An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho, Part 126

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 126
USA > Idaho > Nez Perce County > An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho > Part 126
USA > Idaho > Shoshone County > An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho > Part 126
USA > Idaho > Latah County > An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho > Part 126

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On September 12, 1867, Mr. Bentley married Miss Bidsey A .. daughter of Jackson and Amanda (Bond) Johnson. Mr. Johnson was born in Virginia, on No- vember 14, 1825, removed to Illinois with his parents, enlisted in Company F, Ninety-ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry in 1862, took part in the siege of Vicksburg, went down the Mississippi to New Orleans, where he contracted a pulmonary disease from which he died on June 15, 1885. The mother of Mrs. Bentley was born January 22, 1829, in Tennessee, Shelby county, removed to Illinois with her parents and now lives at Whitebird, Idaho county. Mrs. Bentley was born on April 13, 1850, in Pike county, Illinois, and has six brothers and sisters: John, Minerva Cain, Douglas, Harison. Nellie Thompson, Arminta Schmadeka. The following named children have been born to this mar- riage: Viola Sidden, born April 12, 1869; Violetta, born March 23, 1870, and died October 4, 1886; Francis H., born October 6, 1872; Lelia Inghiram, born May 15, 1874: Lizzie Brady, born February 28, 1878; John A., born April 6, 1880; Ray, born May 10, 1882, died September 27, 1883; Ernest O., born August 13, 1884; Harley R., born September 30, and died January 15, 1891; Austin, born September 24, 1889, and died February 5, 1891 ; Minnie, born May. 19, 1892. Mr. and Mrs. Bentley are Republicans and take an intelligent interest in the affairs of the political realm. He is a member of the G. A. R. and they both belong to the Christian church.

TELON E. ECKLAND is one of the leading stockmen of Idaho county ; he has achieved his pros- perous position by the meritorious labors of his hands and the industry and skill of which he is possessed.

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HISTORY OF NORTH IDAHO.

He was born in Sweden, on May 21, 1869, the son of Aderius and Nellie (Nelson) Eckland, born in Swed- en, in 1839 and 1837, respectively. They still live in Sweden. Our subject was educated and reared in his native land until eleven and then came to America with an uncle. They located in Iowa, where he at- tended school for four years more. In the spring of 1884 he came to Camas prairie with his uncle, Nels Swanson. He took his present place as a homestead and has added to it until it is three hundred and sixty acres. Mr. Eckland has devoted his attention to gen- eral farming and raising stock until the present time. He has his place well improved and owns one hundred head of cattle, as many hogs and plenty of horses to handle his property.

Mr. Eckland has the following brothers and sis- ters : Ole, Annie, Pearson, Johanna, Swante. Mr. Eckland is a good Democrat and active in progression in substantial improvements. He is a real worker for better schools and roads.

JOHN A. HANSON. For more than a decade, the subject of this sketch has been in business in Grangeville operating a first-class photograph gal- lery here and because of his skill and excellent busi- ness methods is favored with a thriving patronage.

John A. Hanson was born in Denmark, in 1854, the son of P. H. and Christine ( Hanson) Hanson, both natives of Denmark and now living there. The father was born in 1836 and the mother is now aged seventy- two. Our subject attended the public school, gradu- ated from high school and remained in his country until he had grown to manhood. Then being ambi- tious for the opportunities to be found in this coun- try, he came hither when nineteen. Settlement was made in New York, then a year was spent in La Salle, Illinois, and in December, 1874, he came to Cali- fornia. In Oakland he learned thoroughly the art of the photographer and followed that business in the northern part of the state for some years. He was at Susanville and also traveled during the summers. In 1883 Mr. Hanson married Miss Fannie Strehley, born in Fredericksburg, Virginia. General Hancock had his headquarters on her father's plantation during the Rebellion and she experienced the horrors of war, be- ing in the path of the contending armies. After the war, Mrs. Hanson spent most of her time in Wash- ington, D. C., until coming to California. She has five brothers and one sister, while Mr. Hanson has one sister and three brothers. In 1890 Mr. Hanson came to Moscow and there entered into partnership with Mr. Erickson, the firm being Erickson & Hanson. They had been in partnership in California under the name of Hanson & Erickson. In 1891 Mr. Han- son came to Grangeville, still continuing the partner- ship and later dissolved the same and opened on his own responsibility. Mr. Hanson has given attention to writing for the magazines and has done much work for illustrating, which gives him a magnificent col- lection, perhaps the finest in the state. The views are

of the noted places in the northwest, scenes and bat- tle grounds of the country and are valuable. Mr. Hanson is a member of the I. O. O. F., and has passed all the chairs. He was a delegate to the grand en- campment for three successive years. He is also a member of the Red Men. Mrs. Hanson is a member of the Episcopalian church. Mr. Hanson owns con- siderable property and is one of the leading business men of the town and stands well.

