is one of the substantial stockmen and farmers of the county. He was born December 15, 1868, in Quincy, Illinois, and is the son of Pleasant C. and Anna M. (Bidle) Smith. The father was a native of Tennessee and crossed the plains in the early 'fifties to California with ox teams, later returning to Illinois. The mother had crossed the plains and returned to Illinois, and then went by water to California, ac- companying her parents on both occasions. Our sub- ject crossed the plains with his parents in 1870 to Sonoma county, California ; they went thence in 1885 to Whitman county, Washington. From the age of five until eighteen Edward C. attended school and received a good education. He followed farming with his father until 1893, but the fall previous he took his present place as a homestead and since 1893 it has been the scene of his labors. Mr. Smith has a nice band of cattle, a good farm and is a prosperous man. This speaks well for his abilities and energies, when we understand that he started in 1893 with no cattle whatever.

On January 8, 1895, was celebrated the marriage of Edward C. Smith and Miss Esther Karnes. Mrs. Smith was born March 3. 1876, her parents being John and Elizabeth Karnes. In 1876 they came from Kansas in wagons, to Whitman county, Washington, and in 1892 they removed to the Salmon river, where they now reside. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have been blessed by the advent of two children, Lewis C. and Laura. They are people of excellent standing and have the good will and confidence of all in the community.

ALBERT GALLAWAY. The subject of this article is a miner and so successfully has he followed his vocation that he has secured a goodly competence and is now one of the substantial men of Idaho county. He was born on April 9, 1858, in Monroe county, Mississippi, being the son of George M. and Louisa T. Gallaway. In the fall of 1860 he came with his parents to Arkansas and there owing to the fact that the father took sides with the Union cause and enlisted to fight for his country and flag, the family were forced to endure great hardships. Our subject well remem- bers those days of trials and trouble. On one occasion he was asked by a Confederate soldier what he was. His reply, "I am a little boy" displayed a presence of mind and wisdom far beyond his years, but the soldier was determined to search out the political standing of the child and said, "What would you be if you were a man?" Whereupon the lad replied, "I would be a Fed." The inhuman tyrant said he would kill him and followed his word by a stroke of the sword which

bereft the boy's hat of the brim on one side and grazed his shoulder. His prompt action and alertness were all that saved his life. In 1875 the family came to Jackson county, Oregon. Our subject, though but a lad, drove a team all the way and took his share of guard duty. To test him one night the men drew the loads from his gun and a man named Church, dis- guised in a blanket, played Indian. Young Gallaway promptly exploded both caps and then sprang for another gun he had held in reserve. Church quickly called a halt and decided that the lad had courage enough to attend to guard duty. The family removed from Jackson county to Yakima county, Washington, in 1876. Two years later they settled near Palouse, and in 1882 our subject went to Missoula county, Montana, where he was assistant foreman in the con- struction of telegraph lines for a year and a half. In December, 1883, he located at Whitebird, his parents having previously come hither. Mr. Gallaway followed farming, mining and riding the range and especially in mining has he been very successful. Since child- hood Mr. Gallaway has been a real nimrod. The wild turkeys were the first game that he bagged and the first winter he came to this county he killed eighty- seven deer during the hunting season. He also killed thirteen elk, eleven of them being killed on one day with eleven shots. His experience in bear hunting, his narrow escapes and thrilling adventures, would make a volume in themselves. Mr. Gallaway is now devoting his attention to the development of mining property.

STEPHEN K. MAHURIN is not only one of the enterprising citizens of Idaho county but is also a veteran of that great struggle wherein he fought to preserve the union and our free institutions. He is a deserving man and justly claims a position in this connection. Stephen K. Mahurin was born on March 14, 1845, in Grayson county, Kentucky, being the son of William H. and Anne (Dewees) Mahurin, both natives of the same county. The father was born on January 28, 1816, and died in his seventy-sixth year in Graham county, Kansas. The mother was born on July 16, 1821, and died in her seventy-fourth year in the same county as her husband. At the age of nine our subject came to Brown county, Illinois, with his parents, and thence to Linn county, Missouri. On October 19, 1863, he enlisted in Company G, Sixth Iowa Cavalry, and was sent to protect the traffic on the Upper Missouri river. On July 28, 1864, he was in a battle with the Sioux Indians which lasted from daylight until five P. M., and so fierce was the struggle that they were unable to obtain any refreshments during this long and trying period. He was in many other skirmishes and battles with the savages and had some very narrow escapes, but was never wounded. How- ever, he was once struck with a spent ball. At the close of the war he was honorably discharged and is now a member of the G. A. R.

On August 17, 1869, Mr. Mahurin married Miss Anna L., daughter of Obadiah and Jane R. (Clark)

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Austin, born in Kentucky on June 4, 1807, and on August 3, 1810, in Missouri, respectively. They were pioneers of Henry county, Missouri, and the father died there on January 14, 1853. Mrs. Mahurin was born in Henry county, Missouri, on April 15, 1847. Our subject journeyed with his family to Iowa, thence to Nebraska and in 1888 he came to the Grande Ronde valley, Oregon. One year later he moved to St. Marys, Idaho, and two years subsequently came to his present home, five miles east of Whitebird. He located a good homestead and has devoted himself to its improvement together with handling cattle, horses and hogs. The place is supplied with plenty of water, has two large barns and other valuable improvements. Mr. Mahurin is a staunch Republican and has always taken an active part in the campaigns as well as in educational matters, being now clerk of the district. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Mahurin : Sterling P., Violet, deceased, Stephen L., James W., deceased, Thomas C., Ada Bender, and Daniel W.