JOHN A. WOOD. The firm of Pearson & Wood is well known in Grangeville, being leading druggists there. Both of these gentlemen are also natives of Idaho county and are sons in whom the county takes pardonable pride. John A. Wood was born at Free- dom, Idaho county, on March 15, 1877, just prior to the stirring scenes of the Nez Perces war. His parents are Charles B. and Elizabeth (Green) Wood, natives of Massachusetts and Maine, and born in 1846 and 1852, respectively. The mother came to the west in the early sixties with relatives and is now dwelling in Grangeville. The father was a merchant and died in 1898, an honored and prominent man. In the ear- ly 'fifties he went to California with his father and mined. In 1862 they came to Idaho, he being then sixteen. They soon settled at Freedom and he took up the mercantile business. Mr. Wood, the father of our subject, was in charge of a company of volun- teers at Slate creek and built a stockade. It was here that the Nez Perces squaw, Tolo, rendered the valna- ble service which made her a bright name in history. She notified the whites at Freedom, then rode to Flor- ence and brought a squad of sixteen men to assist in defending the stockade. Our subject's uncle, Charlie Cone, met the three Indians who shed the first blood of the war, having killed Elfers and Breck- inridge at the John Day ranch. They told Cone what they had done and advised him to go home and mind his business and he would not be molested. Taking them at their word, he rode away and they did not shoot him in the back, but he was careful to keep an eye on them. Our subject spent the first seven years of his life in Freedom and then the family came to Grangeville, the father entering business there. He was a prominent man and in 1890 was elected sheriff of the county. John A. received a liberal education from the common schools and the Methodist academy and at the end of his school days he commenced the fas- cinating occupation of mining in the Salmon river country. He was in the various leading camps and in 1898 came out to enlist in the cause of his country in the Spanish war. He was in service seventeen months, being one of the Idaho volunteers. He took part in the capture of Manila and also was in the leading engagements during the time he was there. Mr. Wood was one of the number who held the Guada- loup church, two hundred and fifty of them holding at bay three thousand. five hundred of their enemics. He started home on July in Francisco on 3I, 1800, and arrived San

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HISTORY OF NORTH IDAHO.

September 26. In December, 1901, Mr. Wood formed his present partnership and has contin- ued at this line since. Mr. Pearson is in charge of the business in Grangeville mostly while Mr. Wood devotes his attention to the mining properties of the firm. Mr. Wood has two sisters and four brothers: Anna C. Norwood, Laura E., James G., Charles H., Harry E., Frank. He is a member of the K. P. and also of the Episcopal church. Mr. Wood is an ac- tive and well informed Democrat.

A. FRED CURTIS. This genial young man, who is proprietor and operator of the Whitebird ferry, is one of the enterprising men of the valley, conducts a thriving business and maintains an excellent stand- ing in the community. He was born in Riley county, Kansas, on March 12, 1877, the son of George W. and Ella (Waugh) Curtis. The father, who was a mer- chant, was born in New Jersey, in 1852 and now lives on Rapid river. He crossed the plains in 1879, did saw milling in Montana, operated a hotel in Prairie City, Oregon, and later went to raising stock. He en- listed as drummer boy in the Civil war but his father took him out of the ranks. The mother was born in Iowa in 1857. Our subject was with his parents in their various moves and received most of his educa- tion in Oregon and Idaho. He settled in Idaho in 1888 and at once went to riding the range for stock. He selected his homestead, between the ferry and Whitebird, where he now lives. Mr. Curtis rode the range for six years and then went to raising stock for himself. His father established the ferry in 1892, which in 1898 our subject bought and since that time he has paid attention to running it. His homestead is the old worshiping place of the Indians and posses- ses some ancient fortifications. It is the place where the Indians crossed when pursued by General How- ard.

In 1898 Mr. Curtis married Miss Eliza, daughter of James and Mary Nash, of Irish descent and now living in Kansas. Mrs. Curtis was born in Kansas, in 1880. Mr. Curtis has four sisters, Mattie Rossiter, Elva Dorman, Pearl Irwin, Lulu Caruthers. Three children have been born to this marriage, Blanche, Grace, Genevieve. Mr. Curtis is an active and in- fluential Democrat and one of the prominent young men of the section.

FRANK Z. TAYLOR, a substantial and capable business man of Whitebird, is at the present holding the position of justice of the peace and United States Land Commissioner, while also he is a notary public and does a general transfer business.

Frank Z. Taylor was born in Grant county, Wis- consin, on April 5. 1849, the son of John A. and Sar- ah ( McKanzie) Taylor. The father was born in New York in 1825 and now lives in Walla Walla. He is a bridge builder and established a ferry near Port-

land in 1854, which he operated until 1864, when he established a toll bridge. He represented Washing- ton county there in the legislature several terms. The mother was born in 1825 in Kentucky and now lives in Wallla Walla. The family crossed the plains to the Willamette valley in 1852 with ox teams and the younger days of our subject were spent there, being filled with worthy endeavor as one will notice when we understand that he gained a good education, fin- ishing the same in McMinnville college, and also mas- tered the brick layers' trade before he was twenty. Then he got married and settled. He has farmed and raised stock in various places since then and has been engaged in different occupations. In 1878 Mr. Taylor left Oregon and came to Walla Walla. Six years later he removed to Pomeroy and worked at his trade. Then we see him in Moscow occupied with mining for two years. In 1894 he came to Whitebird and took land. In 1898 Mr. Taylor opened a hotel there and did a good business until 1903, January 17, when he sold and since then has devoted himself to handling his other business. He owns various properties and some in town.

On August 4, 1869, Mr. Taylor married Miss Mary M., daughter of Matthew Thompson, a native of Ireland and a soldier in the Civil war. Mrs. Taylor was born in Ohio, in 1849. The following named chil- dren have been born to this marriage: Frank T., Effie, john M., Walter A., Mrs. Loris Foskett, all in or near Whitebird. Mr. Taylor has three sisters and one brother : Mrs. L. L. Kelly, Mrs. Ella Meade, Mrs. Jennie Wann, John E. A niece, Miss Kelly, is pri- vate secretary to President Dole at Honolulu. Mr. Taylor is an active and influential Republican and always is a leader in the conventions and the cam- paigns. He was chairmen of the convention and while he works for his party, has never sought office, the same coming to him.

BURT L. CROSBY is one of the leading mer- chants in Idaho county and is carrying on in Grange- ville the only exclusive store of ladies' and gents' fur- nishings in this section of the country. His skill and uniformly deferential treatment of patrons, with stir- ring enterprise, have placed him in a very successful position and brought to his door a patronage that is both gratifying and the proper reward of honest effort wisely bestowed.

Burt L. Crosby was born in Kasson, Minnesota, on January 12, 1870, the son of William R. and Julia E. (Hackett) Crosby, born in New York in 1836 and in Pennsylvania in 1838, respectively. The father (lied on January 12, 1888. He had been a pioneer in Minnesota and took part in the Indian wars in that state. His father died in Andersonville prison in the Civil war and his grandfather, the great-grandfather of our subject, was a patriot in the Revolution. The mother of Burt L. died in Minnesota in January, 1898. Her father fought in the Indian wars in Min- nesota, being a pioneer ; her grandfather was a native

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HISTORY OF NORTH IDAHO.

of Scotland. Our subject grew to manhood in his native place, was well educated and then took a busi- ness course. Following that he became a salesman in a general merchandise establishment, then went to Ab- ercrombie, North Dakota, where he was bookkeeper for a corporation for five years. They handled dry goods, real estate and mining interests. He remained here until 1898, then came to the coast, after which he returned to Minnesota and for a time conducted bank- rupt sales. In 1900 Mr. Crosby established his pres- ent business in Grangeville with J. Frank Sims. This was in May and since that time Mr. Crosby has con- ducted a successful business here. Mr. Sims sold out the first of the year, 1903, eastern parties being the buyers. Mr. Crosby holds a controlling interest and is managing the business.

On March 21, 1900, Mr. Crosby married Miss Jen- nie M., daughter of William Henry, a prominent build- er in Winnepeg and now a well known farmer at Hoople, North Dakota. The parents are of Irish ex- traction. Mrs. Crosby was born near London, Can- ada, on October 25, 1870, and has the following broth- ers and sisters: George, David, William, Mrs. Char- lotte Mason. Mr. Crosby has the following brothers and sisters, Mrs. J. W. Auchinviole. Walter, J. M., Roy. Mr. Crosby is a member of the Masonic fra- ternity, of the A. O. U. W., and of the M. W. A. Mrs. Crosby is a member of the Methodist church. They are Republicans in politics and Mrs. Crosby is thoroughly interested in the business her husband is carrying on and ably assists him in his labors.