STONEWALL J. CRAIG. Among the substan- tial and capable men who have weathered the pioneer days of Idaho county and whose labors have made her the prosperous division that she is today, we are con- strained to mention the subject of this article, who has a fine farm one-half mile east from Morrow, which he took in the eighties and has made his home since. He raises general crops and cattle, horses, and hogs, being thrifty, industrious and successful in his labors.

Stonewall J. Craig was born in Callaway county, Missouri, on September 7, 1863, being the son of Joseph L. and Mary E. (Jones) Craig, who are men- tioned elsewhere in this volume. His early life was spent in the native place and there he received his edu- cation. At the age of twenty-four, it being 1887, he came west to Spokane and followed the real estate business for one year, after which he came to his present place in Idaho county and settled, having explored the country previous to this. His parents came across the country the next spring and settled near Cheney, Washington, leasing land while also they took a place adjoining that of our subject and remain there still. Mr. Craig at once took up general farming and raising stock and has steadily devoted himself to it since. He had made up his mind to take a further educational course, but about that time he met Miss Maude W. Rice, and he changed his mind, and on December 24, 1891, Miss Maude Westlake Rice and Mr. Craig were made husband and wife. Mrs. Craig is the daughter of William M. and Sarah M. (Westlake) Rice. The father was born in Troy, New York, June, 1844, came to Lewiston in 1882, then on to Idaho county, and is now operating a commission establishment in Seattle. In 1894, Mr. Rice established the town of Westlake, naming it from his wife. His ancestors were pioneers in Massachusetts and were prominent in the Revolution. Mrs. Rice was born in New York city in 1847. Her father was an Englishman and came to the United States when young. Her mother was a

member of the Quakers and was of Dutch extraction. Mrs. Craig was born in Brooklyn, New York, on No- vember 26, 1872, and has the following brothers and sisters : John B., Mary L. Harford, Florence M., Grace, William C., Archibald, Ernest. Mr. Craig's brothers and sisters are mentioned elsewhere in the volume. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Craig : Charles H., Elsie, Joseph L., Jennie A., and Mary K. Mr. Craig is a member of the I. O. O. F. at Morrow and of the M. W. A. in Westlake. He and his wife are members of the Methodist church. He is justice of the peace in Westlake township. Mr. Craig is a true blue Democrat and labors hard for success in the campaigns. His party desired to nom- inate him for state senator but he refused and they, without his knowledge, nominated him for sheriff, but the ticket went down. He has over a half section of land and is well-to-do.

EVERETT G. DEARDORFF is a young man of promise and although he is not one of the earlier pioneers, still he comes to Idaho county with that capability and energy which will materially augment the building force and advancing spirit of the county. He was born in Callaway county, Missouri, on De- cember 17, 1879, the son of James R. and Rebecca (King) Deardorff. The father was born in Ohio, on October 6, 1859, and is now a farmer, also operates a saw mill and a grist mill. The mother of our subject was born in Illinois, was bereft of her parents when an infant, and she died in 1886. Our subject was a con- stant attendant on the common schools between the times of farm work up to 1897, then he went to Illi- nois, and was rejected when enlisting for the Spanish war on account of his youth. Returning home he remained until the spring of 1899, then wrought on government work on the Mississippi and six months later went to Chillicothe normal school in Missouri, then returned to the government work, being foreman of the cutting crew. Later he served in the capacity of cook, then wrought in a glucose factory, then re- turned to the same normal school, after which he visited his home and on the third day of July, 1902. he came west, landing in Idaho county, where he went to work near Grangeville, on a farnı. He took the school examination and securing a certificate for teaching, chose his first school in the Redrock dis- trict, and on February 20, he finished successfully a five months' term. Three days later he began another term, at the Lamb school near Lowe and is fast making himself popular as a teacher. Mr. Deardorff has one brother, Urban, one half-brother, Earl, and one half- sister, Leota. Mr. Deardorff is a Democrat and active in the realm of political life. He has made application for a membership in the I. O. O. F. and is a popular young man.

GEORGE E. PUTNAM is one of the business men of Westlake, having now a hardware and furni- ture establishment, which he is operating with good

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success, and being a man of uprightness, he merits and receives the good will and confidence of the people.

George F. Putnam was born in Winnebago county, Illinois, on July 16, 1857, being the son of Goyne M. and Lavina (Babcock) Putnam. The father was born in New York, on January 14, 1822, and died in Jan- uary, 1902. He was a direct descendant of General Putnam of Revolutionary fame. The mother was born in Indiana in 1823 and is now living in Oregon. Our subject had a great misfortune when he was two years old that rendered him a cripple all his life, being obliged to use a wheel chair now. He was educated in Rock county, Wisconsin, whither his parents re- moved when he was a lad. He remained with his parents until thirty and with them came to Milton, Oregon, in 1889. They settled in the Walla Walla valley in July, and our subject engaged in the grocery business. He followed that business there and in Walla Walla for ten years, and in 1899 came to West- lake and entered the same business. A short time subsequent, Mr. Putnam sold out and returned to Walla Walla, only to return to Westlake in 1900 and open his present business, where he has continued since that date, doing a good business and being one of the substantial men of the town. Mr. Putnam is still a jolly bachelor and content with the quieter joys of the celibatarian. He is a member of the Seventh Day Adventist church and is a good supporter of his faith. He is interested in general progress and up- building, and is a public minded man. Politically he is a Republican. Mr. Putnam has the following named brothers and sisters: Florence L. Kelly, Myrtle E. Stron, Walter E., Harry E., Herbert E., and Katie M., with our subject at Westlake.

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An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho, Part 114

Author: Publication date: 1903 Publisher: [S.l.] : Western Historical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1524

Author:
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: [S.l.] : Western Historical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1524