WILLIAM C. MCNUTT is at the present time county surveyor of Idaho county, being elected to that position in the fall of 1902. This was the first occasion that he ever allowed his name to be placed on the ticket and it was here on the Democratic list. Mr. McNutt is a man of great skill and experience in the intricacies of civil engineering and has held some very responsible positions in leading companies in the Unit- ed States. He was born in Craig county, Virginia, on October 6, 1862, the son of James R. and Ann ( Row- an) McNutt, natives of Virginia and born in 1828 and 1832, respectively. The father died in 1863. being killed at the battle of Cedar Creek, while serving un- der Early. Mr. McNutt was of Scotch-Irish extrac- tion and his maternal uncle, Colonel Hutchinson, serv- ed with distinction in the Revolution. The mother of our subject died in 1864. She was of German and English extraction ; her brother, John M. Rowan, was state treasurer of Virginia for several terms. This gentleman's son, Andrew S., is now captain in the Nineteenth U. S. Infantry and won marked distinction in the Cuban war. Our subject being left an orphan when two years old, he was reared and educated by his paternal grandparents. From the common to the high school he won his way and then took a thorough course in the state normal and completed his profes- sional studies when he was eighteen : however, he has delved deep into the lore of mathematics since that

time. Mr. McNutt at once accepted a position with the Nickle Plate railroad, then wrought for the Grand Trunk, the Michigan Air Line, then with Brown Howard & Company, and later went on to the Bur- lington and Northern. After this he was with the Northern Pacific and with all these companies was a leading civil engineer, and on the Northern Pacific had charge of much of their work, under C. C. Van Arsdal, the entire Palouse branch as to its tracks and bridges. When this line was completed Mr. Mc- Nutt went to Pierce, mined and prospected and in various other districts he continued in this until 1899 and the following year he opened a civil engineering office in Grangeville and has done work for the leading companies of the tributary mining camps. In Novem- ber, 1902, he was elected county surveyor as said and is giving entire satisfaction in this responsible capac- ity. Mr. McNutt has two brothers, Robert B. and Rutherford L. He is a member of the K. P. and has always been active in politics and in any movement for the advancement of the welfare of all. Mr. Mc- Nutt has considerable mining property ; he is a sub- stantial man and a public minded citizen of excellent standing.

JACOB L. WEBER, who lives three miles north- west from Denver, is one of the industrious and intel- ligent farmers and stockmen of Idaho county. He owns a half section of fertile land and handles it with becoming skill and wisdom which give him abundant annual returns of the fruits of the field. In addition to the general farming mentioned, Mr. Weber also raises about seventy head of cattle, fifty hogs an- nually, besides horses. He is one of the thrifty and upright men of his section.

Jacob L. Weber was born in Ontario, Canada, on August 30, 1841, the son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Leh- mann) Weber, born in Bavaria in 1816 and near Strassburg in 1817, respectively. The father came to Canada when sixteen, worked at carpentering and then commenced to gain land. First he had one hun- dred acres, later two hundred and fifty and then seven hundred besides fourteen hundred acres in Kansas. He sold as years went on and now lives retired in On- tario, aged eighty-six. The mother married in 1840 and died on May 3. 1892. Our subject received his education in the famous schools of Ontario and re- mained with his parents until he was twenty-four. Then he rented land and farmed until 1872, at which time he came to Marion county, Kansas, and there farmed and raised stock until 1886, when he made his way to Walla Walla and a year later went to Pataha, whence he came to Camas prairie in 1888. He bought a timber claim and homesteaded it and later acquired more land. Mr. Weber has the following brothers and sisters: Elizabeth Fischer, John, Catherine, Ging- rich, Christian. Daniel, Joseph, deceased, Mary Shel- ley, Louis, Samuel, Menno.

On July 14, 1866, Mr. Weber married Miss Caro- line, daughter of Jacob and Barbara (Studer) Jac- obs. The father was born in Alsace, in 1820, came

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HISTORY OF NORTH IDAHO.

to Canada in 1839, and to Kansas in 1873. There he remained in farming until his death, November 9, 1886. The mother was born in 1825, in Alsace, came with her parents to Canada, married in 1842 and now lives in Kansas. Mrs. Weber was born in Ontario, on May 22, 1843, and has the following brothers and sisters: George, deceased, Valentine, John, deceased, Mary, deceased, Diebold, Peter, Henry, deceased, Mike, Louis. The following named children have been born to this couple: John L., born January 4, 1867; Alice L., born March 8, 1868; George F., deceased, born February 27, 1870; An- nie M. Anderson, born January 17, 1872; Ezra M., born February 16, 1874, and now deceased ; Samuel W., born February 10, 1876, now deceased ; Elia J., born January 18, 1878; Jacob L., born Novem- ber 30, 1879; Louisiana, born July 20, 1881 ; Edwin W., born March 30, 1883; Marion, born April 28, 1888. Mr. and Mrs. Weber are members of the Meth- odist church and are always on the side of better schools and roads and general progress.

NELS SWANSON has for twenty years been one of the potent factors in the development of Ida- ho county and it is with pleasure that we accord him representation in the volume that purports to chroni- cle reviews of the leading citizens of this county. He was born in Sweden, on November 30, 1844, the son of Susan Johnson and Bettie ( Olsen) Swanson, also natives of the same country. The father was born in 1823 and died in 1881. He was a farmer and car- penter. The mother was born in 1833 and died in 1891. Our subject was reared and educated in the native land and after school days were over he gave his attention to farming his father's place until 1880. In that year he determined to leave the native land and accordingly chose Wapello county, Iowa, as his destination. For four years he wrought in that county, and in 1884 made his way to Camas prairie and its fertility and attractive resources led him to locate. He took a quarter section three miles southwest from where Tolo is now situated and since that time has devoted himself to its culture and improvement. Mr. Swanson now has a half section, owns a band of cat- tle from which he turns off about twenty each year ; he also markets about fifty hogs yearly.

Mr. Swanson has the following named brothers and sisters: Andrew, John Aderijus, Annie Crun. Mr. Swanson is a Democrat and is always active for the general welfare and good schools and roads.

OLOF P. MOBERG is one of the well known and stirring farmers and stockmen of Idaho county and now owns a half section about three miles southeast from Cottonwood, where he pursues these related oc- cupations with good success. In addition to his own land, he rents a half section.

Olof P. Moberg was born in Sweden, on June 7,

1842, the son of Jonas and Brita Moberg, born in Sweden, on January 15, 1805, and in 1802, respective- ly. The father was a lawyer and died in 1869. The mother died in 1887. Our subject received a good education in the common schools of his native place and remained with his parents until he was twenty- six. 1868 was the year in which he came to Kansas City and for four years engaged in operating a sa- loon. In 1872 he migrated to Colorado, mined at Boulder and also did a contract of furnishing ties to the railroad. In 1875 we see Mr. Moberg in Port- land in the lumber business and on April 1, 1877. he came to Mt. Idaho. He at once bought a sixth inter- est in the Pioneer Mining Company ten miles south of Newsome and devoted himself to mining. At the time of the Indian outbreak, they were warned by Cassius Day, a good scout, and thus being on the look- out were not surprised by the savages. Mr. Mo- berg continued mining until the fall of 1885 : however, the family had settled on his preemption and after 1885 he devoted himself to farming and stock raising and has continued at it since. He has one hundred and twenty-five cattle, two hundred hogs, fourteen horses and much other personal property.

On May 15. 1874, Mr. Moberg married Caroline, daughter of Carl and Ellen (Anderson) Newberg, natives of southern Sweden and born in 1825 and in 18- 35. respectively. The father was a blacksmith and died in 1892. The mother still lives in Sweden. Mrs. Mo- berg was born on November 22, 1852, and has the following brothers and sisters : Sarah Anderson. Thil- da Johnson, John M., Sophia Watson, Emma, Gus- tav. To Mr. and Mrs. Moberg the following chil- dren have been born: Charles R., born March 19, 1875: Frederic, born September 28. 1877 : Oscar, born October 4, 1881 ; Daisy, born October 4, 1885 ; Addie, born April 29, 1888; George, born November 19, 1891 ; Lillie, born June 13, 1894. Mr. and Mrs. Mo- berg are intelligent Democrats and are interested in good schools and general improvement. He is a mem- ber of the Maccabees.

BION C. WILTSE is one of the stirring busi- ness men of Grangeville and has for years been rec- ognized as one of the promoters in the advancement and interests of the country and town. He was born in Saginaw, Michigan, on February 1, 1862, the son of Jacob and Climena (Frost) Wiltse, born in Michi- gan in 1841 and Lucas county, Ohio, in 1843. re- spectively. They still live in Michigan. The father was one of the first white children born in Saginaw county, Michigan, and has been a prominent man in his section, representing his county in the state legis- lature and holding other offices. The grandfather of our subject's mother was one of the first settlers in Lucas county, Ohio. Bion C. was reared and edu- cated in Michigan and labored with his father until of age. Starting for himself he took up merchandis- ing at Ashley. Michigan, where he remained until 1891, then sold out and journeyed to Bridleville, Ore-

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An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho, Part 126

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